AREA HISTORY:  Landis’ Ore Bank, Monaghan Township, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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LANDIS’ ORE BANK – Page 649


The farm of Daniel Landis was first surveyed by Roger Cook, in pursuance of a 
warrant dated June 23, 1746, by Thomas and Richard Penn, Esqs., and after the 
lapse of over one hundred years, the first ore was discovered, when the land was 
in the possession of Mrs. Mary Knisely. 

An Englishman by the name of Bosworth effected the first lease on the property 
in the year 1839, but did not develop the mine, and sold his lease to ex-Gov. 
Porter, of Harrisburg, who worked it successfully and hauled the ore to 
Harrisburg on wagons for a few years, and after that to Shiremanstown, and the 
ore was shipped over the Cumberland Valley Railroad.  The Kniselys received 25 
cents per ton royalty.  About the year 1873, the farm and ore bank came into the 
possession of the present owner, and his first lease was given to H. O. Shelly 
April 18, 1874, who mined about 1,300 tons, when he sold out to Jackson C. 
Fuller of Philadelphia, January 10, 1875, for $2,500.  At this time there was 
only one opening, and no machinery; about 500 tons of ore mined.  Mr. Landis 
made a lease to J. C. Fuller, January 15, 1875, who held the property under 
lease until November, 1882, and mined about 7,000 tons of ore.  In October, 
1883, Mr. Landis leased the bank to H. O. Shelly.  The vein is from ten to 
fourteen feet in thickness.  The ore is magnetic.