50 Years, 50 Legacies: George W. Davis
#7: George W. Davis
The Discoverer of Gold on Little American Island
Little American Mine. Courtesy of Koochiching County
Hearing rumors of quartz enriched with gold, prospector George W. Davis arrived at a small island near the entrance of Black Bay on Rainy Lake in July of 1893. Despite finding gold on the western side of the island, Davis struggled to secure financial investment in a mining operation because of lingering skepticism around the “fools gold” rush that had occurred nearly 30 years earlier.
Rainy Lake City, undated. Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
The next year, Davis sold the rights to a group of Duluth businessmen who formed Bevier Mining Company and began operations at what became known as the Little American Mine in January 1894. Their mining operation expanded rapidly, with a mill built in nearby Rainy Lake City processing gold valued at $30 per ton just 7 months later.
However, the mine faced operational challenges, including a lawsuit among partners in 1895 that halted production. Despite making a small but steady profit, the mine produced inconsistent results and closed two more times before its permanent closure in 1897, with only brief efforts to reopen in 1901 and 1920. Despite only being open for 5 years, Little American Mine is the only gold mine in Minnesota to have turned a profit.
The decline of the mine led to the abandonment of Rainy Lake City, which became a ghost town by 1901. Many of its residents moved to Koochiching (now International Falls) in search of new opportunities. Some of the mine's byproducts were even transported to International Falls, leading to the local boast that its streets were “paved with gold.”
Today, Little American Island stands as a historical landmark within Voyageurs National Park, just a short boat ride from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Visitors can explore the remnants of the mining era, reflecting on the brief but impactful gold rush that once transformed the region around the turn of the century.
Check out the full list of our 50 legacies!
This year, we’re celebrating 50 years of Voyageurs National Park by sharing 50 inspiring stories of the people who shaped its legacy—from the visionaries who established the park to those protecting its beauty today. Raise a canteen and celebrate this historic milestone with us at our 50th anniversary website. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more inspiring stories and updates!
