James Hague

Born 1836 – Boston, MA Died 1908 – Stockbridge, MA

James Duncan Hague was born in Boston and earned an engineering degree from Harvard University before continuing his studies in mining and geology at the University of Göttingen in Hanover, Germany. He furthered his education at the Royal School of Mines in Freiberg, Saxony. After establishing a successful career in mining, Hague married Mary Ward Foote, sister of Arthur De Wint Foote, in 1872.

Hague launched his career as a consulting mining engineer in 1863, a profession that took him across the American West and made him a prominent and wealthy figure in the industry. Though he spent much of his adult life in the East, he and his wife lived in San Francisco from 1872 to 1878, where they became part of the city's social scene.

In 1884, William Bourn Jr., owner of the Empire Mine, acquired the North Star Mine, which had seen slow but steady growth under previous owners. Bourn modernized operations, expanded holdings, and increased productivity—just as Hague was seeking a mining investment.

With expertise as both a mining engineer and financier, Hague had the insight and resources to evaluate opportunities. In 1887, backed by strong financial supporters, he purchased the North Star Mine.

Believing that success lay in consolidation, Hague acquired multiple nearby claims, including Massachusetts Hill, Rocky Bar, Boston Ravine, and Gold Hill, along with several smaller, once-productive sites.

Recognizing the need for a major power plant and innovative infrastructure, Hague turned to his brother-in-law and former colleague, Arthur D. Foote, who had expertise in both civil and mining engineering. In 1895, they completed a new power plant and an advanced pumping system. The following year, with the enthusiastic support of the company’s Board of Directors, Foote was appointed Superintendent of the North Star Mine.

As the mine thrived in the early 1900s, Hague sought to make a statement—both to rival the Bourn "Cottage" at the Empire Mine and to impress investors and local leaders. In 1904, he commissioned Julia Morgan, a newly licensed architect, to design North Star House. The residence was completed in 1905, serving as a grand home for the Foote family.

Hague’s vision and leadership left a lasting impact on the mining industry, and his investments helped secure the long-term success of the North Star Mine.