BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

MUSEUM OF PEOPLES AND CULTURES

TECHNICAL SERIES NO. 03-17

OPHIR PHASE II ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION PROJECT

CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY
TOOELE COUNTY, UTAH

by

Shane A. Baker
Deborah C. Harris

Office of Public Archaeology

Richard K. Talbot, Director
Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah 84602

September 2004

A
 BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
MUSEUM OF PEOPLES AND CULTURES
TECHNICAL SERIES NO. 03-17

OPHIR PHASE II ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION PROJECT

CULTURAL RESOURCE SURVEY
TOOELE COUNTY, UTAH

by

Shane A. Baker
Deborah C. Harris

with contributions by
Aaron Woods
Craig Freeman

Office of Public Archaeology

Richard K. Talbot, Director
Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah 84602

prepared for

Utah Department of Natural Resources

Division of Oil, Gas and Mining
1594 West North Temple, Suite 1210
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114

September 2004

Contract Number 02-6607

Federal Antiquities Permit Number 03-UT-54624
Utah State Project Authorization Number U-03-BC-0069bps

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 Abstract

During July and August 2003, the Office of Public Archaeology, Brigham Young University
(OPA), completed documentation and historic site assessments on 165 mine openings located on private
patented land and lands managed by the Salt Lake Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management in
Tooele County, Utah. Additional field work was undertaken during August 2004 in order to re-evaluate the
status of selected sites. The mine sites are under consideration for rehabilitation under the Utah Division
of Oil, Gas and Mining’s (DOGM) Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program (AMRP). Most of the mines
in the project area resulted from exploration and extraction activities associated with the hard rock base
metal and precious metal mining boom in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in the western
United States. Although many of the sites are relatively modest in scope, those that retain integrity and
have sufficient material remains to convey significance and/or yield additional data are recommended as
contributing resources within a regional historic context associated with the theme of hard rock mining
as a facet of American frontier settlement and exploration. At a local level, hard rock mining played an
important role in Tooele County from the 1860s through the 1940s, and substantially influenced the course
of local history and economic development. The significance of the sites has been assessed within this
broader regional and national context.
Treatment of the sites determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places should
be conducted in such a way as to preserve as much of the historic fabric as possible of these sites so that
they can be studied and interpreted as evidence of the historic hard rock mining process and its contribution
to the broad pattern of our national history.

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 Management Summary

Project Title: Ophir Phase II Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project

Utah State Project Number: U-03-BC-0069bps

Agencies: Utah Department of Natural Resources ─ Division of Oil Gas and

Mining
US Department of Interior – Bureau of Land Management, Utah

DOGM Project Number: AMR/045/908

Project Description: The project consisted of the documentation and evaluation of 165
abandoned mine openings in the vicinity of Ophir, Tooele County, Utah. Most of the openings
are on lands managed by the Salt Lake Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management, but some
lie on patented claims and one is on State Trust lands. The mine openings were examined in the
field and grouped into 23 archaeological sites and 52 isolated features on the basis of proximity,
association, and location. One additional non-mine site is a historic road located next to one of
the mine sites. The archaeological sites were recorded using standard Intermountain Antiquities
Computer System (IMACS) documentation and the isolated features were documented using a
short isolate form developed by the Bureau of Land Management. Determinations of significance
and eligibility were made for each site.

Location: Tooele County, Utah

Dates of Fieldwork: July - August 2003, August 2004

New Sites Recorded: 23

Previously Recorded
Sites Revisited: 1

Eligible Sites: 13

Summary of Sites: A total of 23 new and one previously documented sites were vis-
ited and recorded, all but one of which contain historic period components associated with hard
rock precious metal exploration and mining in the southern Oquirrh Mountains of north-central
Utah. The sites examined during this project are part of an extensive system of closely related
sites and features that comprise one of the most extensive historic mining districts in the state of
Utah. Thirteen of the sites are considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under
Criteria A and/or D.

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 Table of Contents
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Management Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
List of Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Project Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Regulatory Setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Environmental Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Geology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Flora and Fauna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Historical Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Mining In the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
The Mining Industry in Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Pioneer Period Production — 1847 to 1869 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Precious Metal Mining -- 1869 to 1940. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Mining For Western Growth – 1940 to present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Uranium and Fossil Fuels – 1948 to present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Mining in Tooele County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
The Camp Floyd Mining District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
The Mercur Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
The Ophir Mining District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Summary of Historic Information on Project Mines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Camp Floyd Mining District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Ophir Mining District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Survey Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Site Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Site Assessment Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
National Register Evaluation Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Site Descriptions and Evaluations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Isolated Feature Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Ophir Mining Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Assessment of Impacts and Proposed Closure Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Determination of Eligibility and Finding of Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
42TO2181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
42TO2182 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
42TO2183 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
42TO2184 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
42TO2185 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
42TO2186 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
42TO2187 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
42TO2188 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
42TO2189 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
42TO2190 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

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 42TO2191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
42TO2192 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
42TO2193 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
42TO2194 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
42TO2195 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
42TO2196 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
42TO2197 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
42TO2198 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
42TO2357 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
42TO2358 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
42TO2359 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
42TO2360 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
42TO2361 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
42TO1772 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Appendix A: Ophir II 2003 Table Summary of Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A1
Appendix B: Mine Opening Eligibility Summary Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1
Appendix C: Site Sketch Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C1

List of Tables
Table 1. Previous Projects in Ophir II Project Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Table 2. Metal Production from the Oquirrh Mountains Mining Districts, Utah . . . . . . . . . 26
Table 3. Site Locations by Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Table 4. Site Locations and Legal Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Table 5. Summary of Openings at 42TO2195 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

List of Figures
Figure 1. Oquirrh Mountains, Rush Valley, and southern Tooele Valley.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Figure 2. Ophir II general project area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Figure 3. Geologic Cross Section of North Oquirrh Mountains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 4. Photo of two miners in front of unidentified mine portal, ca. 1910. . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Figure 5. Panoramic view of Ophir ca. 1930.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Figure 6. Photo showing town of Ophir, June 1930. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Figure 7. Photo showing town of Mercur, June 1903. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Figure 8. Topographic map showing 42TO2182 - 42TO2192 and isolated features. . . . . . . 45
Figure 9. Topographic map showing 42TO2193 - 42TO2196 and isolated features. . . . . . . 46
Figure 10. Topographic map showing 42TO2197 and isolated features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Figure 11. Topographic map showing 42TO2188 and isolated features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Figure 12. Topographic map showing 42TO2198 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

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 Introduction

Project Description
Between July 2003 and August 2003 the Office of Public Archaeology (OPA), under contract
to the Utah Department of Natural Resource’s Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM), carried out
an intensive examination and survey of 165 abandoned precious metal and base metal mine sites in the
Oquirrh Mountains in the vicinity of the town of Ophir, Utah (Figures 1 and 2). Additional field work
was undertaken during August 2004 in order to re-evaluate the status of selected sites. The project area is
located primarily on lands administered by the US Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management,
Salt Lake Field Office. Although most of the mines are under BLM jurisdiction, a few of the properties
are located on patented mining claims which occur as inholdings within the boundaries of the federal
jurisdictional unit. One mine was located on State Trust lands. The project was designated as the Ophir
II Abandoned Mines Project. An earlier inventory of adjacent areas was completed by other consultants
during 2000 and 2001, and constitutes Phase I of the project.
A literature review and file search at the Utah Division of State History was conducted by OPA
personnel in July 2003, immediately prior to commencement of fieldwork. In addition to information
acquired at the Division of State History, crucial baseline data on each of the properties was provided
by DOGM, who furnished descriptive information and location and access data for each opening. The
literature review found no previously recorded archaeological sites within the actual project area, but
the general vicinity has been the subject of a number of cultural resources inventories. These previous
archaeological surveys conducted in the area are summarized in Table 1.
Locations for all of the mines to be assessed were plotted in advance on standard USGS 7.5’ series
topographic maps using the information provided by DOGM in order to aid in field relocation. In addition
to the primary task of field documentation and assessment of the mine sites, OPA carried out historic
research in an effort to develop an accurate historic context for each mine and to assess the role of precious
and metallic mineral mining on a regional basis. Mining records were examined at the Tooele County
Recorder’s Office in Tooele. Additional research was conducted at Brigham Young University Harold B.
Lee Library, and at the Utah Division of State History Library and Archives.
The Ophir II Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project is located in the southern section of the Oquirrh
Mountains, primarily in the area to the south and east the town of Ophir in the vicinity of Silveropolis
Hill, Lion Hill, Rover Hill, Porphyry Hill, and Meadow Canyon. Additional mine locations in the project
occur to the west of the town in Ophir Canyon and the vicinity of Dry Canyon. The mines involved in
the project are distributed over an area in excess of 43 square miles in size. The formal project boundary
includes approximately 8,200 acres, though mines are not evenly distributed throughout this area; the
acreage actually affected by mining is substantially smaller than the project boundary.

Methods
The project was carried out under the direction of Richard K. Talbot, director of OPA, under
authority of Federal Antiquities Permit Number 02-UT-54624 and Utah State Project Number U-03-BC-
0069bps. Richard Talbot, Lane Richens and Shane Baker were field directors and served as crew chiefs.
Crew members at various times during the project included: Sarah Baer, Craig Freeman, Danae Hansen,
Holly Raymond, Jacob Sauer, Scott Ure, Aaron Woods and David Yoder, all of whom are Brigham Young
University students. Historic research was conducted by Deborah Harris and Shane Baker. The report

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 112

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MAP LOCATION
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OFFICE OF PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY
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TOOELE COUNTY

Figure 1. Oquirrh Mountains, Rush Valley, and southern Tooele Valley.

2
 Figure 2. Ophir II general project area.

preparation was undertaken by the professional and student staff members of OPA. Computer graphics,
maps, and GIS support for report production were provided Scott Ure. Debbie Silversmith, OPA business
manager, was responsible for technical editing of the manuscript and final document preparation.
Each of the subject mines was located in the field using the data provided by DOGM, including
plotted map locations, descriptive information and photographs. The relocation of the mine openings and
field documentation work was conducted with crews of two to four individuals. Each crew was assigned
specific sites which were accessed by driving or hiking directly to the mine opening. In a few instances
somewhat lengthy hikes were required to reach some of the sites. Vehicle access to the southern portion
of the project area is relatively difficult and road conditions are generally poor, with many of the access
roads being used primarily by ATVs. This has allowed vegetative growth to narrow the travel lane in many
areas on the less traveled roads. Considerable time and effort was saved by gaining access to the Rover Hill
area via property controlled by Barrick-Mercur Mining. Appreciation is expressed to Barrick-Mercur for
permission to cross their property and to their local foreman, Kevin Hamitaki, for his assistance in getting
access and directions.
3
 Table 1. Previous Projects in Ophir II Project Area
State Project
Agency Project Description Legal Location Reference
No.
80- BL-0068 BLM Class III survey of electronic test site and access. Sec. 27, T5S, R4W Cartwright (1980)
TRC Environmental The project consists of a survey of 23 ten-acre sample units and an Weder, Smith, &
81-AF-0059 T5&6S, R3&4W
Consultants, Inc. additional 2510 acres in the area of the Historic Mercur Mining town. Hauck (1981)
T6S, R3W, Sec. 8, 5, 4;
T5S, R3W, Sec. 32, 31,
81-BC-0063 CRMS/BYU Survey of cultural resources in the Oquirrh Mountains. 30, 19, 7; T5S, R4W, Jacklin 1981
Sec. 24, 13, 12; T3S,
R4W, Sec. 6, 7, 8, 17, 20
A Preliminary Report on the Test Excavations of Two Lithic Scatters
81-BC-0087 CRMS/BYU T5S, R4W, Sec. 31 Nielson 1981
near Mercur, Tooele County, Utah, for Getty Oil Company
An Archaeological Survey of a Portion of the UP & L Oquirrh-Tooele
82-BC-0055 CRMS/BYU T3S, R3W, Sec. 4. Duffin 1982
138 KV Powerline.
Excavation of the small hunting camp Sparrow Hawk Site in the
85-BC-0116 CRMS/BYU Oquirrh Mtns. 1:250,000 Nielson 1983
Southern Oquirrh Mountains.
85-BL-0876 BLM The project surveyed 20 acres. T8N, R5E, Sec. 8 Dodge 1985
T4S, R4W, Sec. 31

4
FIREX88 Archaeological Class II Probabilistic Surveys in Tooele and
88-BC-0113 CRMS/BYU T5S, R4W, Sec. 5, 6, 7, 8 Wilde, 1988
Salt Lake Counties, Utah.
T6S, R6W, Sec. 36
Surveying for the Barrick Company that has proposed expansion of T6S, R3W, Sec. 4, 5, 6;
89-BL-0407 BLM Smith 1989
existing tailings dumps. T5S,W, Sec. 33
Digging trenches to explore and sample several geologic targets in the T5S, R4W, Sec. 25 and
89-BL-0522 BLM Christensen 1989
area. T5S, R3W, Sec. 30
91-BL-0426 BLM Drill sites and road construction survey. Ophir Quad (1980) Christensen 1991
95-BL-0425 BLM Mining test, drilling and road construction survey. Ophir, 1:24,000 (1980) Brewster 1995
Desert West Research, Desert West
95-WZ-0501 A Class III cultural and paleontological resources inventory. Sec. 16, T5S, R4W
Inc. Research 1995
96-BL-0511 BLM Mineral exploration and road development survey. Sec. 25, T5S, R4W Melton 1996
Cedar Fort Quad,
SWCA, Inc.
Fivemile Pass Quad, Skinner and
97-ST-0854 Environmental Survey of 357 abandoned mine properties.
Mercur Quad, Ophir Helton 1998
Consultants
Quad
Mercur Quad, Ophir
Bassett and
99-DH-03-P,b Dames & Moore, Inc. Survey of 54 small mines. Quad, Fivemile Pass
Edwards 1999
Quad
99-DH-0390 Dames & Moore, Inc. Survey of 328 abandoned mines for the Utah DOGM. Stockton Quad (1980) Bassett 2000
 Topography was wide ranging in the various localities of the project area, but was generally
dominated by rugged slopes and canyons characteristic of the west flank of the Oquirrh Mountains. Some
of the project sites are located in steep areas on slopes approaching 90 degrees. The field conditions for the
duration of the project were generally quite good, with good ground visibility in most areas, except where
thick vegetation became a problem in isolated locations.
Once an opening was relocated, field crews conducted an intensive examination of the area
surrounding the mine to identify any related cultural features or artifacts. As specified by contract
stipulations, investigation of underground mine workings was not undertaken due to the risk factors
involved. Accordingly, features and artifacts on the interior of the shaft or adit other than those visible from
the outside were not examined. A minimum area of one acre (35 m radius surrounding the opening) was
examined at each opening. For sites with a single mine opening, the effective area surveyed was therefore
a circular zone 70 m in diameter centered around the actual opening. At several of the mines there were
multiple closely related openings which were grouped into a single archaeological site for the purposes of
documentation. (See “Site Assessment Categories” section for definitions employed in this report for the
determination of site, isolated find, and eligibility category.) At these sites, the entire area circumscribed
within the boundary of the site was examined and all related features documented. At these larger
properties, the site boundaries represent the spatial extent of the area intensively surveyed, which was
examined using a transect interval of 15 m. The area between sites and outside the boundaries of identified
sites was considered to be out of the project area and was not examined. Accordingly, no systematic survey
was conducted outside the boundaries of the defined sites and away from the subject openings previously
identified by DOGM for the purposes of confirming the presence or absence of other historic or prehistoric
cultural material not immediately associated with the project openings. No guidelines were given to OPA
as to what the actual Area of Potential Effect (APE) would be. Therefore, for the protection of the cultural
resources at the individual sites, we inferred the APE to be any disturbance that might occur within the site
boundaries. For this reason, in this report the site boundares are designated as the APE. While every effort
was made to document ancillary cultural features associated with each mine opening, the scope of work did
not permit the identification or documentation of cultural materials outside of and not connected in some
manner to the APE at each site. Borrow source areas for any of the openings proposed for backfill closure
were not considered as part of any site APE. Further inventory of borrow source areas would need to be
conducted before mechanical closure of these sites takes place.
A preliminary assessment was made at each of the mine openings to determine the level of
data recordation required. Many of the openings on the Ophir II project consist of small prospects or
completely collapsed adits with no associated features or artifacts. In these cases, where a mine designated
for assessment consisted only of a rather unremarkable opening and no associated artifacts, they were
designated as isolated features rather than as sites. This distinction allowed these non-significant properties
to be dealt with quickly and efficiently. Openings that had associated features or artifacts, or which retained
substantial integrity in terms of preservation of the actual opening itself, were designated as archaeological
sites subject to full documentation. Where several collapsed adits appeared to be grouped closely within a
single locality they were considered to form a formal site, rather than several individual isolated features,
and were documented as such.
Each site was recorded using standard Intermountain Antiquities Computer System (IMACS)
site forms; including Global Positioning System (GPS) generated location data, site sketch maps, and 35
mm black-and-white and color slide photography. Site locations were plotted on 7.5 minute series USGS
maps using both GPS data and information provided by DOGM. In the field, individual mine openings
were relocated on the basis of map plots and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates provided
by DOGM. During the actual survey the openings were relocated and plotted using Garmin eTrek or
5
Garmin GPS40 GPS receivers. The UTM coordinates for each mine opening were checked in the field
and compared against the data provided by DOGM. Where necessary, UTM coordinates were corrected.
GIS data generated for the project consists of the point data for each of the mine openings. Site boundaries
were not digitized in the field using GPS equipment, and have been marked on the topographic maps on
the basis of field observations and point plot data for the openings.
Most historic hard rock mining districts consist of a scattered patchwork of roads, prospects,
openings, ore transportation and processing features, and less frequently, habitation features and even the
remains of business or commercial structures. These cultural materials are often widely spread in the area
surrounding the actual mine openings, and may require large amounts of time and money to document
completely. Examples of these types of archaeological features do occur in the Ophir area outside the
boundaries of the specific project openings, and therefore not all were documented. However, this more
complex fabric of related cultural manifestations really does constitute a part of the regional framework
within which these sites should be considered.
Access to some of the openings examined during the project is available over established public
right-of-ways, primarily unpaved county roads. However, some of the openings occur in relatively remote
areas with limited access. No vehicle or equipment access routes were surveyed for sites located in these
types of areas. Some of the openings are situated a considerable distance from the nearest public right-of-
way.

