The building housing Tellure mining park stands on the same underground site where numerous silver veins were discovered in the 16th century. This period, which generated a massive influx of workers in the region, would later be known as the silver fever. Though the Saint-Jean Engelsbourg silver mine was managed by the lord of Ribeaupierre, the miners bought a concession in it. They donated part of the profits to the lord, and an insurance fund guaranteed them a minimum wage in case of unsuccessful digging.