John Poe, a professional promoter from Michigan allegedly related to Edgar Allan Poe, discovered rich gold and silver veins in 1862 on the slopes of Peavine Mountain.

As a result, the former mining camp, called Poe City (Poeville) or Podunk (Poedunk), grew to 200 people by 1864.

Ore production in the mining district and population peaked around 1873-1874 with several hundred people living in town, supported by three hotels and a post office.

[2][3] The smelting of the sulfide-rich ores with the primitive technology of the time directly at town was difficult, and also water resources were scarce.

Income from the mines was low, for the extracted ore was rich not in gold, but in copper.