New Mexico Mineral Symposium — Abstracts

The Bristol Copper Mine was the first important copper deposit developed in America. It was first investigated in 1898 and was developed, beginning in 1800. The copper it produced resulting in two major industries developing in Connecticut–the clock and brass industries.

Located on property owned by the Yale family of University fame, it experienced two distinct productive time periods 1839–1847 and 1848–1857 and produced chalcocite specimens that rival those from Cornwall.

Several Yale professors were major investors in the property including Benjamin Silliman Sr. and Benjamin Silliman Jr. Professors Whitney and Woolsey were also investors. Important studies made by Alan Baterman of Yale in the 1920s was the first time chalcocite from here was proved to be a primary not secondary mineral.