The Lead Mines District is one of the six magisterial districts in Wythe County, Virginia.1 It is located in the southern part of the county, and its name is a nod to its rich history of lead mining, particularly in the Austinville-Ivanhoe area.

 

The district's history is deeply intertwined with the lead and zinc mines that operated there for centuries.2 The mines were a vital resource during both the American Revolutionary War and the Civil War, supplying a significant portion of the lead used for ammunition by the Patriots and the Confederacy, respectively.3 Today, while the mines are no longer in operation, the area's geological and historical significance is preserved. The historic Shot Tower, once used to produce lead shot, is now part of the New River Trail State Park.

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The Lead Mines District has a land area of about 56.6 square miles.5 The district is home to a mix of rural and unincorporated communities, and its geography is characterized by the Appalachian Valley and Ridge province, with its carbonate rocks that were host to the valuable mineral deposits.