The hills around the city of Volcano yielded more than $90 million in gold during the 1850's and 1860's. The city was a rich cultural center, boasting the state's first circulating library, a private law school, a debating society, an astronomical observation site and a theater group. Many historic buildings and sites remain and have been marked throughout the town. Guests can still stay at the historic St. George Hotel built in the early 1860's. The Civil War cannon "Old Abe", on display by the Masonic Hall, was used as a deterrent to prevent Confederate sympathizers from getting to the gold mined in this area.