Regulatory Setting

The Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM) administers the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977 under the auspices of the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) through the Abandoned
Mine Reclamation Program (AMRP). The program was developed in order to reclaim land and water
resources adversely affected by past coal mining and left abandoned or inadequately restored. Today the
AMRP protects public heath and safety from hazards at all abandoned mines and restores lands damaged
by past, unregulated mining. The program is funded by a federal tax on coal produced in the state. OSM
ensures that all Utah AMRP actions comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Protection
Act (NEPA) and other applicable federal laws. The AMRP program is managed in accordance with the
Federal Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-102 and applicable state guidelines. Federal
environmental and historic preservation laws apply both because the program draws on federal funds, and
in the case of the Ophir Project, because the subject sites are located on federally managed land.
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq) established a formal
federal policy to preserve natural, as well as historical and cultural aspects of national heritage when monies
from federal agencies are used. Regulations for implementation of the act have been issued by the Council
on Environmental Quality (40 CFR Part 1502.16[g]). The regulations require that federal undertakings
and federally funded state undertaking that have the potential to impact historic and cultural properties
must make an assessment of the consequences of such actions. The intent of this legislation is to preserve
cultural and archaeological sites, and to direct agencies into selecting alternatives that lessen unavoidable
impacts, but not necessarily to prevent appropriate actions that entail adverse effects to cultural resources
and sites. The regulations do require, however, that impacts be recognized and minimized or mitigated
whenever possible.
Additional federal legislation governing the protection of historic properties includes the Antiquities
Act of 1906, the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, the Archaeological and Historical

6
Preservation Act of 1974, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, and the American Indian
Religious Freedom act of 1978. Although NEPA is the broadest of the cultural resource authorities, Section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is the most specific of the cultural resource regulations, and
provides guidelines to federal agencies, state, and private entities in regards to the appropriate treatment of
historic properties affected by federally funded undertakings.
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (amended in 1992) authorizes the Secretary of the
Interior to “expand and maintain a National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) composed of districts, sites,
buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering,
and culture” as well as all documentation, artifacts, and remains related to these properties (Title 1, Section
101 (a)). Properties meeting the requirements stated in the NHPA are eligible for listing on the National
Register of Historic Places. The determination of the significance and eligibility of historic properties is
to take place in cooperation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, who also consults with federal
agencies in the mitigation of impacts to NRHP properties and to “advise and assist in the evaluation of
proposals for rehabilitation projects that may qualify for Federal assistance” (NHPA 1966 Title 1, Section
101, paragraph 8). Implementing regulation for Section 106 have been promulgated by the Advisory
Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and are codified at 36 CFR 800.

Environmental Context

Geology
Because the project area lies in one of the most intensively mined regions of the state, and
contains mineral resources of national caliber and significance, the geology has been the subject of a
number of detailed studies which have been reported elsewhere (e.g. Boutwell 1905; Butler 1920; Cook
1961; Guenther 1973; Klatt and Tafuri 1976; Moore 1973; Peacock 1948; Rubright 1978; Spurr 1895;
Tafuri 1987; Tooker 1999; Tooker and Roberts 1998). Only a brief summary of this large body of data is
presented here to provide a context for the historic mining activities documented during the project.
The Ophir II project area is located in north-central Utah in the south end of the Oquirrh Mountains.
The Oquirrh Range is situated immediately south of the Great Salt Lake, and is first of several north to
south trending mountain ranges which mark the extreme east edge of the Basin and Range province where
it terminates against the west edge of the Wasatch Range. The Oquirrh Mountains extend a distance of
approximately 56 km from the south shore of the Great Salt Lake to Five Mile Pass, and are flanked
on the west by Tooele and Rush Valleys and on the east by Jordan and Cedar Valleys. The mountains
arise abruptly from the south shore of the lake at a low elevation of approximately 1,280 m (4,200 ft asl)
and ascend to a maximum elevation of 3,228 m (10,589 ft asl) at Lowe Peak in the southern part of the
range.
The north end of the Oquirrh Range consists almost entirely of Pennsylvanian and Permian
sedimentary rocks of the Oquirrh Group, although the entire range is believed to overlie basement
formations of Precambrian age (Chronic 1990, Tooker 1999). These same sedimentary rocks dominate
the south end of the range, but are interrupted by intrusions of Tertiary granite. The sedimentary rocks
throughout the range include materials of Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic age, although the Paleozoic
materials dominate. The Paleozoic deposits are dominated by thick accumulations of various amounts of
carbonate-quartz clastics, orthoquartzite, shale, limestone and dolomite (Tooker 1999) (Figure 3).

7
Age Formation or Member Feet Lithology

Quaternary
Alluvium & Lake Bonneville 0-1000
deposits
Harkers Alluvium 0-250

Miocene -
Pliocene
Valley fill in Tooele Valley 0-12,000

Oligocene Shaggy Peak rhyolite plug

Quartz latite porphyry dikes

Eocene
Bingham & Last Chance qtz monzonite
post trusting conglomerate 0-500?
Paleozoic strata were folded and thrusted-during
Jurassic - Cretaceous Sevier orogenic events
Grandeur Limestone,
760
Park City Group

Diamond Creek Sandstone 2000?

Kirkman Limestone 400

Permian

Freeman Peak
Wolfcampian

Formation 2400
(Clinker-rings
when struck)

Curry Peak 2450

Formation
Missourian - Virgilian

Bingham Mine 7300

Formation

Oquirrh
Group

Commercial LsM (100-200)

Jordan LS Mbr (100-300)

Pennsylvanian
Atokan - Desmoinesian

Butterfield Peaks
9100
Formation
Morrowan

West Canyon
Limestone 1060-1450

Adapted from Hintze 1988: 145

Figure 3. Geologic Cross Section of North Oquirrh Mountains.
8
 The Oquirrhs were formed primarily by thrust faulting which occurred during the Cretaceous
Sevier Orogeny. This block faulting resulted in a geological landscape along the thrust belt which is
characterized by a relatively complex mix of folded and faulted geological strata, of which the Oquirrrhs
are a prime example. Geologists have identified five nappes (thrust sheets) which comprise the Oquirrh
Mountains, which include the Pass Canyon, Bingham, Rogers Canyon, South Mountain, and Five Mile
Pass nappes. Tertiary igneous intrusive and extrusive rocks were introduced from crustal sources, which
fractured and interrupted the older sedimentary layers. The valuable ore deposits present throughout the
range were deposited as the result of hydrothermal activity associated with this Tertiary intrusive action.
Ore-bearing solutions penetrated the fractured sedimentary strata and left behind the dispersed deposits of
precious and base metals that constitute the economically important minerals found in the region today
(Tooker 1999).

Flora and Fauna

The Ophir Project is located in the Oquirrh Mountains on the eastern edge of the Great Basin. The
flora and fauna of the project area are consistent with those found widely distributed in the high-desert
climate zones of the eastern Great Basin. They are only briefly summarized here. Grayson (1993:33) notes
that there are well over 600 species of vertebrates native to the Great Basin, including mammals, birds,
snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, and fish. The project area falls within the Great Basin Faunal Area defined
by Durrant (1952:480). The Great Basin Faunal Area, like all those defined for the state, is distinguished
and defined largely by factors involving physiographic characteristics which have affected the evolution
and spread of animals throughout the region. Durrant found that each of his defined areas were distinctive
because certain species were restricted to it, and in most cases, served the defined areas served as centers
for subspecies differentiation. The Great Basin Faunal Area is the largest in the state, and comprises most
of the western half of the state. In terms of mammalian fauna, the area is distinct for at least one species
found no where else in the state, and some 42 subspecies which are wholly or nearly restricted to this area
(Durrant 1952:488). The animals found in the project area include a relatively wide variety of both large
and small mammals, birds, and reptiles, including: deer, rabbits, lizards, snakes, birds of prey, and other
associated species, as well as some fish in the perennial water courses. While the fauna were probably
economically significant during the prehistoric period, their variety and distribution were probably of much
less significance to historic peoples involved in mining pursuits.
Due to the extremely broad span of elevational ranges covered in the project area, a wide range of
floral communities are represented. The lower elevation sites in the foothills are characterized by pinyon-
juniper woodlands, intermixed with low sagebrush, shadscale, and other Upper Sonoran community
species. The higher elevations of the project area grade into the Transitional and Canadian life zones,
and exhibit species common to those zones, including maple, oak, and other mountain brush community
plants, as well as some spruce, fir and aspen (for more information on the flora and fauna of the Great
Basin, see Bates 1996 and Grayson 1993). The majority of the field work took place in the late summer,
and many of the locations in the higher elevation canyons exhibited an amazingly dense display of fruiting
shrubs, including gooseberry, chokecherry, snowberry, and currants. These certainly would have been
economically important to the prehistoric inhabitants of the area, and were probably expeditiously used by
the historic occupants as well.

9
 Historical Context

Mining In the United States

Conditions suitable for ore deposits are common only in limited areas of the world, and even
where conditions are ideal, ore bodies are the exception rather than the rule. The sporadic occurrence of
these ore deposits, then, makes the discovery of large mineralized regions very important. As noted above,
economically important mineral and coal resources in the eastern United States were restricted mainly of
rich deposits of coal and iron-bearing ores, along with limited localized precious mineral lodes, mostly
found within the Appalachian mountain area (Bergendahl et al. 1981; Wallace 1976). The igneous origin
of metals and the tendency for igneous activity to be associated with geologic crustal uplifting suggests that
metal-ore bearing regions are often mountainous. Significantly, the western United States is characterized
by numerous large, igneous mountain ranges and regions of crustal uplift. Due to this, a vast majority of
the major mineral-bearing deposits within the United States have been identified throughout the western
region of the nation.
A mine is an “excavation made in the earth for the purpose of extracting useful minerals” (Gregory
1980:18). While the definition seems simplistic, the process of constructing a safe and economically viable
mine is complicated and varied. A number of different techniques and approaches to mining were utilized
throughout the historic mining period. The archaeological manifestations of these activities are dependent
upon and reflective of these different processes.
Mines in general can be divided into four classes: underground (hard-rock), surface (open pit),
alluvial (placer) and non-entry (well/drilling). All four types of mines are found within the western United
States, and all have been employed for the extraction of minerals, although wells have generally only
been used, in terms of precious metal development, for the solution mining of copper. Mining methods
most closely associated with precious metal procurement are placer (Sutter’s Mill, Clear Creek), open-pit
(Bingham), and underground (Comstock, Ophir and the extended Bingham mines).
Placer or alluvial mining relates to the recovery of heavy minerals that have been eroded out
of their primary ore deposits and then concentrated, primarily by water action, into streambeds below
gravel deposits and above the bedrock. These deposits are made possible because of the comparative
differences between the specific gravity of precious minerals as compared to ordinary rock, gravel and
sand. For example, diamond and gold dust have specific gravity weights of 21.4 and 19.3, respectively,
whereas the average specific gravity weight non-mineral rock is 2.6. This means that as moving water
slows, sometimes even fractionally, the heaviest material it is carrying will be dropped out (deposited) and
concentrated, particularly at bends or more level areas within a streambed. These minerals, particularly
when occurring in stream banks or terraces, can be mined by washing the materials down a sluice, which
carries away the lighter materials, leaving the precious minerals behind. This is also the theory and method
behind gold-panning, just that the process takes place on a much smaller scale. It was these types of finds
which fueled the initial gold rushes into California, the Rockies and Alaska, and kept alive the drive for
expansion across the west (Gregory 1980; Wyman 1979).
‘What a clover-field is to a steer, the sky to a lark, a mudhole to a hog, such are new diggings to
a miner.’ So, in 1862, wrote The Oregonian about the large numbers of men who roamed the West in a
tireless search for precious metal. Once the great California gold strike of 1848 had shown what riches the
Western earth could hold, hordes of Americans hurried to every other promising corner of the wilderness
(Wallace 1976:6). One such explorer was George Jackson, a miner whose impact on the mining west was
significant.
10
 On January 6, 1859, George Jackson found himself dangerously short of food in the snowy Rockies
30 miles west of Denver. He had just decided to quit his gold hunting and head toward Denver when he
chanced upon some hot mineral springs near Clear Creek. The springs had melted the snow, and the area
was surrounded by mountain sheep which were grazing on the exposed vegetation. Taking advantage of
the opportunity, Jackson shot one of the sheep in order to feed himself, then made the decision to devote
one more day to his hunt for gold. The next morning Jackson resumed his hunt along the south fork of
Clear Creek, scanning the frozen stream bed for a gravel bar, where any yellow flakes from upstream might
be trapped. In his travels he had seen many such so-called placer formations. Late in the day Jackson
spotted a promising gravel bar, hacked out some slushy sand with his knife and panned it in his tin drinking
cup, the only suitable implement he had at hand. He swished water around in the cup until all the light sand
was washed out. Left in the cup were a few tiny but heavy yellow flakes: gold and no mistake. Jackson
panned several more handfuls of sand, collecting a vial of gold dust and one small nugget worth $10 in
Denver at current market levels.
Being short of equipment and supplies, Jackson could not really work his find until the spring
thaw, so he concealed the evidence of his activity and marked a tree 76 paces to the west, identifying the
site so that he could return later and work the claim. In his diary he wrote:
If only I had a pick and pan instead of a hunting knife and the cup, I could dig out a sack
full of the yellow stuff. My mind ran upon it all night long. I dreamed all sorts of things - about
a fine house and good clothes, a carriage and horses, travel, what I would take to the folks down
in Old Missouri and everything you can think of - I had struck it rich! There were millions in it!
[Wallace 1976:19].

George Jackson was partly right. The Clear Creek area would yield more than $100 million worth
of gold in 60 years. But like most prospectors, he overestimated his personal gain. The strike did not make
him rich -- only a little more comfortable. On his return to the gravel bar in May, he and a few partners
panned $1,900 in dust in six days work; not long after, Jackson sold out for an unknown sum, probably
modest. Nevertheless, Jackson had discovered the first major gold field in the West’s immense interior
wilderness (Wallace 1976).
Gold had always been a good story, and opportunists of all sorts turned it to their own
advantage. In towns along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, merchants had done a brisk
business outfitting gold seekers for the 600- or 700-mile journey. No fewer than 17 writers, most of
whom had never seen the Rockies, rushed into print with guidebooks to the chimerical gold mines,
which they loosely named after the region’s best known terrain feature: Pikes Peak. One journalist,
D.C. Oakes, extolled the ease and comfort of the trip, and other assured his readers that ‘Gold is
found everywhere you stick your shovel.’
By April 1959, a torrent of prospectors - estimated at 100,000 - had set out for the “New
Eldorado,” most of them ill-equipped and ignorant of the hazards they faced. Their wagons,
painted with the slogan “Pike’s Peak or Bust,” broke down in the prairie. Many ‘fifty-niners’ got
lost, perished of thirst, hunger, disease, or Indian raids. About half of the emigrants never reached
the Rockies, or turned back bitterly crying “fraud.” . . . By mid-May...the tide of “go-backers”
reached its crest, and it seemed that the search for gold was over. But then, two miners from
the south fork of Clear Creek came into Denver, full pouch of gold dust in hand, saying: “Here’s
a sample of our stuff. We’re taking out nearly $2,000 a week up on the south fork” [Wallace
1976:8].

The Clear Creek strike made by George Jackson, and the gold rush that it precipitated, opened
up a new chapter in the saga of western mining. In the hectic half century that followed the Colorado
discoveries, the continent’s mountain bound interior - from the Rockies to the Sierra Nevada and the

11
Cascades, and from Canada to Mexico - was crisscrossed by legions of prospectors and miners, who flung
up hundreds of outposts in the unpopulated uplands that the forty-niners had ignored in their rush for the
Pacific. “It was,” wrote prospector William Parsons, “a mad, furious race for wealth, in which men lost
their identity almost, and toiled and wrestled, and lived a fierce, riotous, wearing, fearfully excited life:
forgetting home and kindred; abandoning old, steady habits; acquiring restlessness, craving for stimulant,
unscrupulousness, hardihood, impulsive generosity, and lavish ways” (Wallace 1976:8).
No one knew how many freelance prospectors and wage-earning miners took part in the adventure;
in the race from strike to strike, many of these entrepreneurs circulating in the unsettled areas of the frontier
seldom stayed put long enough to be counted. But their strikes increased at a staggering rate. By 1866,
a scant seven years after Jackson’s find on Clear Creek, miners had organized more than 600 far-flung
mining districts in an effort to regulate their own affairs until some official government reached their
remote camps. And that was merely the beginning. According to a careful estimate, the West may have
had as many as 100,000 mining districts by 1900. Most of the strikes were small and short-lived; the boom-
and-bust cycle often ran its full course in less than a decade. But in dozens of rich areas, prospectors and
miners wrung enough wealth from the earth to strain their own willing credulity” (Wallace 1976:21-22).

The Mining Industry in Utah

“The history of mining in the West (goes) back to the very beginning of the Mormon development
of Utah. . . . President Lincoln, recognizing the vast wealth of the west said, ‘Utah will yet become the
treasure house of the nation.” (Carter 1939:1). However, the mining industry, which eventually played an
extremely important part in the development of Utah, played little role in the lives of the early pioneers.
These first settlers did not come west for material riches, but were seeking a place of refuge. The first
priority of these pioneers was to build permanent, self-sustaining communities based on agriculture, home
industries, homes, churches and schools; and Brigham Young, who often declared that the mountains of
Utah were filled with precious metals, discouraged prospecting in order that strong communities could
be fully established before any mining industry should be developed (Carter 1939). This placed Utah in
contrast to many other western states whose early colonization and foundations lay primarily in economic
forces driven by mining. The unique foundation established by the Mormons in Utah perhaps altered the
way in which mining would unfold as a factor in the state’s development, but it did not preclude the fact
that Utah would enjoy tremendous growth and economic development at least in part due to its natural
resources.
The history of mining in Utah has been summarized into four broad periods or phases:
1) Production by the pioneers of minerals suitable to their isolated, home-industry, agricultural
economy – 1847 to1869.
2) Mining and smelting of lead, silver, gold, joined by copper and zinc in the latter stages – 1869
to1940 – largely for export trade.
3) Mining and processing of metals and nonmetallic minerals to meet needs of rapidly growing
Western States area – (iron, gypsum, phosphate, cement, salt, potash, clays, etc.) – 1940 to
present.
4) Uranium, potash and oil and gas development – 1948 to present [Utah Mining Association 1967:9]
The key developments of the mining history of the state will be summarized briefly in each of these periods
in order to develop a broad historical outline for the project area.

