Greenwood Gold Mine

The Greenwood gold mine was situated in Prince William County, Virginia, near Independent Hill, operating until its closure in 1885. It was one of two known gold mines in the county, alongside the Crawford placer prospect located on Neabsco Creek near I-95. Additionally, small amounts of gold were occasionally found at the Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine in Dumfries. The mine lay within the Virginia Gold-Pyrite belt, which spans several counties including Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, and others.

The Greenwood site was positioned at the head of the North branch of Quantico Creek, now part of Prince William Forest Park near Aden and Bristow Roads. Mining operations involved at least one shaft, a stamp mill, and mercury amalgamation recovery processes. These activities led to significant mercury pollution in Quantico Creek, prompting comprehensive reclamation efforts. These included sealing mine shafts, soil decontamination, tailings removal, and engineered drainage structures. Groundwater monitoring is conducted by the National Park Service (NPS) and the USGS, with two active wells downstream.

By 2010, only depressions in the soil and drainage structures remained visible, with no intact buildings or equipment left. The NPS manages the area, requiring an entry fee and prohibiting rock or mineral collecting. This summary captures the mine's history, environmental impact, and current state based on available information.