When hiking around Murphys Point, especially near the Silver Queen Mine, you might notice sparkly silver flakes on the ground. These are pieces of mica, one of the minerals that were mined here in the early 1900s. The mica mined here was excavated in its crystal form, packaged up, and transported to loading docks at Hogg Bay. There, it was loaded onto barges and shipped down the Rideau Canal to trimming factories in Ottawa to be processed. Mica does not conduct electricity and can withstand extremely high temperatures, so once split into thin sheets it was used as an insulator in electrical equipment, as well as for windows of stoves and lanterns.

During the months of July and August, Murphys Point offers guided hikes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10 AM where you can see the Silver Queen Mine for yourself! Preregistration at the gatehouse (either in person or by phone) is required as we have limited capacity. Unable to visit during the week? We also have our weekly open house every Sunday from 10AM-12PM where you can travel back in time to 1908 and explore our mine and bunkhouse with the help of our costumed interpreters!