12
Pioneer Period Production — 1847 to 1869
As already noted, the early economic emphasis of the Mormon colonists of Utah was decidedly
agrarian and explicitly “anti-mining.” The Mormon ecclesiastical leaders were relatively unified in their
belief that agriculture and horticulture were a more trustworthy basis for the types of millenialist religious
communities that they were trying to establish in the Great Basin. Mining was seen as a somewhat
threatening distraction to the objective of building stable, prosperous egalitarian communities. In a very
real sense, the survival of the early colonists during the first crucial years was dependant upon their success
in establishing agricultural pursuits, and anything else constituted a distraction that could not be afforded.
This led to an official policy that discouraged mining pursuits, but did not overtly prohibit them.
In light of this general bias against mining in the core area of Latter-day Saint settlement along
the Wasatch Front, it is interesting to note that Mormons in California were involved in the first discovery
of gold at Sutter’s Mill in 1848. Shortly after the main body of Latter-day Saints left Nauvoo, Illinois, in
1846, the federal government requested that Brigham Young raise a contingent of approximately 500 male
members of the church to serve in the U.S. Army. Congress had declared war with Mexico on May 12,
1846, and President James K. Polk was anxious to assert U.S. control over Upper Mexico and California,
and needed additional military forces to carry out his plan. The group of men raised from the Mormon
immigrants camped in Iowa became known as the Mormon Battalion. The group was outfitted in Fort
Leavenworth, and was sent west to provide support for support for General Stephen W. Kearny, commander
of U.S. forces in the western United States. The Battalion marched overland from Fort Leavenworth to
Santa Fe, New Mexico, and from there to San Diego, where they arrived in January of 1847. The men
were officially discharged at Los Angeles on July 16, 1847. Most of the men began preparations to head
east to meet up with the main body of the LDS Church, which had arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in early
July of that same year. However, a message was received from Brigham Young asking those men without
families to remain in California for the winter to work. Some of the men made their way north to Sutter’s
Fort on the Sacramento River, where they took contracts to work for Sutter in his business ventures. At
least six of the eleven men present at the first discovery of gold at Sutter’s lumber mill in January 1848
were Mormons who had been members of the Battalion. This find sparked the beginning of the California
Gold Rush. Although some of the Battalion members wanted to stay on in California, most returned to the
Salt Lake Valley as soon as possible.
The Mormon Battalion was not the first group of Latter-day Saints to arrive in California. A
group of 238 church members under the direction of Samuel Brannan sailed from New York on February
4, 1846 headed to California, arriving at Yerba Buena (San Francisco) in July 1846. From there, the
group was supposed to travel east to meet up with the main body of Mormon immigrants moving
overland from Nauvoo. Brannan, the leader of this group of Mormons who had sailed from New York
to California, strongly urged the church leadership and other pioneers to come further west to make their
fortune. However, Brigham Young declared to the people “Do not any of you suffer the thoughts to enter
your minds that you must go to the gold mines in search of riches. That is not the place for the Saints”
(Carter 1939:1). During the period of the early colonization of Utah, Young was concerned that the rush
to obtain riches would not only harm the effort to build safe and successful communities, but he was also
apprehensive about the effects of influx of miners and gold-seekers on Utah pioneers (Rickard 1932).
Some limited development of minerals and metals was pursued with the permission, and under the
direction of, Church leaders, as it met the needs of the developing agriculture and home industry base. Iron
ore deposits were discovered by the Parley P. Pratt exploration party in Iron County in 1850. Beginning
in 1851, the deposits were the focus of an active, but largely unsuccessful effort to produce iron. In 1854,
the Territorial Legislature offered a reward of $1000 for the first discovery of commercial coal within 40

13
miles of Salt Lake City. By the mid-1860s coal from Summit County was available in Salt Lake City at
$40.00 per ton (Utah Mining Association 1967:6). Other early efforts involved attempts to find suitable
lead sources for bullets, and the extraction of salt from area around the Great Salt Lake.
The gold rush of 1849 drew many classes of prospectors and people to California. Since Salt Lake
City was the one “oasis” in the desert crossing, many immigrants made their way through the city, some
becoming temporary residents before resuming their journey west. Although records dating back to 1859
confirm that the United States government was aware of the vast mineral potential of the Utah Territory,
the “rich and extensive placer deposits that were the first incentive to mining in many western camps
were lacking, and the lode deposits, though many of them were very rich, required extensive machinery
for profitable exploitation” (Butler et al. 1920:118). These challenges, together with the established anti-
mining stance taken by the political and religious leaders of the territory slowed the development of any
serious efforts at mining in the territory.
The commencement of the first intensive efforts related to mineral exploration and mining in Utah
dates to the arrival of Colonel Patrick E. Connor in October, 1862 (Butler et al. 1920; Rickard 1932).
Connor, who commanded a force of approximately 750 United States soldiers, was dispatched to the
Territory with the explicit orders to control “Indian depredations,” but also undoubtedly with the secondary
objective of keeping an eye on the Mormons, whom the federal government distrusted (Carter 1939:8), and
to offer protection to prospectors and overland immigrants. Upon their arrival, the soldiers immediately
established Camp Douglas on a bench east of and overlooking Salt Lake City (Butler et al. 1920). Shortly
thereafter, Colonel Conner [he was promoted to General in 1863] organized the West Mountain Mining
District. He then published a “circular to the world that ‘the strongest evidence that the mountains and
canyons in the territory of Utah abounds in rich veins of gold, silver, copper and other materials, and for
the purpose of opening up the country to a new, hardy and industrious population, deems it important that
prospecting for minerals should not be untrammeled, but fostered by every means’” (Carter 1939:8-9).
Colonel Connor, however, was not only concerned with encouraging mineral prospecting, but also with
promoting immigration to the Utah territory, as he considered the pervasive Mormon presence in the region
to be “troublesome” and he appears to have strong intentions to dilute Mormon influence in the Territory
by encouraging the immigration of non-Mormon “gentiles” into the region (May 1989:204; Rickard 1932).
In a July, 1864 report to the War Department, Connor stated:
As set forth in former communications, my policy has been to invite hither a large Gentile
population, sufficient by peaceful means and through the ballot box to overwhelm the Mormons by
force of numbers, and thus wrest from the Church - disloyal and traitorous to the core - the absolute
control of temporal and civic affairs. . . . With this in view I have bent every energy and means of
which I was possessed, both personal and official, toward the discovery and development of the
mining resources of the territory, using without stint the soldiers of my command . . .” [Carter
1939:9].

Connor encouraged his troops to spend their time prospecting, and he used government funds to
publish the Union Vedette, a pro-mining periodical that touted the prospects of Utah’s mineral wealth.
Connor also organized the first mining districts in Utah in 1863 in connection with the first claims on silver
veins in the Bingham area (May 1989:204). The earliest discoveries of rich deposits of silver, lead, copper
and zinc in Bingham Canyon were made by George B. Olgivie, Archibald Gardner and soldiers from Camp
Douglas (Ellsworth 1985; Carter 1939; Rickard 1932). These finds prompted a prospecting rush, strongly
supported by the Connor and the Camp Douglas soldiers, which lasted for three years. It is possible that,
were it not for Colonel Connor and the soldiers of Camp Douglas, it might have been many years before
the mineral resources of Utah would have been successfully mined. According to Rickard,

14
 In the summer of 1864 the West Jordan Mining Company was incorporated under the
laws of California, and a tunnel was started, at $60 per foot. In the same year, the first smelting
furnace was constructed by General Connor, who enlisted the help of friends in California; but they
were inexperienced, save in placer mining, and failed completely in this venture. In June, 1864,
another mining district, named the Rush Valley, was organized. This covered the western slope of
the Oquirrh range, leaving the eastern side to the West Mountain district. Vigorous prospecting
ensued; but these early operations languished, in spite of the discovery of several handsome
outcrops of argentiferous lead mineral, because so many obstacles stood in the way of profitable
mining [Rickard 1932:188].

Although claims were made and deposits discovered, the costs of mining were prohibitive until the
arrival of the railroad in 1869. Much of the mining that took place during the 1847 to 1869 period, and
during the period that followed, was carried out by small scale prospectors and self-employed entrepreneurs
seeking to make their fortune (Figure 4). While some of these men were grubstaked by larger interests,
many of them were totally independent, and worked at very small scale endeavors with limited capital
and technological resources. These men were very much in the romantic mold of the solitary American
miner of the Western frontier. Many of these men came west as part of the mining boom which began
with the California Gold Rush of 1849 and continued through the early decades of the twentieth century.
Individuals often prospected on their own, or as part of small organized groups, and conducted the initial
work to prove up a claim. If marketable ore was discovered, they often sold out to better organized firms
and consortiums which had the capital to exploit the deposits in an economically viable way. In this regard,
the early mining in many of the Utah Districts simply paralleled a broader pattern found throughout much
of the western United States.

Precious Metal Mining -- 1869 to 1940

Despite some early promising success with the discovery of ores in the West Mountain Mining
District, Rush Valley District and other areas, most of the early efforts to develop profitable mines in the
state failed due to its remote location and the high transportation costs associated with reaching distant
markets. With the arrival of rail transport, mining became profitable and much more feasible throughout
the state. The completion of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads at Promontory, Utah, on May
10, 1869, placed Utah in a position to more advantageously exploit and market mineral resources. “On
the advent of these railroads metal production became important, and as each branch line was completed,
a notable increase in output was observed. Several smelting towns (Sandy, Midvale, Murray and Morgan)
were built along the new lines south of Salt Lake [with the exception of Morgan which is actually located
northeast of Salt Lake City on the Union Pacific line], and several smelters along the branch line to
Bingham. The road from Sandy to Alta was also beneficial, and as the railroad extended southward other
mining regions were benefited, notably the Tintic and several districts in Beaver County” (Butler et al.
1920:118). “The completion of the railroad communication (also) led to the mining of silver ore in Little
Cottonwood Canyon, in the Wasatch Mountains, in 1864, by some of General Connor’s men, but it was of
no consequence until four years later” (Rickard 1932:189), when the Emma Mine was discovered. These
early successes in the 1860 initiated the first real mining boom within Utah, and from this time on, towns
grew up almost overnight (Ellsworth 1985; Herring 1979). Growth in some of these towns was, at some
periods, overwhelming. In fact, the town of Bluff, Utah, blossomed from its normal population “of 175 to
over 700 in only a few days” (Jensen 1966:97). Census figures for the years 1870 through 1920 indicate
that, excepting the states of Arizona and Colorado, Utah generally had the highest number of workers
identified as miners in the intermountain west region (Brown 1979). By 1917, 167 mining districts had
been established throughout the boundaries of the state, with at least 50 consisting of significant, dividend-
paying mining districts for both hard metal and soft rock mineral resources. Principal ores prospected
consisted of copper, silver, lead, gold and zinc in order of importance (Butler et al. 1920).
15
 Figure 4. Photo of two miners in front of unidentified mine
portal, ca. 1910 (Photo courtesy of Utah State Historical Society,
used with permission, all rights reserved. Shipler photo no. 196).

Following the arrival of the railroad, in the early days of Utah mining, silver was the most
economically important of the metal resources being extracted, and most of the rich silver-bearing ores
were found in the Park City and Tintic mining districts (Butler et al. 1920; The Salt Lake Mining Review
1912). By the early 1900’s, however, precious metal production had dropped considerably in proportion to
the output of other metals. “In 1917 copper alone yielded considerably more than 67 percent of the total
value” (Butler et al. 1920:129) of all metallic resources recovered in the state, the majority of which was
recovered from mines within the Bingham (West Mountain) district (Butler et al. 1920:130).
“In Utah, as in many of the Western States, the earliest important metal production was of placer
gold. Placer mining was begun at Bingham Canyon in 1865, and for some years yielded an important
production” (Butler et al. 1920:131). Generally, however,
“commercial placer operations in Utah have been generally unsuccessful or discouraging. . . . The
only gold placers which have contributed largely to the state’s gold output were right next door to
most of the state’s population - the Bingham mining district, southwest of Salt Lake City. Other

16
 placers have been worked in the state, notably in the La Sal Mountains, the Henry Mountains near
Marysvale, and on the Colorado River and its tributaries” (Parker 1966).

The Bingham placer operation, however, has been, and continues to be the most successful of the mining
operations within the state of Utah. In terms of gold placer production, the Bingham Mine’s highest
production was reached from 1868 to 1872. By 1905, more than $1,000,000 in gold from stream gravels
had been recovered from the Bingham mining district, with total statewide placer gold production equaling
approximately $1,800,000 by 1920 (Parker 1966). Other gold resources had to be mined out of hard-rock
mines.
Although the actual amounts of gold mined within the state were relatively small in comparison
to the other mineral resources, it still remained an important state and national resource. Even though
prospecting in order to get rich was forbidden by Brigham Young, “it is an irony of history that 100 years
after the colonizers entered the valley, Utah would be mining 20 percent of the nation’s gold production.
The figure has been even higher - in 1934 it stood at 34 percent” (Woodward 1964:npn). In fact, during
the years 1938 to 1948, Utah was consistently ranked within the top five gold producing states, and was
actually ranked first in the amount of gold produced during the period 1946-1948 (Salt Lake Tribune 1938,
1944, 1948; Deseret News, 1947).

Mining For Western Growth – 1940 to present

The period from 1890 to 1920 marked a crucial phase in the development of Utah’s economy,
characterized by the commercialization of agriculture, emergence of a substantial business sector and the
development of corporate mining and manufacturing (Poll et al.1989:429-430). While the single largest
occupation of Utahns between 1890 and 1920 was agriculture, the leading export industry was mining.
This growth of mining and manufacturing resulted in the state’s integration into the national economy.
While producers still struggled with the challenges of reaching distant markets, it was clear that the state
was becoming a significant economic force in the region and a major producer even at the national level.
In 1949 Utah ranked second nationally in the production of copper, silver, and molybdenum, third
in gold and lead, and seventh in zinc (Christy and Stowe 1981:197). By 1979 the state ranked first in the
production of gold and beryllium, second in copper and vanadium, third in iron, fourth in molybdenum,
and fifth in silver and uranium. In overall mineral production Utah has averaged about 2 percent of the
national total. It reached a high point in 1916, when the state reached 2.84 percent of national production
(Christy and Stowe 1981:197). In many sectors the state has continued to rank nationally in production of
key minerals. Since 1943, Utah has averaged 22 percent of the gold production in the United States, and
in 1944 reached a market high of 34.5% of national production. The state ranks consistently second in the
production of copper and has also been a leader in the silver (Christy 1981:198).
Integration of the state’s economy with the regional and national economies encouraged the
development of mining and extraction efforts that directly served to meet the needs of the rapidly growing
region of the western United States. The production focused in many cases on key non-metallic minerals
such as salt, gypsum, clays, phosphate, potash, etc. The exploitation of these less glamorous materials has
played a major role in the mining industry of the state since World War I.

Uranium and Fossil Fuels – 1948 to present

While Utah led the nation through much of the Post-WWII period in the production of several key
resources, those production numbers have been drastically reduced since the end of the twentieth century.
Although still economically important, some of the major industries have retracted as reserves have run out
and production has declined. However, within the period of the last twenty years, “mining in Utah [still]

17
accounts for almost nineteen percent of the nation’s copper, two percent of the gold, fourteen percent of
the silver, six percent of the lead and eight percent of the zinc” (Martin and Martin 1979:144-145).
Even as production of many of the precious minerals began to decline in the late 1900s, Utah saw
increased importance in the development of resources related to energy and fossil fuels. The development
of fossil fuels and other energy related resources is the final phase in the history of the state’s mining, and
runs concurrently with other developments taking place during the same time period in the other aspects
of mining discussed above.
No commercial discoveries of oil or gas were made in the state until 1948, and there were few early
indications of any substantial reserves of petroleum. Although the first oil exploration began in the state
as early as the 1880s, and some gas and oil fields of limited value were found in Davis, Washington, and
San Juan County, none of the finds resulted in meaningful commercial production. Sporadic exploratory
activity continued, and as geological knowledge increased drillers were able to more accurately locate oil
bearing strata (Ritzma 1981:211).
After the first commercially viable discoveries were made during 1948, production of oil jumped
from nearly zero to a rate of over 115,000 barrels per day in 1958 (Utah Mining Association 1967:9).
Numerous oil fields have been developed in Uintah, Duchesne and San Juan Counties. Interestingly, due
to variations in the geologic structures throughout the state, the development of energy related minerals
occurred primarily in those portions of the state that previously enjoyed little of the wealth from earlier
mining success in the metallic and ferrous minerals.
Presently, Utah has more than 140 producing oil and gas fields. Annual oil production peaked at
41 million barrels in 1985, and totaled almost 14 million barrels in 2002. A high of 348 billion cubic ft of
natural gas was produced in Utah during 1994, and 2002 natural gas production totaled 293 billion cubic ft.
Exploration for oil was very active in the 1970’s and 1980’s while natural gas exploration activity was high
from the 1980’s to today (Utah Division of Oil, Gas & Mining, Stever Schneider, personal communication
2003). The industry continues to be heavily influenced by both domestic and foreign policy issues,
environmental issues, and an increasingly integrated international market economy that strongly influences
economic conditions which affect domestic exploration and production.
Utah consistently ranks in the top four states in the domestic production of uranium. The
importance of this heavy metallic element was significantly and permanently changed during the World
War II period with the development of nuclear weapons for military applications as well as the pioneering
of nuclear reactors as a source of energy. The uranium industry underwent a major boom during the
1950s, largely in response to government sponsored exploration, milling and acquisitions programs. The
Cold War period was dominated by federal government policies that significantly impacted the economics
of the industry. By the mid-1960s the boom was over as the market collapsed in response to the end of
government purchasing and the increasing availability of cheaper foreign sources for commercial reactors.
Throughout the period of exploration and development of uranium in the state, activity was strongly
influenced by both government manipulation of the uranium market, and to a lesser degree by other aspects
of the law of supply and demand, and mining activities fluctuated accordingly. A record high production of
uranium oxide was reached in 1958 with the production of 6.1 million pounds (Neff 1981:217). Although
the uranium industry at present is seeing little activity in Utah, it has been a significant factor in various
parts of the state in the past.

18
Mining in Tooele County
Mining played a more prominent role in the development of Tooele County than almost any other
county in the state of Utah. Tooele County has more metal mining districts than any other Utah county
– 22 in all, and the economic role that mining played was key in many of the historical developments that
took place in the county (Utah Mining Association 1967:80).
The existence of silver ore near the Great Salt Lake had been known as early as 1857, but
the strong anti-mining sentiments of the leadership of the LDS Church effectively thwarted any early
exploration or exploitation of mining resources as already discussed above. The eventual development of
an active mining economy in Tooele County, and elsewhere during the early history of Utah Territory is
directly attributable to the influence of General Patrick Connor, who also played an instrumental role in
introducing mining to Tooele County.
Early in the summer of 1863, a fragment of lead ore was found by a local settler, George Ogilvie,
while he was logging in Bingham Canyon. Ogilvie took the samples to Camp Douglas near Salt Lake
City, where Connor and the Third California Infantry were stationed. Acting on the information from
Ogilvie, a group of soldiers from Camp Douglas, under the leadership of Captain A. Heitz, were able to
locate a promising deposit of argentiferous galena and copper in Bingham Canyon on the east slopes of
the Oquirrh Mountains. On September 17, 1863, the location of the find was claimed as the West Jordan,
which was the first mining location made in Utah. The following year, the West Mountain Mining District,
the first in the Territory, was organized. The district included the northern portion of the Oquirrh Range
(Rickard 1932:184-185). Shortly after the District was officially designated, Connor met with several
other interested parties at Archibald Gardner’s Mill on the Jordan River, where they drafted up the laws and
regulations of the new district, and elected Bishop Gardner the recorder of the district (Rickard 1932:186).
With this clear indication that the mountain range contained geological deposits containing precious
metals, the push to explore the remainder of the range began.
West of Salt Lake City, attention turned quickly from Bingham on the eastern slopes of the Oquirrh
Mountains to the western slope of that range. The mining town of Stockton was developed by
General Conner in 1864, and in 1870 the Ophir mines were discovered immediately to the south.
Still further south on the west slope of the Oquirrhs, the Tintic area was opened in 1870-71. The
quicksilver deposits that led to settlement of Mercur, between the Ophir and Tintic mines, were not
discovered until 1882. Separating silver from mercury was extremely difficult with the technology
available, however, and it was not until 1893, with the discovery of the cyanide separation process,
that the Mercur mines flourished, producing millions of dollars worth of gold, silver, and lead”
(Poll et al.1989:222).

