City Populated Decades Ago Can Be Seen Underwater
Formerly the World's Largest Lead Mine, Bonne Terre Mine In Missouri Has Been Rated One of the Top Diving Destinations & America's Best Underwater Attraction
"You could drive right down the Interstate and not even know it's here," says Doug Goergens, owner of West End Diving Center and Bonne Terre Mine. Bonne Terre Mine is a massive underground mine that has been turned into a tourist destination, as well as a premier diving center. So premier, in fact, that it has been rated one of the top diving destinations in the United States, above Hawaii, California and Florida. Goergens and his wife, Catherine, are the founders who converted the mine into a tourist destination.
"It was actually my wife's idea, I'll admit," chuckles Goergens, "And the first time she mentioned it to me I thought, 'Are you kidding me!?'" Goergens mentions that when he was younger he actually snuck into the mine after it was closed and went for a dive, but never considered opening it up as a tourist destination. "But we acquired it and first starting having walking tours of the mine then eventually added the diving in 1981," he says. Since then they have added over 500,000 watts of stadium lighting from above the water, as well as 50 different dive tours. The walking tour is still fully functional and comes with a ride on a boat, too. "In the summer, there are a lot of people taking the walking tour. In the winter, it is a lot of divers," Goergens says. The divers come because the mine is always constant with over 100 foot visibility. The air temperature is 65 and the water temperature is about 60 degrees Fahrenheit, a mild temperature in a diver's standard.
The history of the mine is vast. It was the largest lead mine in the world. It was open from about 1862-1962 and is basically the size of a 5 story parking garage. "It was built for railcars that could be electric or by mule," Goergens explains, "In fact, they used mules in here until the 50s." Mines are not made like that anymore - they are made so heavy machinery will do all the work. In the Bonne Terre Mine, people would use pickaxes, drills, and dynamite to clear out areas. The owners of the lead mine enjoyed loyalty of their employees because the mine was so successful. "It wasn't like coal mining," Goergens explains, "The miners were treated very well." The town of Bonne Terre had the miners in one area, the supervisors on Church Street, Executives on Oak, and the president had a home on a hill. The president's home is now called Mansion Hill, which Georgens and his wife purchased, along with the 250 acre estate. "We had it as the Mansion Hill Inn until about 15-20 years ago when we made it our residence," he says. The also own the Bonne Terre Depot, which is a Bed and Breakfast in Bonne Terre.
One of the many interesting things that have happened since Georgens opened it as a diving destination is a visit from the great Jacques Cousteau, the French Oceanographer, and his crew on the Calypso. Cousteau was taking a trip down the Mississippi for a documentary. "His scout came a few days before they arrived and asked if they could shoot and dive at the mine for a few hours," Goergens recalls, "And we were so excited and honored." Goergens says they came down and shot on 16mm film and seemed to enjoy it. "The Calypso was parked by the St. Louis Arch and they asked if they could shoot in the afternoon, and we said, 'Of course!' So they took their helicopter from the Calypso and landed it in the bowling alley parking lot in Bonne Terre to bring more film," he says. After the day of shooting, they all went to the Calypso to debrief- with French food, wine, conversation and laughter, Goergens recalls. Originally Cousteau planned to stay for one or two days, they extended their visit for five and a half days.
Another interesting tidbit from the past is the X Games had a Wakeboard challenge in the mine in 2002. "Red Bull set up a Wakeboard challenge and brought a bunch of wakeboarders to compete," Goergens says, "They brought Hollywood lighting so we had to get auxiliary generators, drill additional holes, and more to accommodate. It was pretty cool."
Nowadays, they welcome about 30,000 visitors a year. Divers get to enjoy crystal clear waters, as well as a place they call the “city.” “The city is the area where the miners and executives worked. There are offices, a geology lab, locker room, punch out clocks, and more all 90 feet underwater,” Goergens says. Walking tours and field trips from schools get to walk through the massive caverns, ride on a boat, and feel like, “They are walking under a brachiosaurus because of the huge pillars.” They also get to see all the fish that populate the water - 2. “We have two bass - Bonnie and Terry,” Georgen laughs, “And some people come just to see the two fish.” He recalls that he was asked by Cousteau what he is going to do to develop the tourism and he said he was going to introduce more fish and Cousteau very emphatically said that’s a bad idea. “He said, in his French accent, ‘No, you cannot do this. You will ruin it. This is a special environmental capsule,’” Georgen recalls. So he just settled for the two, which divers and walkers always love to see on the Billion Gallon Lake that has 17 miles of shoreline 100 feet underground.
Andrew Malo
A graduate of Northeastern Illinois University in Education, Andrew has taught for the past decade in Chicago, New Mexico, and Japan. He enjoys tinkering with trucks and motorcycles, woodworking, reading and computer programming.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Perryville Campground, which now features a lounge area with satellite TV, monthly activities for all ages, group discounts, water near the front pavilion, and a hiking trail around a 100 acre lake. As well as picnic facilities, restrooms and boat ramps.