Picher mining development began after the discovery of ore deposits at Sunnyside, Lincolnville and Hattonville, now called Commerce, in the years from 1905 to 1910.
The drilling operations moved rapidly to the north and led to the opening of rich mines in 1915 on the site of Picher. This development was led by the Eagle-Picher mining interests.
The mining expanded into the surrounding area including Treece and Galena. There were also extensive mines in and around Joplin and the area was known as the Tri-State Mining District.
Baxter Springs had limited the size of claims to a size that made mining within the city limits effectively impossible. However, many of the mining companies had their headquarters in Baxter Springs and many of the mine owners lived here, prefering it to the noise and dust of Picher and it's surrounding towns.
By the time the mining stopped in the 1970s huge areas were undermined and cave-ins were a constant danger within the district.