In 1864, Connor located the first mining claim within the boundaries of Tooele County, the
Honorine. During that same year, Connor established a small army post in Rush Valley which he named
Camp Relief. The post quickly grew as a center for burgeoning mining activity on the west side of the
Oquirrhs. A town was surveyed and laid out, and the first permanent house was built. Connor named the
new community Stockton, in honor of his former place of residence in Stockton, California.
The Rush Valley Mining District was organized in 1864 by dividing the West Mining District,
organized by Connor at Gardner’s Mill the previous year, into two separate districts --one covering the
east slopes of the Oquirrhs, and the other the west slopes (Blanthorn 1998:121). The Rush Valley District
became the first of several mining districts established in Tooele County (Atkin et al. 1986).
Due to the stimulus from mining, the town of Stockton continued to grow. With the help of
backers from California, Patrick Connor built a smelting-furnace in the town to handle the ores from the

19
Rush Valley District. It was the first smelter east of St. Louis. Unfortunately, Connor and his supporters,
who were more familiar with the placer mining techniques successful in California, failed in their efforts
to succeed with the smelter in Stockton. Others followed up these first efforts, constructing the Monheim
and John Smelters in 1866. Development of the smelters resulted in the increased importance of other
municipal services and infrastructure. In fact, the town would eventually boast the first electric lights in
the state of Utah (Miller 1990). By 1866, supported by the presence of Connor and his men, Stockton had
grown to 40 houses and over 400 inhabitants (Miller 1986:15).
However, of the mining towns founded in Tooele County, Ophir and Mercur probably became
the most important. Ophir boomed in the 1870’s with an estimated population of 6,000 and mines that
produced millions of dollars in silver, lead, zinc and gold (Figures 5 and 6). Mercur’s fate waxed and
waned over the years as the community endured several boom and bust cycles as well as two major fires
(Powell 1994:559). By the fall of 1865, over 500 mining claims had been filed in the Rush Valley District.
Over the next six years, several other important mines were identified and developed such as the Ben
Harrison, Argent, Calumet, Galena, King, Tip Top and Bluestone.
On 23 August 1870 the Rush Valley District was divided three ways. The northern portion was
renamed the Tooele City District, and the southern portion became the Ophir District. The area in the
middle remained the Rush Valley District, although later the designation was changed to the Stockton
District (Blanthorn 1998:121).
A number of other districts were organized throughout the county during the late 1800s and early
1900s including the North Tintic (organized in 1902), Gold Hill-South Clifton (1869), Willow Springs
(1891), Point Look Out (1896), Shambip (1870), Free Coinage (1895), Silver Islet (1872), Lakeside
Mountain (1871), and Dugway (Blanthorn 1998). Few of these could compete with the prominence of the
Ophir, Stockton, and Rush Valley Districts, which were the leading producers for the county. The total
value of ore produced from mines in the Ophir-Rush Valley area between 1870 and 1927 was more than
$43 million (Blanthorn 1998:127).
Mining in Tooele County continued to be driven mostly by non-Mormons, with the off-duty
military personnel under General Connor playing a key role. Connor’s Pioneer mill in Stockton began
operation in 1864, but was largely unsuccessful in separating gold and silver from the lead-rich ores found
in the county. Connor and his troops were mustered out of service on 30 April 1866, and many of the
men left the Territory. With their departure, mining in the county slowed considerably, and mining related
activities would fluctuate considerably over the next several decades. In the years following the departure
of Connor’s men the town of Stockton went into a slow decline. One of the major difficulties encountered
by the mining districts in the county was their isolated location and the difficulty of getting their products
to distant markets and processing facilities. The lack of railroad transport rendered all the supplies and
equipment needed for mining quite expensive; a shovel cost $2.50 and a keg of powder, $100 (Rickard
1932:188).
When the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869, it provided a significant boost to
mining ventures throughout the northern area of the Territory (Blanthorn 1998:122). The railroad made
possible the development of the mining industry by dramatically reducing the cost of the transportation of
ore (Poll 1989 et al.:221). The rail lines encouraged the growth of large mining interests in Utah, such as
the mines in Bingham and Little Cottonwood Canyons, which produced significant amounts of silver, lead
and copper throughout the 1800s.
A Tooele resident, Eli B. Kelsey, worked at actively promoting mining in the area, and was able to
convince foreign and eastern capitalists to invest in both the mines and smelters of the county (Blanthorn

20
21
Figure 5. Panoramic view of Ophir ca. 1930 (Photo courtesy of Utah State Historical Society, used with permission, all rights reserved.
Shipler panorama no. 401).
 Figure 6. Photo showing town of Ophir, June 1930. (Photo courtesy of Utah State
Historical Society, used with permission, all rights reserved. Snipler photo no. 00524)

1998:122). In addition to the Pioneer Smelter, the Monheim, John, Waterman, Smith, Jack, Carson and
Bozo, and Chicago smelters were built and operating the in the Rush Valley District by 1873 (Blanthorn
1998:122). The development of mining in the area was facilitated as other efforts were made to construct
railroads into the various areas of the county, primarily to serve the needs of the mining districts. By 1875
the narrow gauge Utah Western Railroad line was completed from Salt Lake City to the Lakepoint Station
in Tooele County. From 1875 to 1883, ore was hauled by wagon from Stockton, Ophir and Dry Canyon to
this railhead on the south shore of the Great Salt Lake. The line was extended south to the town of Stockon
and to Bauer in 1883 (Miller 1986:131).
With an increase in mining activity in the Tintic District, the Salt Lake & Western Railway, a
subsidiary of Union Pacific, was organized in 1881 to provide service the mining areas of the county. The
new standard gauge line began at Lehi Junction on the Utah Southern Railroad two miles north of the town
of Lehi, and extended 53 miles around the north end of Utah Lake, through Five Mile Pass to a terminus
at Ironton. Although the promoters of this railroad initially envisioned it extending into Nevada to tap
the mining areas there and eventually continuing as far south as Los Angeles, the changing landscape of
railroading in the state caused the line to fail to ever meet this ambitious goal. However, by 1882 the line
was in operation, including a branch line to Silver City, and the company was delivering ore to the various
smelters in the Salt Lake Valley (Carr and Edwards 1989). Following the merger of the Salt Lake &
Western and Utah & Nevada railroads into the newly formed San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad,
a standard track was constructed from Salt Lake City south to Leamington, Millard County (about 20 miles
northeast of Delta, Utah).

22
 Mining success at Mercur during the period 1890 to 1917 was sufficient to convince Joseph G.
Jacobs to construct a standard gauge rail line, the Salt Lake & Mercur Railroad, into the area in 1895. The
route originated at Fairfield Station on the Oregon Short Line (formerly the Salt Lake & Western Railroad)
and connected both Manning and Mercur by rail (Carr and Edwards 1989:127-129).
Another railroad important to the success of mining operations west of Salt Lake City was the
Ophir and St. John Railroad. As rail service was gradually spreading throughout Utah, particularly in
the areas of high population or high mining activity, and the Southern Pacific, Los Angeles and Salt Lake
Railroad (later the Union Pacific) built its mainline to extend to the south of Stockton, construction of a
spur line was made feasible (Carr and Edwards 1989).
Montana Senator William A. Clark, a wealthy man who promoted both railroads and precious
metal mines, owned the Ophir Hill Mine. When the SP, LA & SL line was completed, Senator Clark was
“instrumental in the building of the St. John & Ophir Railroad from the St. John Station on the Salt Lake
Route...to Ophir. The branchline was constructed mainly for transporting the ores of his mine, but also was
made available to other mines in the canyon for their concentrates” (Carr and Edwards 1989:1370.
The St. John & Ophir Railroad was a standard-gauge line which ran for nine miles from the main
rail line connection up through Ophir Canyon to the town of Ophir. The first tracks were laid in early
1912, and the line reached the town on August 1, 1912. The arrival of the railroad to the town “was such
a long-looked for occasion that Clark and others proclaimed (the day) ‘Railroad Day,’ and residents and
visitors alike were treated to free rides to the mainline and back” (Carr and Edwards 1989:137). From that
point, the St. John and Ophir Railroad carried passengers, general freight, and ore from the mines, running
between Ophir and the mainline twice each day.
The St. John and Ophir line operated for sixteen years, as long as the amounts of ore produced by
the mines allowed the venture to be economically viable. “The railroad shut down in 1928, although the
tracks and the combination car remained in place till 1937” (Carr and Edwards 1989:137). Approval for
abandonment of the line was granted in 1938 and the tracks were removed.
Railcars for the St. John and Ophir consisted of one passenger car, freight bins for ore transportation,
boxcars as needed for other freight, and Climax-type locomotives. The St. John and Ophir was the “only
railroad in Utah known to have used the Climax-type engines” (Carr and Edwards 1989:137), which were
necessary to pull the trains up the steep 7% grade of the canyon to Ophir. When the line was abandoned,
the combination passenger-baggage car was left behind, and, at least as of 1989, still sat alongside the edge
of the road leading into Ophir. The car was abandoned at the old location of the rail yard, which was also
destroyed when the tracks were taken up.
Advances in mining technology led to a new boom at the towns of Mercur and Manning in the late
1800s and early 1900s. An Australian metallurgist by the name of William Orr developed a new process
for recovering gold from refractory ores using a cyanide process. A carload of ore was shipped from
Mercur to Orr’s lab in Denver for testing and the results demonstrated the applicability of the new process
to the Mercur area ores. In 1899 the Consolidated Mercur Gold Mines Company was formed, and a huge
new mill, the Golden Gate Mill, was constructed on the hill overlooking the town. Electricity was brought
in to run and light the mill. The power was generated at a hydroelectric plant built by L.L. Nunn at the
mouth of Provo Canyon, and was carried to Mercur by a high-voltage transmission line operating at 44,000
volts. It was the first extended high-voltage line in the world (Blanthorn 1998:145). With the introduction
of power and the railroad, the town of Mercur grew to over 2,500 inhabitants. The success of the mines
allowed the town to continue to grow.

23
 Although Tooele was/is the county seat, Mercur’s population was growing so fast that some
promoters suggested that the county government should be transferred to the mining town. This proposal
was never successful, and became a moot point as Mercur’s fortunes quickly began to sour. A devastating
fire swept through the town on 26 June 1902, destroying nearly all of the commercial district in the center
of the city. Fortunately the fire sparred the mill and most of the town’s homes, but the impact to businesses
proved more than many could recover from. The mill continued to operate until 1913, but became
unprofitable as the ores played out. In March of 1913, the Mercur mine and the Golden Gate Mill were
finally shut down due to diminishing profits and higher costs, and the town was completely abandoned
(Powell 1994; Miller 1990).
During the first part of the twentieth century, Mercur was not the only profitable mining venture
in the county. In 1910, an ore smelter was built east of Tooele by the International Smelting and Refining
Company, for the purpose of processing ores produced by the Bingham Mine. The smelter operated for
more than 60 years, and attracted employees from southern and Eastern Europe, thus diversifying Tooele’s
ethnic and religious mix, as well as bringing further mining expertise to the area. The Tooele Valley
Railroad was completed in 1909 to serve the smelter and provided additional mining-related employment
to the people of the area. Mining continued to provide significant economic support to the Tooele Valley
up to the late 1930’s to early 1940’s, when much of the land used in Tooele County was converted for the
use of military installations (Powell 1994; Alexander 1995).
By the turn of the century many of the small mines in the area north of Ophir and east of Stockton
were still continuing in operation but were encountering problems due to water in the lower workings. The
individual miners seldom had the capital or resources to effectively deal with this problem in the deeper
reaches of the active mines. Between 1901 and 1906 the Honarine Mining Company bought up many of
the mines and drove a lengthy tunnel at a depth of about 1200 ft to dewater the active operations. In 1910
the Bullion Coalition Company was formed and bought out the Honarine Mining Company and most of
the remaining small mining operations in the area and built a gravity concentrating mill at the portal of
the Honarine drain tunnel. This facility, located just northwest of Stockton, came to called Bauer, and
became the location of a very successful milling and processing operation. After the facility was taken
over by the Combined Metals Reduction Company, it led the nation in advancements in the milling and
processing of lead-silver ores. The processes of fine grinding and selective flotation soon became the
standard procedures for the industry.
The Honarine drain tunnel produced large quantities of water throughout the first part of the
century. The flow was estimated at times to be close to 10,000 gpm. Some of the water was necessary to
run the mill, but the rest was diverted for other uses. In 1910 the mine managers of the Bullion Coalition
Company decided to use the excess water for agricultural purposes. This resulted in a unique combination
of mining and fruit raising that provides an interesting side note to the mining history of the region. The
mining company began a ranch with an extensive orchard, alfalfa fields, potatoes and wheat. The orchard
grew to be one of the largest in the state, covering more than 175 acres with apricots, peaches and apples.
Apples were the dominant crop raised, with apple trees numbering more than 19,000 at the time of peak
production. Water from the drain tunnel was used to irrigate the orchard and crops, and was said to be ideal
for farming purposes because it contained some trace elements that appeared to be advantageous for the
trees. A large underground storage and sorting cellar was constructed, and the company shipped carloads
of fruit throughout the western United States. The orchard produced significant quantities of fruit during
the period 1910-1938, with production ending in 1938 when pumping operations in the Bluestone Mine
were stopped and the flow of water decreased.

24
 The mines and mill continued in operation throughout World War II. During the war, the federal
government’s need for strategic metals necessary to the war effort led the Army to assign active duty
soldiers to work in the mines as miners. The Bauer Mill and associated mines finally ceased operations
altogether in 1957 when rising costs and decreasing revenues made the operation unprofitable (Miller
1986).
Recent efforts have been made to revive the languishing mining areas of the Oquirrh Mountains
and to effectively continue the legacy of mineral exploitation that has been such an important part of the
county’s history. Although closed in 1913, the Mercur mine reopened in 1981, and with improvements in
both mining technology and the construction of a new cyanide processing plant, the mine was relatively
successful at processing relatively significant quantities of gold (Blanthorn 1998149-150; Powell
1994:361). Initial attention was focused on reprocessing the old tailings from the Golden Gate Mill, but an
aggressive program of exploratory drilling also confirmed the presence of low grade ores which were too
dispersed to be of interest to the miners of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. These deposits
were actively mined using open pit techniques (Skillings 1990). In September 1997, Barrick Gold, the
most recent operator of the Mercur Mine, announced that they would be closing the mine due to decreasing
profitability. Today the mine is closed and almost entirely reclaimed, with only a few buildings, ponds,
and roads remaining from the once busy operation.
Over the course of the past 140 years, the mining industry has contributed heavily to the economy
of Tooele County and the state of Utah, although the “higher grade, readily available deposits in Tooele
County have been mined out, leaving remaining known deposits of generally low grade” (Utah Mining
Association 1967:81). Tooele County’s mining deposits are not limited only to silver and gold. The
mining industry also produces significant amounts of lead, copper, zinc, cinnabar, antimony, magnesium,
manganese, mercury and tungsten. Important non-metallic resources include building stone, clay, gem
stones, gypsum, salt, sand and gravel, as well as oil and gas (Utah Mining Association 1967).
One of the most interesting aspects of the mining industry in Utah, particularly in Tooele County,
is that the major, precious metal–producing ore bodies are composed mainly of silver and lead, rather
than gold. “This combination of metals in the ores required special treatment for their recovery, which
proved to be advantageous to the State in several ways. It required the establishment of smelters . . . to
recover the values in the ores. The smelters, in turn, stimulated the expansion of the railroads, which were
needed to transport the ores and carry the supplies for the burgeoning industry” (United States Geological
Survey 1964:9). The need for such heavy industry fueled both growth in both the State and Tooele County,
encouraging the spread of an expanding population away from the city centers and into the rural landscape
(Alexander 1995).
Historically, the most important mining districts in Tooele County, at least in terms of precious
metal and mineral production, are the Camp Floyd (Mercur), Ophir, RushValley (Stockton), and West
Mountain (Bingham) districts. Two of these units, the Camp Floyd (Mercur) and Ophir districts, are
included within the survey boundaries of this report. Historic production figures for all of the mining
districts are summarized in Table 2.

The Camp Floyd Mining District

The Camp Floyd mining district was organized on April 16, 1870, following the 1869 discovery
of silver in Lewiston Canyon (later renamed Mercur Canyon) (Historical Records Survey 1939).

25
 Table 2. Metal Production from the Oquirrh Mountains Mining Districts, Utah
Copper (CU) Gold (AU) Silver (AG) Lead (PB) Zinc (ZN) Mercury (HG)
(1000 tons) (1000 oz) (1000 oz) (1000 t) (1000 t) (Flasks)
BINGHAM
1863-1972 11,900 13,253 244,413 2,400 1,004
1973-1981 1,670 3,639 ? ? ?
1982-1990 551 616 811
1991-1992 579 973 7,679
1993-1996 1,217 >51 >8,600
Total 15,917 18,997 261,503 2,400 1,004
MERCUR
1871-1950 0.2 1,100 223 1.8 0.7 3,338
1983-1990 766.6 ?
1991-1992 248.5 ?
1994-1995 210.1
1996-1997 875
Total 0.2 3,200 223 1.8 0.7 >3,338
OPHIR and STOCKTON
1870-1901 101.5 12 50 329 17
OPHIR
1902-1972 4.8 10.6 14 172 46
STOCKTON
1902-1970 2.9 74 11 245 86
BARNEYS
CANYON
1989-1990 157
1991-1992 238
1993 395
Total 109.2 790 75 746 149
TOTAL
16,026.40 23,017.20 253,201 3,147.80 1,149.70 >3,338
PROD.
Table adapted from Tooker 1999:147

“In 1858, U.S. Army troops, under the ocmmand of Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston,
constructed army quarters at Camp Floyd in Cedar Valley. Due to the Civil War, the post was
abandoned by 1862; however, some former soldiers remained in the area and prospected for
precious metals. A small discovery of silver ore was made and formed the start of the Camp Floyed
Mining District” (Blanthorn 1998:142).

The 1870 discovery of rich silver deposits at Ophir, several miles to the north, encouraged further
prospecting within Lewiston Canyon and deposits of ore contining both gold and silver were found, leading
to the development of several active mines. Ebenezer Shaw bought and developed what he named the
Sparrowhawk Mine to exploit a rich vein of stibnite ore containg high quantities of silver. Other important
claims included the Silver Cloud, Mormon Chief and the Grecian (Berge 2000). Sufficient ore was
extracted to justify the construction of a concentrator in 1872 (Utah Mining Association 1967). Mining
activities in the Lewiston Canyon area expanded quickly and after several mines were opened the town of
Lewiston was established. Some success was had in producing silver, but attempts to amalgamate the gold
ore failed. Assays confirmed the presence of gold, but the miner lacked a suitable technique to separate

26
the microscopic gold from the clay-rich ores. Silver production from the mines peaked during 1873, but
by 1880 most of the mines had been played out and were dormant (Berge 2000; Skillings 1983, reprinted
in Miller 1990). The majority of the Lewiston mines produced silver, although less significant amounts of
other minerals, such as cinnabar, were also extracted (Berge 1994). A catastrophic fire destroyed a large
part of the town of Lewiston at about the same time production was dropping off in the mines, and the area
was generally abandoned. The town would not be rebuilt until years later, when a second boom would fuel
the growth of a new community that was named Mercur.
The Mercur Mine was the largest and most productive mine within the Camp Floyd Mining
District, although several other significant mines, such as the Comstock, Black Bear, and Nora also
contributed substantially to the economies of the area. In terms of early gold production, “gold is present
in practically all the metal deposits of the State . . . In but few districts, however, is the most important
metal production in gold, and only one of these, Camp Floyd (Mercur), ranks among the important gold-
producing districts of the country” (Butler et al. 1920:131).

