AREA HISTORY:  Iron Ore, Hellam Township, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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IRON ORE INTERESTS – Page 608

In certain sections of this township are rich deposits of iron, ore and large 
amounts have been taken out.  Wilton’s Bank, one and a quarter miles southeast 
of Wrightsville, was opened in 1850; about 12,000 tons of brown hematite ore 
were taken out by Henry Wilton, who leased the property of Jabez Jenkins.  It 
was afterward owned by Harris Wilton.

Benjamin Strickler’s Bank was opened about 1852 by Mr. Bahn, and then leased to 
Mr. Musselman, of Marietta, who worked it for several years.  It is now 
abandoned.

The Stoner Bank, situated three and a half miles southwest of Wrightsville, was 
opened in 1850, and from that date to 1875 there were forty-two.  Seven hundred 
and fifty tons of ore were taken out by Musselman & Watts.  Shafts were sunk at 
this bank, whose area is about three-fourths of an acre.

Rudy’s Banks are situated a half mile west of Stoner’s, and cover an area of 
about one and one-fourth acres.  This bank was opened in 1862 by Musselman & 
Watts, and worked as an open cut.  There were 9,872 tons of ore taken out here, 
which contains 41 per cent of metallic iron.

Ruby’s Bank, four and a half files southwest of Wrightsville, was opened in 
1860, and worked four years by James Meyers, of Columbia, as lessee.  The bank, 
though now caved in, was an open cut, at one place 180 feet deep.  Near by was 
Keller’s ore pit.

Hiestand’s Bank is a very large one, situated along the Glatz Ferry road.  It 
covers an area of an acre.  Large amounts or ore were taken out by Musselman & 
Haldeman as lessees.  Samuel and Jacob Dietz’s Banks were leased by Stephen F. 
Eagle, of Marietta, in 1868, and 3,000 tons of ore taken out.

Fritz’s Bank was opened, in 1864, by Meyers & Benson for five years, and 
afterward by Benson & Cattrell.  A twenty-horse-power engine and twenty men were 
employed.  The ore contained 44 per cent of metallic iron.