If you come to Hiddenite, North Carolina, searching for riches, you may just find them. In 1879, an exploration geologist named William Earl Hidden sent samples of an oddly colored stone to a prominent chemist and mineralogist, J. Lawrence Smith. Smith found the sample to be a previously undiscovered variety of spodumene. To honor Hidden, Smith named the discovery Hiddenite, and soon after, the discovery area was renamed as well. Between 1880-1890, the area became the hub of Hiddenite mining. Mines remain to this day, and visitors can dig or pan in search of treasure. Hidden’s find was not what he set out to do. Thomas Alva Edison hired him to find new sources of platinum.

Emerald Hollow Mine is the perfect place to start. It is the world’s only mine of its type that is open to the public. Here you can find over 60 minerals and gems, including emerald, sapphire, topaz, and of course, Hiddenite. The mine has been featured on the Travel Channel, The Discovery Channel, and National Geographic. If digging is not for you, buckets of dirt from the mine can be purchased for as much as $1,000. Everything needed to get the stones out is provided, and you can have your find cut right on the premises by a certified Lapidarist and turned into a piece of jewelry.

The Adams and the North American Emerald Mines are two other well-known mines in the area. In 1882, a 1,276-carat emerald crystal was found in the Adams mine. In 1950, the crystal was stolen and never found while on display in the American Museum of Natural History. In 2003, a 1,869-carat emerald crystal was taken from the North American Emerald Mine. At the time, it was the largest emerald found in North America.

The Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center is a cultural gold mine. The center is located in the Historic James Paul Lucas Mansion. An art gallery and exhibits show off antique dolls, toys, gems, minerals, and more. The center offers workshops, classes, and summer art camps. Try the painted barn quilt class or attend one of the adult painting parties. Exhibits rotate, so you may see something new each time you come. The year’s highlight is the Hiddenite Celebration of the Arts. Choirs and dance troupes from different genres perform, including the St. Joseph Irish Dancers, Modern Latin Raza Dancers, and Brushy Mountain Line Dancers.

After a full day of entertainment, stop by the #1-rated restaurant, The Yellow Deli. It opened in 1972 as a place where locals could escape life’s pressures. Today’s patron can enjoy the Yellow Submarine and other house specialties or create their own sandwich. Make sure you try the Sweet Potato Pound Cake.

One thing about our town that’s not so sweet is pests. Ants, roaches, and spiders can ruin your day, while bed bugs keep you up at night. Don’t let the bugs take away from your Hiddenite experience. Contact At Ease Pest Solutions for more information, and let us handle all your pest control issues.