The Mercur Mine

One of the largest and most significant mines within the state of Utah, together with its associated
mills and township, was the Mercur Mine. Following the discovery of silver in Lewiston Canyon the
canyon was inundated by dozens of prospectors searching for other ore sources. One such prospector was
a man of German descent named Arie Pinedo. “On April 30, 1870, Arie Pinedo found cinnabar (mercury
sulfide) and named his claim Mercur in his native (Bavarian) language. He also identified gold in the
cinnabar, but it could not be extracted with methods known at that time” (Skillings 1983, reprinted in
Miller 1990:134). “Pinedo abandoned his claim after he failed to extract commercial amounts of mercury;
however, other area prospectors remained active, seeking both gold and silver” (Blanthorn 1998:143)
During the 1870s, about 1,500 residents of Lewiston engaged in the silver mining in the canyon, and
numerous claims were staked which criss-crossed the area. Nearly every assay indicated gold in addition
to the silver, but like Pinedo, all of these early miners failed to develop the means to extract the gold. When
the silver ores failed, Lewiston was abandoned despite this known resource of recalcitrant gold ore (Alder
and Alder 1959; Weder et al 1981).
During the late 1890s, national interest in western silver mines was beginning to wane, but some
eastern capitalists developed a new interest in investing in gold properties. This new source of outside
funding renewed intrest in the gold deposits of Lewsiton Canyon. Two eastern capitalits, G.S. Peyton and
H.W. Brown (Weder et al. 1981) “secured an option on Pinedo’s former claim for $10,000, and they in
turn sold it to John Dern, E.J. Airis, G.S. Peyton and Hal W. Brown, who then formed the Mercur Gold
Mining and Milling Company” (Blanthorn 1998:143). Subsequently, during the late 1880s and early
1890s, a new town named Mercur was built on the site of the former mining community of Lewiston. The
rebirth of the community was made possible by the development of new milling, extraction and smelting
methods (Alder and Alder 1959) introduced to the area by “William Orr, an Australian promoter of the
McArthur-Forrest cyanide process” (Berge 2000:iv). The process Orr was promoting for using cynaid
to leach the fine particulate gold from the clay-rich ores finally unlocked the gold reserves of Lewiston
Canyon. During the early 1890’s, the Mercur Gold Mining and Milling Company built the first cyanide
mill in the Camp Floyd district in nearby Manning, Utah, in order to efficiently process the cinnabar, silver
and other semi-precious minerals which were being extracted from the mines around Mercur (Weder et al.
1981). Although relatively small amounts of gold were also being pulled from the mines, the cyanide mill
did not have the means to efficiently or economically extract it until 1895, when Daniel C. Jackling, “who
later became prominent in the development of the Bingham Canyon copper deposit, entered the Camp
Floyd district and conceived the idea of roasting the ore prior to cyanide treatment to improve recovery of

27
the gold” (Skilling 1983, reprinted in Miller 1990:135). Jackling’s method was so successful that milling
costs were drastically reduced, and even low-grade ores could be processed at an overall profit (Sadler
1994). With improved milling technology allowing extraction of gold from ores containing only a small
percentage of the metal, the amount of material being processed quickly outgrew the Manning plant’s
capacity, as it was processing in excess of 500 tons of ore per day (Berge 2000).
In 1895, Capt. J. L. Delamar purchased the Golden Gate mining claims located next to the Mercur
workings. The Golden Gate mineral ores contained pyrite, sulfur and carbon, as well as silver and gold.
This combination of “contaminants” could not be efficiently processed at the Manning mill. In order to
overcome this difficulty, Capt. Delamar built a new processing mill in 1897-1898, just outside and upslope
of the town of Mercur (Snyder 1937). This mill, the Golden Gate, “was built with an original capacity
of 500 daily tons, one of the largest production mills in the United States (Berge 2000); it also became
a conspicuous landmark for the town (Figure 7). As mineral extraction became less expensive, many of
the smaller prospects were re-opened and worked individually. In 1899, the Mercur group mines of the
Mercur Gold and Milling Company and the Golden Gate mines consolidated to form the Consolidated
Mercur Gold Mines Company, which became one of the largest gold producers in the area (Snyder 1937;
Bringhurst 1994).
With the construction of the Golden Gate mill, the town of Mercur also expanded, in order to
support the growing mining and processing industry. By 1900, the population of the town had grown
to 2,351 (Utah Mining Association 1967). As the town’s population grew, the business district became
particularly successful, and supported an expanding variety of both mining and general civic concerns.
The town of Mercur seemed poised to become a significant boom town until early on the morning of June

Figure 7. Photo showing town of Mercur, June 1903. (Photo courtesy of Utah State
Historical Society, used with permission, all rights reserved. Snipler photo no. 00531).

28
26, 1902, when a fire broke out along the town’s main thoroughfare. This fire was perhaps the most well-
known and widely publicized event in Mercur’s entire history. “William Waterfall, a volunteer fireman,
records that he was called to the fire at 9:30 a.m.” As he reported,
From outside the hoist house I could see the flames coming through the roof of the Preble Building.
I blew the fire signal and phoned the mine, telling them to turn out as the town was doomed. By
the time I reached town, 1,200 ft below the hoist house, the fire was beyond control. By 12 o’clock
every business house in town was gone [Blanthorn 1998:146].

Although the town fire was a major setback for Mercur, the town struggled to recover and
continued to have some economic success. By 1910, the population of Mercur was estimated at between
8,000 and 12,000 (although the latter figure appears to be a considerable exaggeration). In 1913, when
total production had reached $16.5 million, mines and mills began to close with depletion of the ore bodies.
The last skip of ore was processed on March 30, 1913, and by 1917, Mercur was deserted (Skillings 1983,
reprinted in Miller 1990; Blanthorn 1998).
Despite the fact that the town of Mercer had been abandoned, the discovery of newer methods of
mineral recovery encouraged the reopening of the Mercur mines. In 1933, W.F. Snyder, together with the
Bothwell Group in Salt Lake City leased the old Consolidated Mercur Gold Mines Company properties,
reopened the mines and introduced more modern methods of treating both gold ores, and re-treating the
tailing dump piles (Millard County Chronicle 1940). During 1934, new ore bodies were discovered, and
the price of gold jumped from $20 to $35 per ounce (Snyder 1937). Snyder & Sons Co. and Manning Gold
Mines Co. erected a new mill at Manning, and when water became available in Mercur in 1937, the plant
was dismantled and reassembled at Mercur” (Skillings 1983, reprinted in Miller 1990:135).
However, even though mining at Mercur recommenced at a significant level, few permanent
buildings were erected, and the town never again grew to the size or significance it attained during the early
1900’s (Alder and Alder 1959).
Perhaps the most important aspect of the improved technology at the new Mercur mill was that it
allowed lower-grade ores to be economically processed. Even though many of the mines around Mercur
were not individually “rich,” the amount of gold-bearing ore actually being processed was significant.
In fact, because of the newer, more economic processing methods, Mercur became the second largest
gold producer in Utah. However, “in 1942, when the U.S. entered World War II, gold mines were closed
by government order, and gradually the Camp Floyd district became uninhabited, with only abandoned
mine portals, mill tailings, and remnants of the Golden Gate mill and a few other buildings dotting the
landscape” (Skillings 1983, reprinted in Miller 1990:135).
But the mining industry in the Mercur area revived itself once more. Interest in old mining
districts, and their mine workings was revived nationwide during the 1980’s, as the need for economically
viable, domestic sources of precious minerals was recognized. Once again the Mercur mines were
reactivated, this time by the Getty Mining Company, a division of the Getty Oil Company. In May, 1983,
Getty re-commenced mining operations at Mercur by opening an open-pit gold mine which was projected
to produce 80,000 ounces of gold annually. Production at this level made the Mercur mines second only in
production to the Bingham/Kennecott mine (15 miles northeast of Mercur). At the time the Mercur mines
were reopened, Getty Mining projections estimated that ore reserves could support mining and milling for a
period of 14 years (Skillings 1983, reprinted in Miller 1990), although they initially only worked the mines
for five years, drilling approximately 200 test holes during that period. The recovered ores suggested
that mineral reserves within the area averaged approximately 0.12 ounces per ton, but even at that small
percentage, was still economically viable. In 1981, Getty Mining entered into a joint venture with Gold

29
Standard, a small Salt Lake City based mining company with claims adjacent to the Getty mines. Together,
the two corporations received permission to build a new processing plant, and to recommence full-scale
mining. The plant was completed in 1983, and ore extraction then proceeded, but in 1984, Getty Oil (Getty
Mining’s parent company), merged with Texaco, which then divested all of its non-oil and gas interests.
The mines were sold to the American Barrick Resources Corporation for $40 million, which was expected
to run the mining operation until depletion of the reserves (Blanthorn 1998). During the early 1990s, the
Mercur mines were Utah’s primary source of gold (Blanthorn 1994). Declining profits led Barrick to
announce a phased out closure of the mine in 1997. Today the mine is completely closed and has been
almost entirely reclaimed.

The Ophir Mining District

The first mining claim filed in what was to become the Ophir mining district (located near the very
mineral-rich Mercur district) was registered in 1863, by Mr. Shelby Lineback, a soldier on furlough from
Fort Douglas (Blanthorn 1998; Cartwright 1980). Although Mr. Lineback filed the first mining claim in
1863, the first mineral-bearing ores were not actually discovered within the Ophir district for an additional
two years.
Treasure Hill, in East Canyon, . . . had long been a sacred spot where the Indians had gathered
each year to hold councils and obtain metal for bullets. Soldiers under General Patrick Edward
Connor’s command, attracted by these legends, located a cropping of lead ore at the St. Louis lode,
now known as the Hidden Treasure mine (Notarianni 1994). Other locations soon followed, but
very little was done until 1870, when the silver excitement in Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake
County stimulated prospectors. In the summer of 1870, A.W. Moore laid out the town of Ophir and
a new mining district was organized; in August horn silver was found on Silverado Hill, perhaps by
W. T. Barber, and other claims were soon located [Historical Records Survey 1939:24].

The Ophir Mining District was officially organized on August 23, 1870, when the Rush Valley
District was divided three ways, the Ophir mining district taking up the lower third of the former larger
mining district (Berge 2000). A location claim for the Silveropolis Mine was recorded the same day by
Connor’s soldiers. Another important mine within the district was the Antelope Mine, which was located
in 1871 by Heber C. Kimball, Harrison Sever, and W.R. Judd (Blanthorn 1998). Although not located
within the boundaries of this study, the Dry Canyon/Jacob City area is also contained within the confines
of the mining district. The most active and productive mines from this area were the Hidden Treasure,
Chicago, Mono, and Kearsage mines. Production from the Hidden Treasure during the years 1876 to
1880 totaled 8,300 tons of lead and 12 tons of silver (Hidden Treasure Mining Company 1880); the mine
operated into the 1940’s, eventually producing over 1,167 tons of silver ore. The other mines noted above
in combination produced over $3 million in ore (Blanthorn 1998).
Particularly important in the Ophir Mining District were the discoveries of very rich “horn,” or
chloride, silver ores. William Barbee found horn silver on Silverdo Hill, where the Silveropolis,
Chloride Point, Shamrock, and other claims were located. The Mountain Lion, Liver Chief,
Mountain Tiger, Rockwell, and other claims were made on nearby Lion Hill. From the Shamrock
Mine came the richest deposit of horn silver in the West – $27,000 per ton. The Treasure Hill mines
(where the first ore discovery was made in 1865, and) located near the head of a steep canyon
known as Dry Canyon, were at 8,000 feet in elevation. . . The total value of ore produced from
mines in the Ophir-Rush Valley area between 1870 and 1927 was more than $43 million [Blanthorn
1998:127].

30
 The town of Ophir grew to a significant size during the height of the mining boom in the Ophir
mining region. By 1871, the Community Methodist Church owned a building and boasted over 100
members. During the 1880’s, businesses consisted of a hotel, general store, saloon, and stables, as well as
other mining suppliers. At the turn of the century, Ophir also supported private homes, small businesses,
a fire department and a city hall, but the town gradually declined as mining activities dwindled (Blanthorn
1998). From a high of about 6000 during the boom days of mining in the area, the towns population
dropped to 199 persons in 1959 and to only about 25 permanent residents in 1990. Today, a few small
businesses continue in the central part of town, and many of the existing dwellings are used as summer
homes and for recreation.

Summary of Historic Information on Project Mines

The Ophir II project area lies in one of the richest mineral resource areas in the state of Utah.
Historic mining activity occurred with significant intensity over much of the project area, as is attested to
by a wealth of historic records. Between the Camp Floyd and Ophir mining districts, one-hundred fifty-
nine patented mining claims have been filed on properties that fall within the survey boundaries of the
project. A large number of additional claims occur within the district for the surrounding area. Following
is a summary of patented mine information for the named mines that could be identified as properties
associated with the openings examined during the project.
The documentation on these mines was extracted primarily from the Patent Records, which
contained the most detailed documentation. Patent records are on file in the Tooele County records for
mining claims filed beginning in 1886. The Camp Floyd and Ophir District Location Notices from 1870
onward are incomplete, and were discontinued in 1897.

Camp Floyd Mining District

Rover Mine #2
No documentation was located for this mine.

31
Nora Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Quit Claim Deed James H. Carpenter to Angus M. Cannon 09/27/1892 09/30/1892
Edward Hillman to Angus M. Cannon 10/03/1892 10/08/1892
Angus M. Cannon to Cannon Gold Mining and 05/02/1894 12/21/1894
Milling Company
Patent U.S.A. to Cannon Gold Mining and Milling Company 08/07/1897 02/06/1899
Deed Cannon Gold Mining and Milling Company to 02/01/1899 02/06/1899
E.H. Airis
Tax Sale E.H. Airis to Tooele County 02/17/1902 03/26/1902
Auditors Deed Tooele County 03/28/1906 09/04/1907
Quit Claim Deed Tooele County to George A. Jorgenson et al. 06/16/1922 06/17/1922
Mortgage Sam Jorgenson to Bank of American Fork 02/09/1928 02/14/1928
Mortgage Release Bank of American Fork to Sam Jorgenson 12/17/1935 12/18/1935
Quit Claim Deed Sam Jorgenson to L.D. Brown and H. Miller 08/28/1929 01/29/1930
(Annual Quit Claim Deeds were filed on behalf of LD Brown and H Miller in behalf of Glenn R.Bothwell
for the years 1930-1935.)

Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date

Mortgage Glenn R. Bothwell to Tooele County State Bank 1935
Deed Bothwell Estate to Bothwell Corporation 1938
Quit Claim Deed Bothwell Corporation to Geyser Marion Gold 08/13/1949 08/16/1949
Mine and Mill Company
Lease Geyser Marion to Gold Standard, Inc. 03/01/1973 11/07/1980
Lease Assignment Gold Standard, Inc. to Getty Mineral Res. 05/12/1981 05/18/1981
Lease Memo Johnson et al. to Tenneco Minerals Co 11/28/1989 02/09/1990
Lease Assignment Tenneco Minerals Co. to Tenneco Minerals Co., Utah 05/22/1992 06/12/1992
*The Nora Mine was one of the properties re-opened by the Getty Minerals Company, Mercur project, as
previously discussed.

Buena Vista Mine

Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim R.H. Carr, J.C. Jones, D.P. Meyers and J.C. 01/30/1896 02/05/1896
Weeter
Quit Claim Deed J.C. Jones et al. to J.C. Weeter 02/08/1896 03/07/1896
J.C. Weeter to C.D. Rooklidgen 03/07/1896 03/21/1896
C.D. Rooklidge to Mercur Park Gold Mining Co. 03/07/1896 03/21/1896
(Series of County Tax Sales, Redemption Certificates and Judgments on a yearly to bi-annual basis, 1899
to 1934. 1934 Court Judgment benefits Sam Jorgenson.)

32
Patent U.S.A. to Mercur Park Gold Mining Co. 07/01/1918 03/29/1945
Quit Claim Deed Sam Jorgenson to Glenn R. Bothwell 05/24/1934 05/31/1934
Decree and Deed Estate of G. Bothwell to Bothwell Corp. 11/09/1938 11/09/1938
License Pending Sam Jorgenson from AC Nordell 02/02/1939 02/02/1939
Joint Ownership A.C. Nordell and Sam Jorgenson Through 1944
Quit Claim Deed Bothwell Corp. to Geyser Marion Gold Mining 08/13/1949 08/16/1949
Company
1939 to 1973, grazing rights granted to Utah Livestock Production.
*As part of the Bothwell Corporation group of mines, the Buena Vista was also one of the properties re-
opened as part of the Mercur project developed by the Getty Minerals Company.

Keystone Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim John J. Brown and John Bogan 1895 1895
Quit Claim Deed J.J. Brown to Joseph Oberndorfer 11/06/1895 11/20/1895
John Bogan to Joseph Oberndorfer 11/03/1895 11/30/1895
J.J. Brown to Joseph Oberndorfer 11/29/1897 12/05/1897
John Bogan to Joseph Oberndorfer 11/08/1897 12/01/1897
Proof of Labor John Oberndorfer 01/26/1899 01/27/1899
Tax Sale Tooele County 02/17/1922 04/24/1922
Quit Claim Deed Tooele County to C.P. Burnham 12/17/1931 12/19/1931
Tax Sale C.P. Burnham to Tooele County 01/21/1932 06/15/1932
(The Juno, Primera, Minerva and Gladys mines were also included in the above tax sale.)

Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date

Quit Claim Deed Tooele County to H.A. Thompson 08/09/1939 08/09/1939
Agreement C.P. Burnham to F. B. Bothwell 09/23/1939 09/30/1939
Quit Claim Deed H.A. Thompson to Globe Mining and Smelting Co. 02/13/1940 02/13/1940
Warranty Deed G.F. and Dorothy Cowan to Leo H. and Virginia Ault 04/15/1959 04/29/1959
Warranty Deed Leo H. Ault to Floyd Myers 10/19/1961 10/24/1961
Quit Claim Deed Floyd Myers to Leo H. Ault 09/14/1981 09/18/1981
Mineral Lease Gretchen R. Duff and Sara R. Henry to Homestake 10/30/1980 02/16/1982
Mining Company
Quit Claim Deed Floyd Myers to Leo H. Ault 09/14/1982 03/29/1982
Deed and Assignment Priority Minerals to Rochester Minerals 11/30/1990 02/11/1991
Quit Claim Deed Rochester Minerals to Priority Minerals 06/14/1991 10/15/1991

*The Keystone Mine Group included the Juno, Primera, Minerva and Gladys mines as of 1931. There is no
record of the Keystone Mine Patent in the County Records. Timing between documents seems to indicate
that no regular labor was being conducted in the mine proper, particularly since the Keystone appears to
have remained mostly under the ownership of private individuals.

33
Summit Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim Not located
Proof of Labor William Lambert et al. 12/29/1897 12/31/1897

(During the period 1910 to 1922, a series of tax liens were placed against the Summit mine.
These liens were redeemed by the Little Pittsburgh Mining Company until 1922.)
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Quit Claim Deed Tooele County to G.A. Jorgenson et al. 06/16/1922 06//17/1922
Mortgage Sam Jorgenson to Bank of American Fork 02/09/1928 02/14/1928
Release Bank of American Fork to Sam Jorgenson 12/17/1935 12/18/1935
Quit Claim Deed Sam Jorgenson to H. Miller and C.D. Brown 08/28/1929 01/29/1930
(Consolidated with the Nora Mine)
H. Miller et al. to G.H. Melville 06/11/1931 07/28/1931
(Annual Quit Claim Deeds were filed on behalf of LD Brown and H Miller in behalf of Glenn R. Bothwell
for the years 1930-1935.)

Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date

Mortgage Glenn R. Bothwell to Tooele CountyState Bank 1935
Deed Bothwell Estate to Bothwell Corporation 1938
Quit Claim Deed Bothwell Corporation to Geyser Marion 08/13/1949 08/16/1949
Gold Mine and Mill Company
Lease Geyser Marion to Gold Standard, Inc. 03/01/1973 11/07/1980
Lease Assignment Gold Standard, Inc. to Getty Mineral Res. 05/12/1981 05/18/1981
Lease Memo Johnson et al. to Tenneco Minerals Co. 11/28/1989 02/09/1990
Lease Assignment Tenneco Minerals Co. to Tenneco Minerals Co., Utah 05/22/1992 06/12/1992
*The Summit Mine was one of the properties re-opened by the Getty Mineral Group.

Eagle Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim Not located
Quit Claim Deed John P. Taylor to Little Pittsburgh Mine Co. 10/24/1895 10/31/1895
Proof of Labor Little Pittsburgh Mine Co. 1910 through 1912

(A series of tax liens was brought by Tooele County against the Eagle Mine and the Little
Pittsburgh Mine Co. Between 1912 and 1922. There are no redemption certificates on file.)

Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date

Quit Claim Deed Tooele County to G.A. Jorgenson, et al.. 06/16/1922 06/17/1922
Mortgage Sam Jorgenson to Bank of American Fork 02/02/1928 02/14/1928

(In 1929, a merger was formed between the Robert 1, Little Pittsburgh, Junction, American Eagle and Spar mines.)

34
Mortgage Release Bank of American Fork to Sam Jorgenson 12/17/1935 12/18/1935

(Annual Quit Claim Deeds were filed on behalf of LD Brown and H Miller in behalf of Glenn R. Bothwell
for the years 1930-1935.)

Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date

Mortgage Glenn R. Bothwell to Tooele County State Bank 1935
Deed Bothwell Estate to Bothwell Corporation 1938
Quit Claim Deed Bothwell Corporation to Geyser Marion 08/13/1949 08/16/1949
Gold Mine and Mill Company
Lease Geyser Marion to Gold Standard, Inc. 03/01/1973 11/07/1980
Lease Assignment Gold Standard, Inc. to Getty Mineral Res. 05/12/1981 05/18/1981
Lease Memo Johnson et al. to Tenneco Minerals Co. 11/28/1989 02/09/1990
Lease Assignment Tenneco Minerals Co. to Tenneco Minerals Co., Utah 05/22/1992 06/12/1992
*The Eagle Mine was one of the properties re-opened by the Getty Mineral Group.

Ophir Mining District

Mollie Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim No information available.
Proof of Labor James Veitch 12/27/1897 12/29/1897
James Veitch 10/05/1898 10/10/1898
Patent U.S.A. to J. O. Veitch 04/04/1899 06/28/1899

*Similar documents were filed for the Francis Mine.

Jersey Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim S.J. Pollack, S.W. Clark 09/30/1895 10/11/1895
Quit Claim Deed S.W. Clark et al. to W.E. Hubbard 01/17/1896 12/17/1896
W.E. Hubbard to Northern Light Mining 06/03/1896 12/29/1896
and Milling Company
S.W. Clark et al. to W.E. Hubbard 12/26/1896 12/291896
Patent U.S.A. to Northern Light Mining and 12/07/1897 08/14/1930
Milling Company
Tax Sale Tooele County 02/15/1904 04/14/1904

(A series of liens filed by Tooele County, and redemption certificates in behalf of Northern Lights
Mining and Milling Company and Lion Hill Consolidated Mining and Milling Company were filed on
a yearly to bi-annual basis until 1925).

35
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Lease Option Tintic Ophir Mining to F.E. Porter 06/28/1941 02/15/1941
Option Release F.E. Porter to Tintic Ophir Mining 05/20/1942 12/06/1947
Warranty Deed F & S Co. to Mann Enterprises 09/08/1980 09/09/1980
Mann Enterprises to Mervin J. and Georgia Russel 09/25/1981 03/29/1984
*Similar documents were filed for the Boston Mine.

Lakes of Killarney Mine

Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim Not located
Warranty Deed A.A. and Clarice A. Britin to Gold Note 04/06/1892 04/11/1892
Mining Company
Certified Sale Tooele County to Edward Dalton 12/23/1896 01/23/1897
Quit Claim Deed Alfred Slineback to Gold Note Mining Co 11/04/1899 11/13/1899
Proof of Labor Gold Note Mining Company 1899 through 1902

(For the period 1907 through 1927, documentation consists of multiple Tax Liens on behalf of Tooele
County, and Redemption Certificates for the credit of Gold Note Mining Company.)

Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date

Quit Claim Deed Gold Note Mining Company to Lakes 02/11/1927 02/11/1927
of Killarney, Inc.
Lease Lakes of Killarney, Inc., to W.D. Yager 04/02/1934 06/21/1934
and G.M. Cuther
Quit Claim Deed Tooele County to June Cannon Orme 06/02/1944 06/02/1944
June Cannon Orme to A.L. Hansen 02/18/1946 02/18/1946
Deed A.L. Hansen to Silver Standard Mining Co. 05/28/1946 06/28/1946
Quit Claim Deed A.L. Hansen to Lewis N. Ellsworth 12/03/1945 05/07/1948
Assignment A.L. Hansen to Dr. Ernell Jensen 05/28/1947 05/07/1948
A.L. Hansen to Russel Cashin 11/28/1949 02/15/1957
Quit Claim Deed Wallace Peck to Silver Standard Mining Co. 03/08/1957 05/06/1957
Tax Sale Tooele County 05/–/1969 07/11/1969
Tax Deed Tooele County to Lynn S. Ellsworth 07/10/1969 07/11/1969

*Although the Lakes of Killarney Mine is included in the Patented Mining Claims records, no actual
Patent was ever filed or recorded.

36
Nyanza Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Proof of Labor A. Shelby Lineback et al. 01/03/1898 01/04/1898
Certificates filed annually 1898 through 1901.
Patent U.S.A. to A. Shelby Lineback 05/13/1903 10/13/1903

(Series of Tax Sales in behalf of Tooele County and Redemption Certificates from A. Shelby Lineback filed
1924, 1931, 1937. No Redemption Certificate recorded following 1937 tax lien.)

*A. Shelby Lineback was the first miner to file a claim in the Rush Valley Mining District, later the Ophir
Mining District.

Wachusett Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim Not located
Quit Claim Deed August L. Dimondi et al. to Olga Dimondi 02/12/1895 0/1/08/1896
Olga C. Dimondi et al. to E.A. Clark 01/02/1896 01/08/1896
Patent U.S.A. to C.E. Aumond and A.L. Simond 03/20/1896 03/08/1897
Proof of Labor L.J. Clark 12/24/1897 12/30/1897
Quit Claim Deed August L. Dimondi et al. to E.A. Clark 03/09/1894 01/31/1898
C.E. Aumond to E.A. Clark 03/09/1894 01/31/1898
E.A. Clark and wife to Wachusett 01/28/1898 01/31/1898
Mining Company
Wachusett Mining Company to Chloride 03/08/1898 03/15/1898
Point Consolidated Mining Company
Proof of Labor Wachusett Mining Company 04/14/1899 04/15/1899
Judgments Thomas Mathmiliale and Telluride Power 01/14/1901 02/15/1901
V. Chloride Point Mining
Tax Sale Tooele County 02/20/1905 02/25/1905
Redemption Cert. Tooele County to Hubbarah Investment Co. 01/04/1906 01/20/1906

(Upon recording the Redemption Certificate, the Wachusett Mine formally became part of a very large
mining group which included mines such as Chloride Point, Red Bird among others. These mines were
consolidated with the mines of the Lion Hill Mining Company, Ophir Metals, and Three Metals Mining
Company. These mines were all part of a consolidated group until 1923. No further documents were filed
until 1980, when Mann Enterprises started to manage all the mines. Proofs of labor were filed by Mann
Enterprises for the period 1981 to 1986.)

Notice of Default Robert W. Hughes Vs. Mann Enterprises 06/22/1994 06/27/1994

37
Chloride Point Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim Not located
Quit Claim Deed B.P. Oliver to P.E. Connor 03/14/1891 05/12/1892
(Undecipherable) Connor Estate to George St. Clair 10/01/1895 11/29/1895
Mortgage Maurice J. Connor to J.F. Connor 03/01/1896 03/01/1896
Redemption J.F. Connor to Maurice J. Connor 01/16/1897 11/25/1897

(Series of Tax Liens and Judgments placed against the mine by Tooele County and several mining suppliers
during the period 1900-1901. After 1901, the Chloride Point mine was placed into receivership, and sold
to various entities such as the Lion Hill Mining Company and Elizabeth Goldthwaite in order to satisfy the
liens. In 1921, the mine was consolidated into the group which also owned the Red Bird and Wachusett
mines. Liens continued to be placed against the property until 1923, when Three Metals Mining Company
filed a Redemption Certificate. No other documentation is available until 1980, when the Chloride Point
was absorbed into the group run by Mann Enterprises, who filed Proofs of Labor for the period 1981 to
1986, as with the Wachusett mine, above.)

Notice of Default Robert W. Hughes Vs. Mann Enterprises 06/22/1994 06/27/1994

Buffalo Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim Samuel J. Pollock 01/01/1903 02/13/1903
Proof of Labor Samuel J. Pollock 1904 through 1907
Quit Claim Deed Samuel J. Pollock to Buffalo Consolidated 10/01/1908 03/12/1909
Proof of Labor N. and G. St. Clair for Buffalo Consol. 1914 through 1947

(The Fair Day Number 2, McClellan and Baltimore Number 2 mines were consolidated into one working
group in 1937 by Buffalo Consolidated.)

Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date

Lease and Option Buffalo Consol. to International Smelting 11/21/1947 03/16/1948
Notice to Hold International Smelting 1948 through 1950
Deed Buffalo Consolidated to Tintic Ophir 06/26/1953 06/27/1953
Proof of Labor Tintic Ophir 1953 through 1969
Merger Certificate Tintic Ophir to Jewelteck International, Inc. 10/14/1969 01/21/1970
Quit Claim Deed Jewelteck International, Inc. to U. Beva Mines 12/31/1969 01/21/1970
Proof of Labor U. Beva Mines 08/31/1970 08/31/1970
Quit Claim Deed U. Beva Mines to Delvin T. Pond 10/25/1970 11/05/1970
Delvin T. Pond to Silver Age Industries 11/03/1970 11/05/1970
Silver Age Industries to F. & S. Co., Inc. 11/06/1970 06/17/1971
Proof of Labor F. & S. Co., Inc. 1971 though 1973

*No patent was recorded for the Buffalo Mine.

38
Empire Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim Northern Light Mineral and Mining Co. 10/13/1896 05/19/1897
Proof of Labor Northern Light Mineral and Mining Co. 1897 through 1904
Tax Liens/Sales Tooele County 1904 through 1907
Warranty Deed Northern Light Mineral and Mining Co. to 02/18/1907 12/11/1908
Lion Hill Mining Co
Trust Deed Lion Hill Mining to Salt Lake Security Trust 06/15/1908 12/11/1908
Redemption Cert Salt Lake Security to Lion Hill Mining 05/17/1912 05/29/1912
Tax Sale Tooele County 02/09/1914 04/08/1914

(In 1914, the Empire Mine was consolidated with the Lion Hill Fraction, CLC, MHC, AGC, Mountain
View 14, Winter Quarters, Mint, Rosa 1-2, Boston, Jersey, Surprise, Swansea and Swansea Fraction mines,
among others, which were owned by International Smelting and Refining Company. At least 80 mines
were consolidated into the International group.)

Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date

Redemption Cert. Tooele County to International Smelting 12/15/1947 12/15/1947
Proof of Labor Ophir Mining Company 1953 through 1970
Merger Certificate Ophir Mining to Jewelteck International 10/14/1969 01/21/1970
Quit Claim Deed Jewelteck International to F. &. S. Co. 10/14/1969 01/21/1970
Proof of Labor Tintic Ophir and F. & C. Co. 1971 through 1980
Patent U.S.A. to Henry W. Lawrence 10/28/1980 09/18/1981
Proof of Labor Mann Enterprises 1981 through 1994
Notice of Default Robert W. Hughes Vs. Mann Enterprises 06/22/1994 06/27/1994

Chance Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim George St. Clair 06/05/1882 05/19/1894
Quit Claim Deed Henry W. Lawrence et al. to W.E. Hubbard 02/03/1896 02/03/1896
W.E. Hubbard to Northern Light Mining 02/03/1896 04/25/1896
Proof of Labor Northern Light Mining 1896 through 1899
Tax Sale Tooele County 02/15/1904 04/14/1904

(The Northern Light mining group entered into a Joint Trust Deed with Lion Hill Mining in 1904. The
terms of the deed were not met, and the mine was sold at Sheriff’s Auction on 03/12/1918 to Elizabeth
Goldthwaite, who also owned the Columbus mining group. E. Goldthwaite held title to the Chance mine
until 1925, when it was deeded by Walter B. Farmer to Three Metals Mining.)
*Duplicate documentary history as the Empire, Buffalo, Chloride Point and Wachusett mines after 1970.

39
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Proof of Labor Three Metals Mining 1922 through 1925
Tax Sale Tooele County to G. L. Peters 01/12/1926
Quit Claim Deed G.L. Peters to J.R. Walker 11/30/1926 12/17/1926
Warranty Deed J.R. Walker to Tintic Ophir Mines 01/29/1927 02/08/1927
Proof of Labor Tintic Ophir Mines 1928 through 1947
Merger Certificate Tintic Ophir Mines with Jewelteck Int’l. 10/14/1969 01/21/1970

The Old Sweetwater Mine

No documentation was located for this mine.

Ophir Mine
Documentation Individual/Entity File Date Record Date
Location of Claim W.A. Kelley, M. Shaughnessey 05/15/1891 05/16/1891
Mortgage M. Shaughnessey to Daniel Eyre 10/03/1891 10/05/1891
Patent U.S.A. to Clesson S. Kenney 03/18/1899 04/17/1899
Right of Way C.S. Kenney to St. John and Ophir Railroad 05/06/1912 05/06/1912
Warranty Deed Antoinette Kenney to S.P. Kenney 11/16/1915 11/16/1916
Distribution Decree Ned Warnok to S.P. Kenney 11/22/1977 12/07/1977
Mining Easement R.F. Kenney to Utah Power and Light 11/29/1982 03/04/1983
Lease Agreement R.F. and Verona Kenney to Centurion Mines 12/31/1991 03/04/1992
Release Centurion Mines to R.F. and Verona Kenney 01/25/1994 11/16/1994

Little Pittsburgh Mine

No documentation was located for these two related mines except for references to mergers with other
mining entities.

Survey Results

Site Designations
The specific mine openings examined during the project were selected in advance by the Division
of Oil, Gas and Mining as potential sites of mine closure and/or reclamation activity. The mine openings
were grouped by DOGM into seven named groups: Foothills, Ophir Canyon, Dry Canyon, South Fork
Ophir Canyon/Meadow Canyon, Silveropolois Hill, Rover Hill, and Mercur Canyon. A total of 165
openings were identified by DOGM for examination and were grouped by us into 23 defined sites and
52 isolated features. The occurrence of sites by Mine Group is summarized in Table 3 and the legal
description of the mine locations is presented in Table 4. Other basic data on each of the archaeological
sites, including associated DOGM tag numbers, is summarized in Appendix A. One non-mine site was also
recorded because of its proximity to one of the mines. That site was the historic Ophir Canyon Road.

40
 Table 3. Site Locations by Group
Group State Site Number Map Reference
42TO2181
Foothills Area Stockton
42TO2358
42TO2182
42TO2359 Ophir & Stockton
42TO2360
42TO2183
42TO2184 Stockton
Dry Canyon
42TO2185
42TO2186
42TO2187
Ophir
42TO2188
42TO2189
42TO2190
Ophir Canyon 42TO2191 Ophir
42TO2192
42TO1772
42TO2193
Silveropolis 42TO2194 Mercur
42TO2195
42TO2357
Rover Hill 42TO2196 Mercur
South Fork Ophir Canyon/ Meadow Canyon 42TO2197 Mercur
Mercur Canyon 42TO2198 Mercur

The openings were grouped on the basis of proximity into 23 sites which were assigned
archaeological site numbers using standardized state designations obtained through the Utah Division
of State History. These site numbers follow the uniform Smithsonian trinomial numbering system that
combines a state and county designation with a sequential identifying number. Seventy-three other mine
openings were situated in isolated locations that lacked any significant cultural associations, and they
were therefore assigned Isolated Feature designations. Due to their limited nature, these openings were
not recorded using IMACS forms, but were instead documented using an Isolate Form that gathered
standardized information at a less detailed level.
Although some mine names appear on the USGS topographic maps of the area, and named
mines were identified in the historic research, it was not always possible to associate a given opening
with a specific known mine name. Archaeological site boundaries were drawn primarily on the basis of
topography and proximity between openings, and therefore they do not correlate well with the historic
designations suggested by written records. Some archaeological sites include more than one named mine.
However, we do not know of any instances where openings clearly related as a single named mine have
been split between two defined archaeological sites.
A separate numbering system is employed by the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining to designate each
opening. In their system, mining features identified for inclusion in the Utah Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Program are designated by tag numbers which provide a short-hand reference for each opening. This
reference number is unique and is descriptive of the feature and its location. The documentation of the

41
 Table 4. Site Locations and Legal Descriptions
No. of Tagged
Site No. Mine Name Legal Location Acres
Mine Openings
42TO2181 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 5 0.68 1
42TO2182 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 21 2.99 7
42TO2183 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 21 0.36 1
42TO2184 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 15 1.70 1
42TO2185 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 22 6.99 2
42TO2186 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 21 0.01 2
42TO2187 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 21 0.41 1
Nyanza; Lakes of
42TO2188 T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 21 12.58 7
Killarney; Unknown
42TO2189 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 22 2.13 2
42TO2190 Ophir Mine; Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 28 1.75 6
42TO2191 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 27 0.49 1
The Old Sweetwater;
42TO2192 T 5 S,R 4 W, Section 26 1.98 6
Unknown
42TO2193 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 24 1.90 1
42TO2194 Buffalo; Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 25 2.90 2
Wachusett; Keystone;
42TO2195 T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 25 76.41 45
Chloride Point; Unknown
Little Pittsburg Mine;
42TO2196 T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 36 1.77 3
Unknown
42TO2197 Unknown T 5 S, R 3 W, Section 32 0.44 1
42TO2198 Geyser-Marion T 6 S, R 3 W, Sections 6 and 7 1.71 3
42TO2357 Ophir Mine T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 28 0.08 1
42TO2358 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 8 0.23 2
42TO2359 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 21 1.05 3
42TO2360 Unknown T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 21 1.01 6
42TO2361 (Historic Road) T 5 S, R 4 W, Section 27 0.15 0
42TO1772 158 (incl. 15
Lion Hill Mining T 5 S, R 4 W, Sections 24 - 26 9
(PR Site) add’l acres)
Totals 277.72 113

mines was undertaken through the completion of an Intermountain Antiquities Computer System (IMACS)
site form tied to the Division of State History site number, but careful attention was paid to also link all
documentation to the state tag designations employed by DOGM as well.
The DOGM state tag number system is briefly explained here since the numbers are used throughout
the documentation to refer to specific features. In this numbering system, each mine opening or feature is
identified by a unique site identification number which follows a standardized format. The identification
number (ID or state tag number) is a three part designation consisting of seven digits followed by two
letters followed by three final digits. The first digit indicates the mine location in relation to four quadrants
formed by the Salt Lake baseline and meridian (SLBM). Townships north and east of the SLBM are coded
A1.@ The other three quadrants are numbered in counter clockwise order (NE= 1, NW= 2, SW= 3, SE= 4).
The second and third digits indicate the township, the third and fourth digits indicate the range, and the
sixth and seventh digits indicate the section. These numbers are followed by letters indicating the type of

42
mine opening (H= horizontal adit, I= inclined adit, V= vertical shaft, SH= subsidence hole, PR= Prospect,
PT= open pit, TA= tailings). In the case of shafts and adits, the final letter designates whether the mine
is open (O) or closed (C). These letters are followed by numbers that are sequential numbers assigned as
the openings were encountered during the field inventory. Thus, site number 4060318HO003 is located in
the southeast quadrant of the state and is the third open adit (horizontal opening) inventoried in Township
6 South, Range 3 East, Section 18.
A cross-reference of all DOGM numbers and their associated State History archaeological site
numbers is included in Appendix B.

