File:The former National School, Amlwch, Anglesey.jpg

Amlwch was formerly an insignificant fishing village consisting of about six houses; but in consequence of the discovery of the celebrated copper mines in the Parys Mountain in the year 1768, it has become a flourishing town. It has a capacious harbour cut out of the solid slate rock, at the expense of the mining companies, capable of admitting 30 vessels of 200 tons burden, where originally there was only a cleft or opening, too small to receive a single vessel. This harbour is dry at low water. The church, a spacious edifice capable of holding 2000 persons, was erected in 1800 at the cost of the proprietors of the Amlwch mines. There are several dissenting chapels. In the National School, built in 1820, about 350 children are instructed. There is an excellent literary and scientific institution, with a library and museum. The lecture hall was erected by subscription, to which the nobleman and gentry connected with the locality contributed liberally.

The copper mines, which have contributed so materially to the prosperity of Amlwch, are situated in the Parys Mountain nearly two miles south of the town. They were discovered in the year 1768. The Parys mine was first opened on 2 March, the anniversary of the day on which the vein of ore was found, and has ever since been kept worked. The Mona mine was soon after opened and worked. Both mines proved exceedingly profitable. During the most flourishing period it was computed that from 60,000 to 80,000 tons of ore annually extracted from them – a product probably more than equal to that of the whole Cornish mines at the same period. At that time the mines gave employment to 1500 workmen. But at a later period the works considerably declined; and at one time it appeared probable that the works would be gradually discontinued. At the present time (1850) however, the mines 'Are worked extensively, though they are not in a very flourishing state. About 1000 persons are employed in them, including 100 who work in the smelting furnaces.'