The remains of the old Wheal Betsy mine lie alongside
the Okehampton to Tavistock road. An early mine, probably originating
from about 1740 although it could have been earlier, it produced principally
lead and silver rather than tin. In the early days the ore would have
been smelted on site using peat charcoal. It closed in the late 1700's
but was re-opened in 1806 and was then worked by water power The engine
house was built in 1868 and the mine remained in operation until 1877
using steam power. The chimney leans at a precarious angle when viewed
from the east although it looks normal from the west; this has given
it its nickname "The Leaning Tower of Dartmoor". In 1967 the
ruined engine house and stack were acquired and made safe by the National
Trust as a memorial to the mining industry of Dartmoor.
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