Hingston Down was a copper mine worked from at least the 17th century. During the 1850s rich copper deposits were discovered and by 1864, 225 men women and children worked at the mine. By then the mine had reached a depth of 130 fathoms (240m in modern money). By 1882, over 64,000 tons of copper ore had been mined and dressed before being carted to Calstock Quay for shipping to South Wales for smelting.
The Grade II listed engine house appears to date from 1882 and once house a Cornish beam engine. The 36″ rotary engine was installed in 1905. The engine was manufactured by the Bedford Foundry in Tavistock and was second-hand to Hingston, having originally been used at Devon Great Consols.
