It was a successful mining town, known for its discovery of the largest spodumene crystal ever found.

During the mining operations, a large lump of tin weighing 1,200 pounds (540 kg) was melted from hand-picked cassiterite deposits; the miners described it as being as "big as a small boy."

This tin was displayed to potential shareholders in London, England in order to raise support for the company.

That year, the mine began producing spodumene, a lithium ore, and became well known for its huge crystals.

Until about 1900, Etta had the only post office in the Keystone area, and by that time, its population was 24.