About this spot
Site of Ontario's first gold rush: Marcus Powell hit visible gold on the Richardson farm near Madoc in 1866, and the hamlet of Eldorado boomed to 80 hotels almost overnight. The mine itself produced only ~100 oz before closing in 1869 — a classic cautionary tale. Provincial plaque on site.
Before you go
Historic context point only — the old workings are on private land and there is no public panning here. View the Ontario Heritage Trust plaque from the roadside. Verify current status before visiting the area.
Source
Ontario Heritage Trust plaque 'Ontario's First Gold Mine' (ontarioplaques.com Hastings 18); Richardson Mine, Wikipedia
Marked Verified: confirmed against an official or authoritative source at the time of writing.
This guide is general information for recreational prospectors — it is not legal advice. Mining, land-access, and environmental regulations change and vary site by site. Always verify the current rules with the official sources linked above before heading out, obtain permission from private landowners and mineral-claim holders, and respect First Nations rights, settlement lands, and treaty areas — some lands require permission or are closed to panning entirely.