Site Assessment Categories

The mining properties assessed during this project were evaluated on the basis of cultural integrity,
cultural sensitivity, and potential to yield additional data. A ranking system was developed which
combined these factors in order to allow each mine to be assigned to one of four categories expressive of
the site’s significance and sensitivity. The categories are designated 1, 2, and 3, with category 3 being the
most significant. A fourth category – Isolated Feature – was extensively employed on this survey, and was
used to designate openings that did not even rise to the level of integrity necessary to qualify them as an
archaeological site requiring formal IMACS documentation.
Sites are defined as locations containing remains of past human activity that are at least 50
years old and contain at least one of the following criteria: ten artifacts of a single class within a ten-
meter diameter area except when all the pieces appear to originate from a single source; at least fifteen
artifacts which include at least two classes of artifact types within a ten-meter diameter area; one or more
archaeological features in temporal association with any number of artifacts; or two or more temporally
associated archaeological features without artifacts.
Isolated Finds are openings that are extremely modest in nature and are not associated with any
other cultural features or artifacts. Most consist only of a single isolated shallow prospect or completely
closed adit that will probably not be the subject of any further remediation activities. The openings
themselves are small, with little depth or integrity and occur as isolated features unrelated to any other
archaeological materials with the exception of very minor waste materials. These openings are so limited
in nature that they were not assigned archaeological site numbers and were not documented using IMACS
forms. These openings are not classified as “historical sites” as defined by preservation law, and can be
closed or reclaimed without any further consideration.
Category 1 mines are characterized by sites of a very modest character. They typically include
adits or prospects that possess few or no other additional cultural elements other than the opening itself and
some limited tailings or waste. These sites may include a small range of associated artifacts, but there are
no additional features or structures. Most category 1 sites could be closed with little impact to anything
other than the actual adit itself.
Category 2 mines are characterized by more extensive archaeological remains that typically
consist of one or more adits associated with additional limited features, such as ore chutes, retaining walls,
timber framing, or other mining related developments of a limited nature. These sites may posses a more
extensive range of associated artifacts. These mines are typically eligible under criterion A of the National
Register of Historic Places and reclamation efforts pose some risk to the features associated with the mine
openings.

43
 Category 3 mines represent the most extensive type of property identified in the Ophir II Abandoned
Mine Project. They include sites which posses more complex structural elements, such as associated
buildings, extensive ore handling features, walls, timber bracing, or extensive quantities of related artifacts.
These sites are likely eligible under criteria A and D and have potential to yield additional information
and may be suitable for interpretation. Closure activities would definitely have to accommodate adjacent
cultural materials that might be impacted by rehabilitation efforts.

National Register Evaluation Summary

Thirteen of the 24 mines evaluated are recommended as eligible for inclusion in the National
Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under criteria A and/or D. Although many of these properties are
limited in both size and scope, each contributes to the overall understanding of mining activities in the
Oquirrh Mountains.
Most of the mines in the project area resulted from exploration and extraction activities associated
with the hard rock base metal and precious metal mining boom in the late nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries in the western United States. Although most of the sites are relatively modest in scope, those
that retain integrity and have the ability to convey aspects significant to the regional mining history or
which have the potential to yield additional archaeological and historic information are recommended
as contributing resources to a regional historic context associated with the theme of hard rock mining
as a facet of American frontier settlement and exploration. At a local level, hard rock mining played an
important role in Tooele County from the 1860s through the 1940s, and substantially influenced the course
of local history and economic development. The significance of the sites has been assessed within this
broader regional and national context.

Site Descriptions and Evaluations

Twenty-four sites were examined and evaluated and are described below in outline format.
Summary information on each site, including National Register status recommendations is presented in
Appendix A. Site sketch plan maps identifying the archaeological features are included as Appendix C.
The site locations and legal descriptions are summarized in Table 4 and are shown in Figures 8-12.
Thirteen of the 24 sites are recommended as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
These 13 eligible sites include a total of 74 numbered openings (44.8% of all openings surveyed).
However, 45 of those 74 openings (60.8% of all eligible openings) are part of the single site 42TO2195
which incorporates the extremely complex collection of openings situated on Silveropolis Hill. The
remainder of the eligible sites are much smaller, consisting of only 1-9 openings per site.
The discussion of the sites is organized by archaeological site numbers, which were assigned
from east to west and north to south across the project area. State tag number(s) are also noted for each
site. Each site designated by a specific archaeological site number may include one, or more than one,
numbered opening as identified on the DOGM inventory. In addition to the 24 sites, 52 mine openings
were recorded as isolated features. Data on these is summarized below following the discussion of the
archaeological sites.

44
 PRIVATE
STATE TRUST LANDS

IF45

IF47
42TO2359
IF46 IF28 42TO2185
42TO2360
IF49
PR

42TO2183
IF50
IVA
TE

42TO2184
IF30 42TO2182
IF29

42TO2186
42TO2187
IF48

IF44
PRIVATE
42TO2189
BLM

42TO2188

42TO2192

PRIVATE 42TO2191
IF2
42TO2190 BLM
42TO2361

IF1

PROJECT: DOGM Ophir II 2003 OFFICE OF PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY N
COUNTY: TOOELE
0 1 mi

QUAD: OPHIR / STOCKTON 0 1 Km

Figure 8. Topographic map showing 42TO2182 - 42TO2192 and isolated features.

45
 IF52 IF51

42TO2193

Additional
Acreage BLM

42TO2194

42TO1772 Additional
Acreage BLM

PRIVATE
IF3
IF4
IF5

42TO2195
IF43
IF11
42TO2357
IF42

IF26 IF6
IF41 IF27

42TO2196 IF25 IF40

IF7
IF8
IF39
IF9
PRIVATE IF10

IF38
IF14
IF16 BLM
IF15 IF12

IF13 IF34
IF33
PRIVATE
IF22
IF23 IF37
IF24
IF36 IF35

PROJECT: DOGM Ophir II 2003 OFFICE OF PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY N
COUNTY: TOOELE
0 1 mi

QUAD: MERCUR/OPHIR 0 1 Km

Figure 9. Topographic map showing 42TO2193 - 42TO2196 and isolated features.

46
 BLM

IF3
IF5 IF4

42TO2357

IF6

IF7
IF20 IF21
BLM IF8
IF9
IF10 IF19

IF32
42TO2197

IF34
PRIVATE
IF33
IF31

IF37

IF36 IF35

PROJECT: DOGM Ophir II 2003 OFFICE OF PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY N
COUNTY: TOOELE
0 1 mi

QUAD: MERCUR 0 1 Km

Figure 10. Topographic map showing 42TO2197 and isolated features.

47
 42TO2181

IF17
IF18

BLM

42TO2358

PROJECT: DOGM Ophir II 2003 OFFICE OF PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY N
COUNTY: TOOELE
0 1 mi

QUAD: STOCKTON 0 1 Km

Figure 11. Topographic map showing 42TO2188 and isolated features.

48
 PRIVATE

42TO2198

PROJECT: DOGM Ophir II 2003 OFFICE OF PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY N
COUNTY: TOOELE
0 1 mi

QUAD: MERCUR 0 1 Km

Figure 12. Topographic map showing 42TO2198

49
Site Number: 42TO2181
Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050405VC002
Map Reference: Stockton, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980
Assessment Category: 1
Setting: The site is situated on the northwest slope and top of a small ridge.
Site Description: The site consists of the remains of a small cluster of mine openings and an associated
trash scatter covering an area about 50 by 70 meters in size. A single tagged vertical opening is present
near the southeast side of the site. Approximately 10 meters north of the mine opening is a scatter of wood
debris that appears to the remains of a completely collapsed and partially demolished wood frame structure.
A small depression on the south end of the site associated with several scattered board fragments may be
the remains of an outhouse.
The closed vertical shaft 3050405VC002 appears as a shallow irregularly shaped depression approximately
15 ft by 8 ft in size, and no more than 3½ ft deep. It is excavated into loose gravelly soils. It is flanked
on the west side by a low waste pile about 16 ft long and 3-6 ft wide.
To the north and west of the tagged opening are two very substantial and potentially dangerous openings.
One is an inclined shaft with an opening measuring approximately 2 ft high and 4 ft wide. The adit goes in
at least 20 feet, but the end is not visible. Movement of cold air out of the opening suggests that it might
be quite deep and is probably tied to at least one other opening allowing air to circulate. It is flanked on
the west side by a waste rock pile that is about 25 ft by 30 ft in size. The second untagged opening is a
deep vertical shaft approximately 5 ft by 6 ft in size and at least 20 ft deep. It is flanked on the northwest
side by a large spoil pile about 25 ft in diameter. To the southwest of the tagged vertical opening on the
site are four small shallow prospects. These range from 2 to 8 ft across and 3 to 10 ft long.
The artifacts at the site consist of a mix of recent trash and some slightly older historic debris. Both sanitary
and post-and-cap style cans are present, as well as fragments of milled lumber, plate glass fragments and
nails.
Features: Shafts, adits, outhouse, structural debris, waste dump
National Register Assessment: Not Eligible.

Site Number: 42TO2182

Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050421HC008, 3050421HO005, 3050421HO006, 3050421HO007, 3050421IO002,
3050421VO007, 3050421VC008
Map Reference: Stockton, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980, and Ophir, Utah Quadrangle
7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980
Assessment Category: 1
Setting: The site is located on the side of a steeply sloped ridge line on the north side of Dry Canyon.

50
Site Description: The site consists of a cluster of seven mine openings situated along an ephemeral
drainage on the side of a steeply sloped ridge overlooking Dry Canyon, in about a 140 by 110 m area. Four
of the openings are grouped around a very large waste dump in a rocky and ledgy area of the drainage.
The other openings are located on the slope of the ridge above this central cluster and on both sides. Two
small dry-laid masonry retaining walls are present on the site, as is a small terrace area but otherwise there
are no other associated features and the artifactual remains are extremely limited.
Four open and one closed horizontal adits are present on the site. Two vertical openings are present at the
site. The most obvious mine opening at the site is 3050421VO007, located near the center of the site. The
opening measures about 23 ft by 13 ft in size and is at least 65 ft deep. Most of its waste is probably in the
large waste dump in the site center. Vertical closed opening 3050421VC008 is situated at the northern end
of the site, on the west side of the drainage. It currently appears as an opening about 12 ft by 20 ft in size
and about 8 ft deep. The opening is partially filled by natural erosion. A waste pile about 65 ft by 80 ft in
size occurs down slope and mostly on the opposite side of the drainage from the opening.
Opening 3050421HO005 is a horizontal adit. The portal measures 6 ½ ft by 3 ft in size and extends back
at least 65 ft. A large waste pile measuring about 25 ft by 30 ft partially surrounds the opening and merges
into the larger waste dump in the drainage bottom. 3050421HO006 actually appears closer to a vertical
opening than a horizontal. The shaft measures approximately 3 ft by 6 ½ ft in size. A waste pile is situated
to the south of the opening, again merging with the larger waste dump. Opening 3050421HO007 is an
open horizontal adit. The tunnel is excavated into rock and appears stable. The original opening is about 5
½ ft high and 6 ½ ft wide with a regular square cross section. The portal is nearly closed by debris which
has collapsed in front of it so that the actual opening now measures only about 3 ft wide and 1 ½ ft high.
A fairly large but poorly defined waste pile is present at the mouth of the portal and continues down slope
to the souteast. The single closed horizontal opening, 3050421HC008, consists of a shallow trench and
depression in the side of the hill left from the collapse of a horizontal adit. The depression measures about
23 ft long and 6 ½ ft wide. It is relatively shallow, and has mostly filled in with slope wash. About 6 ft
of sloughing face-up is exposed on the uphill end of the depression, but otherwise the depression is only
about 3 ft deep at maximum.
A single inclined opening, 3050421IO002 is located at the northeast edge of the site. The feature is a deep
inclined adit. The portal measures about 6 ½ feet by 9 ft and the tunnel goes back at least 65 ft. A dump
about 65 ft by 65 ft in size extends from the opening down slope to the southwest.
Artifacts at the site are limited to a few small fragments of salt glazed ceramics, a few nondiagnostic can
fragments, and a metal spike.
Features: Adits, shafts, wall, waste dump
National Register Assessment: Not Eligible

Site Number: 42TO2183

Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050421IO001
Map Reference: Stockton, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980
Assessment Category: 2

51
Setting: The site is located on the south facing slope of a finger ridge on the north side of Dry Canyon.
Site Description: The site consists of a single inclined mine adit and a shallow prospect. The inclined
opening, 3050421IO001, is a relatively stable adit excavated into rock. The portal measures 5 ft high by 10
ft wide. A large piece of sheet metal about 4 ft in size has been propped up to partially cover the opening.
About 6 ft into the adit the tunnel splits into two separate inclined tunnels which continue down for at least
another 65 ft. Some crude timber supports made of unmilled wood posts are visible inside the right hand
tunnel. The left side of the portal is shored up by a dry-laid wall of crude masonry. The wall is about 6
ft long and a maximum of 2 ft high. It is made of unshaped, roughly coursed, dry-laid stone. Directly to
the south and down hill from the opening is a waste pile that measures about 32 ft by 65 ft in size. At the
mouth of the portal is a scatter of milled lumber, including some boards still in place from some sort of a
small rectangular enclosed feature. About 10 m above the tagged opening is a small untagged prospect.
It measures about 12 ft by 12 ft in size and is about 2 ½ ft deep. Two small rock alignments of dry-laid
masonry occur between the two openings. One is an L-shaped feature about 4 ½ ft on each side and about
3 ft high. Below this L-shaped wall is a second small dry-laid masonry retaining wall about 6 ½ ft long and
3 ft high. To the east of the inclined adit was the remains of some railroad ties denoting where a trackway
had been. Artifacts at the site consist of wire nails, milled timbers, a metal ring, a badly rusted metal frying
pan, and a fragment of a single glass bottle.
Features: Prospect, adit, rock walls, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Eligible

Site Number: 42TO2184

Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050415HC001
Map Reference: Ophir, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980
Assessment Category: 2
Setting: The site is located on the east side of Dry Canyon. The mine lies in a drainage while the
structures lie just to the northwest.
Site Description: The site consists of a single mine opening associated with the remains of at least
two structures - a dugout and a collapsed wooden structure - as well as a concrete water tank, and other
smaller features. The single opening, 3050415HC001, consists of a collapsed horizontal opening which
now measures about 15 ft long by 7 ft wide and about 2 ft deep. The nearby waste dump measures about
15 ft by 20 ft. There are no artifacts immediately associated with the collapsed opening. The structural
features are situated in the northwestern part of the site, and appear to represent habitation structures and
are associated with a light scatter of domestic refuse. The two structures include the remains of a collapsed
wood frame structure and a dugout. The frame structure measures about 15 ft by 30 ft in size, and is
constructed of milled timber walls formerly situated on a coarse stone foundation. The walls have fallen
over, but are still partially intact on the ground. The dugout structure measures approximately 12 ft wide
and 15 ft long. The feature was excavated into the hill slope and still retains some stacked masonry walls
standing to a height of about 5 ft. Artifacts found in the area of the structures include bottle glass, nails,
window glass, bedsprings, shingles, and rusted cans from food products. On the slope above the structures
is a square concrete unroofed water tank measuring ca. 10.5 by 10.5 ft and 6 ft deep. Nearby are two 4x4”

52
posts approximately 5 ft long, one 2 by12” wooden plank broken into two pieces, and a long metal cable
on the ground. On the slope below the water tank is a flattened terrace area ca. 60 by 12 ft. To the south
of the water tank, near the mine, is a skid trail that stretches from a drainage above the water tank, down
to near the mine, for about 180 ft. It is 8 ft wide.
Features: Adit, building, dugout structure, waste dump
National Register Assessment: Eligible.

Site Number: 42TO2185

Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050422HO004, 3050422HO005
Map Reference: Stockton, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980
Assessment Category: 2
Setting: The site is located on the north side of Dry Canyon.
Site Description: The site consists of three mine openings and the remains of two small structures.
The openings consist of two horizontal adits excavated into stable rock outcrops. The first opening,
3050422HO004, measures approximately 7 ft by 5 ft. A metal door frame has been cemented into the
portal, but the door is missing. The tunnel goes back at least 50 ft. Some air duct pipes are present
suspended from the ceiling above the door. A large waste dump about 120 by 120 ft in size occurs outside
the opening and spills down slope towards the bottom of the canyon. The second opening, 3050422HO005
is located to the east and consists of a shallow tunnel that is only about 8 ft deep. The portal measures
5 ft by 5 ft in size and is excavated into a rock outcrop. Inside the opening are the remains of a small
wooden platform or table. A third, untagged opening designated as Feature 3 is situated about 50 m to
the SE of the second opening, where the access road for these two openings intersects the dirt road in the
bottom of the canyon. This opening is rather informal and measures about 3 ft diameter, and goes back
into the hillslope 10-15 ft. The remains of three structures are present at the site. Two appear to have been
constructed of corrugated tin over a wood frame. The first, Feature 1, is located on the east side of the
large waste pile outside of 3050422HO004. It is completely collapsed, but appears to have been about 25
ft wide and 20 ft long. The second structure, Feature 2, is located southeast of the access road to the site.
It is the remains of a small dugout that also appears to have been covered with a superstructure of milled
lumber and corrugated tin. Artifacts associated with this feature include hole-in-top cans, five gallon cans
and stove parts. Across the road to the north of the dugout is a large rock pile, and to the north of that is
Feature 3, which is a small rock-lined structure cut into the hillside that may be a powder magazine. There
is also a segment of the old canyon road and an associated rock retaining wall, and two platform areas,
as well as two old dozer roads in the north canyon wall. Scattered across the site are a relativley small
number of artifacts, consisting of metal pipe fragments, metal drums, sanitary cans, ammunition casings,
and miscellaneous wood and metal fragments.
Features: Adits, building, dugout structure, waste dump
National Register Assessment: Eligible.

