1824
The lead ore in the southwestern part of Wisconsin began to attract attention.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
The evidence
“Lead and Zinc. In 1824, the lead ore in the southwestern part of Wisconsin began to attract attention. From 1826 to 1830, there was a great rush of miners to this region, somewhat like the Pike's Peak excitement at a later date.”
1879-history-of-rock-county/04-wisconsin-railroads-commerce-health-statistics.md, PDF p. 196
Butterfield, C. W., et al. The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879. Cornell University Library via the Internet Archive, archive.org/details/cu31924028871585.
Grade A: Found on a page of one of our sources