53
Site Number: 42TO2186
Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050421HO003, 3050421VO004
Map Reference: Ophir, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980
Assessment Category: 1
Setting: The site is located on the steep lower west face of Dry Mountain.
Site Description: The site is a very small, inconspicuous property consisting of a single horizontal and a
single vertical opening that originate at a common portal. Other than a small dry-laid masonry wall just
outside the portal, there were no other associated features. The single artifact noted on the site appears to
be a fragment of a metal barrel hoop. Opening 3050421VO004 measures approximately 4 ft by 6 ft in size,
and has a framework of large log timbers at ground level. The open vertical shaft is situated directly in
front of 3050421HO003, which extends into the hillside behind the opening. The portal for the horizontal
tunnel measures about 6 ft by 5 ft in size. A small waste pile about 20 ft by 30 ft in size is located just to
the west of the openings.
Features: Adit, shaft, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Not Eligible.

Site Number: 42TO2187

Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050421VO001
Map Reference: Ophir, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980
Assessment Category: 2
Setting: The site is located near the western base of Dry Mountain, where the topography starts getting
less steep.
Site Description: The site is comprised of a deep vertical mine shaft with an associated scatter of tin
cans. The single vertical opening, 3050421VO001, is located near the center of the site. It is flanked
on the west side by a pronounced waste pile of light colored material measuring about 60 ft by 30 ft
in size. The opening to the shaft measures 15 ft by 20 ft in size and has been enclosed by a chain link
fence for safety. The depth of the shaft is unknown, but it could be 100+ ft. A small flat area designated
as Feature 1 is located in a small drainage bottom northeast of the shaft. It measures 12 by 4 ft in size,
and is associated with some small metal fragments, a brown bottle top, a hole-in-top can fragment, white
ceramic fragments, purple glass and a barrel hoop. Slope wash is covering the uphill portion. Feature 2 is
a possible collapsed, rock-lined, U-shaped feature south of the shaft, with a 3-sided rectangular alignment
of rocks visible, but no associated artifacts. This is about 6 by 4 ft in size. This was probably a powder
magazine. Feature 3 is an excavated terrace on the east (upslope) edge of the shaft, measuring 30 by 25
ft and 5-8 feet deep. It probably was a staging area for the mine work. A small number of cans and glass
fragments are found surrounding the opening and the waste pile and continuing s short distance into the
drainage, but the majority of the associated artifacts occur as a distinct concentration occurring as single

54
trash scatter to the northeast of the opening, just off to the side of the waste pile. Artifacts consist of 50-60
hole-in-top cans and post-and-cap cans, wire, glass fragments, ceramic fragments, and wire nails. Cross-
dating of the evaporated milk cans found at the site suggest a use date ca. 1900-1910. Ceramics consist of
small fragments of decal decorated whitewares.
Features: Adit, waste dump
National Register Assessment: Eligible

Site Number: 42TO2188

Mine Name(s): Nyanza, Lakes of Killarny,
State Tag Numbers: 3050421HC001, 3050421HO001, 3050421HO002, 3050421VC001, 3050421VC002,
3050421VO002, 3050421VO003
Map Reference: Ophir, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980
Assessment Category: 3
Setting: The site is at the southwestern base of Dry Mountain, where the topography starts getting less
steep.
Site Description: The site consists of a rather complex system of mine openings, prospects, access
roads, and associated mining structures. The site includes seven tagged openings that appear on the
AMRP inventory, and 12 additional prospects or collapsed horizontal openings that are not tagged.
Four identifiable structures are present on the site. The first is a collapsed wood frame building with a
corrugated tin roof located adjacent to 3050421HO002. The structure appears to be the remains of a mine
related plant of some kind. The building probably originally measured about 10 ft by 16 ft in size with a
partial stone foundation. The walls were formed of milled wood framing covered with both vertical and
horizontal plank siding. The exterior walls may have originally stood about 12 ft high, but are now almost
totally collapsed. The roof was a simple gable type of framed construction covered with corrugated tin.
The interior of the structure exhibits several concrete foundations that appear to have supported equipment.
A large galvanized metal tank is still in place at the rear of the building. The second structure is a large ore
bin and load out structure located near 3050421HC001. It measures 12 ft by 12 square and stands about
30 ft high. It is mounted on 8 large upright posts and is constructed of 6 in by 12 in milled lumber. The
top of the ore bin was serviced by an ore cart track that connects to the nearby mine opening, and which
allowed ore to be brought to the structure in narrow gauge ore carts. The final two structures consist only
of foundations located to the northeast of the ore bin. One is indicated by an L-shaped rock alignment 12 ft
by 12 ft in size. The second is marked by a 20 ft long alignment of foundation stones and the remnants of
a framed wall. Artifacts are generally sparse over most of the site, although some are concentrated around
the first structure, and include, nails, brick fragments, glass fragments, some cans and mechanical debris.
Opening 3050421HC001 is a large depression left from the collapse of a horizontal opening. It measures
70 ft by 50 ft in size and close to 40 ft deep. Closely associated are a large waste pile and the ore bin and
loadout feature discussed above. Adit 3050421HO001 is a 4 by 2 ft hole cut into the hill slope facing the
southwest. The opening was originally larger but has since filled in from collapse. Leading to the opening
is a 15 by 15 ft cut into the hillside. This opening is located in the side of a drainage, and an associated
waste dump extends 40’ into that drainage. Artifacts scattered around the opening include a couple of
sanitary cans and small scraps of metal that are in the waste dump. Opening 3050421HO002 is a horizontal

55
opening measuring 12 ft by 10 ft set into unstable and badly eroding sediments in the hillside. The tunnel
is partially caved in, but has a depth of about 7 ft. A waste pile extends southwest of the opening for
approximately 65 ft to the current dirt road which cuts through the middle of the site and has bisected the
waste from this opening. Two closed vertical openings are present on the site, and include 3050421VC001,
which measures approximately 30 ft by 20 ft and is about 12 ft deep and is associated with a small 6 ½
ft by 12 ft waste pile, and 3050421VC002, which 20 ft by 12 ft in size and 7 ft deep. To the west of this
second opening is a short retaining wall of dry-laid, unshaped masonry measuring about 8 ft long and 3 ft
high. A small 12 ft diameter waste pile is also associated with the opening. A single open vertical shaft
is present on the site. This opening, 3050421VO003, is somewhat elongated in shape and measures 10 ft
by 6 ½ ft in size, tapering slightly to the south. There is still a wood ladder in place going down into the
opening. Two shallow collapsed horizontal adits are also present. One measures 50 ft long 16 ft wide and
about 5 ft deep, while the second measures 33 ft long 10 ft wide and 3 ft deep. Ten unnumbered prospects
dot the hill slope between the openings and structures on the upper east end of the site and the ore bin at
the west end. These small prospects are mostly shallow, pit shaped depressions from 5 to 30 ft in diameter
and usually less than 4-5 ft deep.
Features: Shafts, adits, prospects, loading chute, building, ore bin
National Register Assessment: Eligible.

Site Number: 42TO2189

Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050422HO001, 3050422HO002
Map Reference: Ophir, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980
Assessment Category: 2
Setting: The site is located at the southwestern base of Dry Mountain, where the topography starts getting
less steep.
Site Description: The site is the remains of a small mining complex consisting of three openings, two
mine openings and the third a probable powder magazine, as well as a foundation from one small structure.
The main opening is a horizontal adit which opens onto a well maintained dirt road giving access to the
valley below. Opening 3050421HO001 is an open and stable adit excavated into a southwest facing slope.
The portal of the tunnel measures 8 ft high and 7 ft wide and retains a timber framed entryway. The
timbering at the portal measures 15 ft long by 6 wide and 6 ft high and is built of 2 by 7 in and 2 by 9 in
milled lumber combined with 7 by 7 in square posts. The framing around the entryway has been partially
torn apart and the upper roof portion is missing. A large conical waste pile is located on the west side of the
access road opposite the opening. It measures about 150 ft by 70 ft. A second opening is located about 40
m to the south of the first opening. This small adit (3050421HO002) is not quite as large or substantial as
the first opening. It measures 8 ft by 7 ft in size and is excavated into a rocky outcrop. It goes back only
about 8 ft where the opening ends and there is a wooden platform constructed of milled lumber utilizing 2
by 4 in wood for legs and 2 by 9 in planks for the balance. This platform measures 6 ft long by 4 ft wide
and 3 ft high. The opening clearly was most likely used for storage, possibly as a powder magazine. A
third, unnumbered opening is located on the steep hillslope above the main mine opening. It is an inclined
opening that is partially collapsed, and measures ca. 3 by 6 ft and 3 ft deep. A small pile of waste is in
front of it, and going down the slope to the road. Associated wiith it are 5 scraps of milled lumber. A large

56
quantity of modern trash is scattered about the site, nearly obliterating the few historic artifacts present.
The historic artifacts present include some glass fragments, wire nails probably originally associated with
construction at the mine, and a few post-and-cap cans. A single concrete slab foundation measuring 12 ft
wide and 20 ft long is located just outside the main mine. Anchor bolts ringing the perimeter of the slab
suggest that it may have once supported a wood frame superstructure.
Features: Adits, foundation, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Eligible.

Site Number: 42TO2190

Mine Name(s): Ophir Mine
State Tag Numbers: 3050428HC002, 3050428HC003, 3050428HO001, 3050428HO002, 3050428HO003,
3050428VC001
Map Reference: Ophir, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980
Assessment Category: 1
Setting: The site is on a north-northwest facing slope on the south side of Ophir Canyon, and on the south
side of the highway.
Site Description: The site consists of a cluster of relatively modest openings located on the south side
of Ophir Canyon. The site contains six tagged openings, half of which are closed and mostly obliterated,
and two untagged openings. Other than a few crude access roads, there are no other features present at
the site and there are very few associated artifacts. Opening 3050428HC002 has completely collapsed
leaving no real visible opening. The remains of the feature consist of a shallow trench about 16 ft long
and 6 to 8 feet deep. 3050428HC003 has also collapsed nearly completely, leaving a small collapsed
opening at the east end of a sloping 15 ft by 20 ft face up about 6 ft deep at the shallow end and deepening
to about 15 ft deep on the uphill side. The first of three open horizontal adits on the site, 3050428HO001,
has a portal measuring 6 ft high and 4 ft wide. Intact narrow gauge ore cart tracks run into the opening.
A 20 ft deep vertical shaft is located immediately in front of the opening. A waste dump about 60 by 80
ft in size is located in front of the opening. The second horizontal opening, 3050428HO002, currently
measures about 8 ft by 8 ft at the existing opening. A large vertical opening occurs in front of the current
opening, and appears to have resulted from collapse of the first 20-25 ft of the tunnel. 3050428HO003
is a small, mostly collapsed opening measuring about 6 ft wide and only 1½ ft high. A single closed
vertical opening, 3050428VC001, is listed on the AMRP inventory for this site. It consists of the remains
of a collapsed vertical shaft. The existing opening measures about 20 ft deep on the uphill side, and 7
ft deep on the downhill side and is about 15 ft across. A 30 ft by 20 ft waste pile is located on the west
side of the opening. Two partially collapsed shallow untagged horizontal openings occur on the hill slope
above 3050428HO003. Artifacts on the site are quite sparse, consisting only of scattered milled lumber
fragments, scrap metal, barbed wire, brick fragments, wire nails, two tin cans, a metal drum, an insulator
fragment, sheet metal fragments, and the remains of a duct of some kind for carrying air or water which
consists of remains of a wood frame and metal piping located below 3050428HC002.
Features: Adits, shaft, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Not Eligible.

57
Site Number: 42TO2191
Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050427VC002
Map Reference: Ophir, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980
Assessment Category: 2
Setting: The site is not far inside and on the north side of Ophir Canyon, just north of the highway.
Site Description: The site consists of the remains of a possible habitation site. The feature (Feature 1)
on this site that was given a tag number as a possible vertical mine shaft (3050427VC002) may actually
be a dugout, or possibly an outhouse or small storage building. It has partially intact milled wood walls.
The opening appears as a shallow slight linear depression with a horseshoe shaped collar of fill on three
sides. At the deepest point it is 3’ deep. The framed opening appears to have been about 8x6’, the wood
wall bracing is still intact on the west and north sides and collapsed everywhere else. The wall bracing has
2 upright corner posts (3 1/2 x 3 1/2 “) of milled lumber and planking of 1” thick milled wood ranging
from 5-11” wide assembled using wire nails. Associated artifacts are metal fragments,9” notched post with
attached wire, and wire nails.
Feature 2 is a short rock-lined wall in a U-shape and about 3 by 3 ft, and at least 2 ft high. It is about 12
by 6 ft, 4 ft deep, and has the appearance of an adit, although there is not waste material around so we
think it is more likely a dugout or storage building. An 8 ft. tongue and groove plank is stuck into the rock
wall. Otherwise the feature is caved in. Feature 3 is a possible structural foundation, consisting of 15 ft
long 4 by 8 in timbers and 7 ft long 4 by 8 in and 2 by 4 in board nailed to it. Associated debris includes
other miscellaneous boards, tin cans, metal, asphalt shingles, a purple glass bottle top, and a few bricks.
Feature 4 is a 9 ft diameter, 3 ft deep depression at the eastern end of the site, associated with some tin cans.
Feature 5 is a wood post/stump alignment along with two vertical standing posts in a 12 by 18 ft flattened
area at the western side of the site. There are wood planks on the ground and a few metal fragments. This
looks like it might have been a corral or other fenced feature. The site is located next to an old road which
is probably the original Ophir road.
Artifacts across the site area are sparse, but include some short wire fragments, and some badly rusted sheet
metal fragments, some badly deteriorating and crushed tin cans, one metal strap 1 1/2 x 1/8 x25”, several
short pieces of barbed wire, bricks, and a bedspring, glass, asphalt shingles, along with various pieces of
wood.
Features: Dugout, buildings, possible adit
National Register Assessment: Eligible.

Site Number: 42TO2192

Mine Name(s): The Old Sweetwater
State Tag Numbers: 3050426HC014, 3050426HC015, 3050427IO001, 3050427VC0016, 3050426VO018,
3050426VO019
Map Reference: Stockton, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1980
Assessment Category: 1

58
Setting: The site is located quite high up on the south side of a very steep mountain ridge overlooking
Ophir Canyon.
Site Description: The site is located in a very high, steeply sloped area above Ophir Canyon. The mining
features consist of six openings, most of which have collapsed and are mostly closed. Associated with the
openings is what appears to be the remains of a structural location, probably a small frame cabin, but very
little is left of the feature. Two very small fully collapsed horizontal openings are present on the site. The
first, 3050426HC014, is so fully filled in as to almost appear as a natural depression. It appears as a long
shallow depression measuring 10 ft long and 6 ft wide. The second opening, 3050426HC015, is also a
linear depression measuring approximately 10 ft by 6 ft. A small waste pile is present to the south of the
depression. A single partially intact inclined opening is also located on the site. It consists of a 6 ft by 5
ft 8 in opening on a steep west facing slope. A small 25 ft diameter waste pile is located adjacent to the
opening. 3050427VC0016 consists of a fully closed vertical shaft at the base of a rocky slope below a 6
ft ledge of stone. Nothing remains of the shaft except a shallow depression. Two open vertical shafts are
present on the site. Both appear as slightly inclined openings. Opening 3050426VO018 measures about
6 ft by 8 ft in size and is partially covered by several large wooden posts and planks. These do not appear
to be support timbers, but rather expedient closures. A small waste pile flanks the opening downhill to the
west. The second vertical opening measures 5 ft by 4 ft in size. A possible structural location is indicated
at the lower end of the site by a small oval shaped level area measuring about 6 m by 4.5 m. The southwest
edge of the leveled area is built up and supported by a small alignment of stacked stones. The leveled area
is littered with several scraps of milled lumber consisting mostly of 2 x 4 boards and 1 in thick planks.
Major portions of a cast iron stove were noted down slope from the feature. Artifacts are quite spares, but
consist of one tin can fragment, and 8-10 small domed metal disks perforated at the center by a thin nail
which appear to be for holding tar paper to the exterior of the structure. The feature is consistent with the
remains of a small frame cabin, although there is little left of the building to confirm that.
Features: Adits, shafts, terrace, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Not Eligible.

Site Number: 42TO2193

Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050424HO001
Map Reference: Mercur, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1968
Assessment Category: 2
Setting: The site is located in a side canyon of Ophir Canyon on the northeast facing slope of a ridge.
Site Description: The site consists of one mine opening and the remains of two associated structures. The
opening, 3050424HO001, is the remains of a horizontal adit which has partially collapsed. The opening
currently measures about 3 ft by 3 ft and extends back into the hill slope about 15 ft, although given the
size of the waste pile it clearly went in for some considerable distance. Some timber and lumber supports
are present at the portal. The waste dump in front of the mine is about 25’ by 50’ at the top but spreading
outward to about 100’ by 40’ in size. The two large, connected and collapsed structures are at the bottom of
the waste dump. These each measure ca. 28’ by 20’ in size but were probably connected by a walled area,
making the two combined structures a total of 65’ by 20’ in size. They were made of milled and unmilled

59
lumber. These structures appear to possibly have been part of the mining plant as two large concrete pillons
are situated inside, and the possible remains of one or two more are also present. The connected structures
are constructed into a terrace that is 6’ deep on the uphill southwest side, below the waste dump. Timbers
were used for walls, planks for the roof, and tar paper was found on the roof. The walls and roof, however,
have now collapsed, much of it to the northeast and now partially covered by vegetation. Portions of the
floor boards are present, consisting of 2” by 8” planks on top of 2” by 4” flooring. The two structures are
orientd in a northwest to southeast direction, with doorways evident in those two sides, and a door and
windows at least evident in the downslope northeast wall of the western structure (may have been in the
northeast wall of the other structure as well, but that wall has totally collapsed). The two large concrete
pillons are in the southeast wall of the western structure, and the northwest wall of the eastern structure,
respectively, and associated with piping. We infer there was some machinery held up by these pillons
and that the space between the two buildings where the machinery was situated, was at least partially
walled in as well, making the two structures appear as one long structure. The wall logs on the structurs
were connected by square notching, and various roof and floor boards are found with round head cut nails
and threaded bolts. There are also bolted iron rods, sheet metal flasking for stove pipes, pieces of stove
pipe, insulators, 2” and 3” diameter pipe, and some square head nails. Other than these structure-related
materials there are very few artifacts associated with the site, consisting of a single clear glass bottle base
fragment, cut round and square head nails, a barrel ring, and other assorted small miscellaneous metal
fragments.
Features: Adit, building, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Eligible.

Site Number: 42TO2194

Mine Name(s): Buffalo
State Tag Numbers: 3050425VC014, 3050425HO041
Map Reference: Mercur, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1968
Assessment Category: 3
Setting: The site is situated in a very steep side canyon to the south of Ophir Canyon.
Site Description: The site consists of a relatively well preserved assemblage of two mine openings and
associated features, including ore car tracks, buildings and a large waste dump. The site is perhaps one of
the better examples of mining features in the Ophir project area. The site covers an area about 130 m by
115 m in size, situated on a slope above a small drainage. The openings include an open horizontal shaft
and a closed vertical shaft. The horizontal shaft (3050425HO041) has a portal measuring 6 ft by 6 ½ ft in
size which is covered with timbered enclosure. The portal is covered with a wood enclosure constructed
of 8 in square posts supporting 3 in thick planks which form the walls and roof. An intact set of ore cart
tracks runs out of the mine and onto the nearby waste pile. A waterline also runs out of the opening. The
second opening, 3050425VC014, has completely collapsed, and now consists only of a shallow depression
filled with rocky debris and some timbers. The feature measures about 4 ft by 4 ft in size. Associated
with the two openings are two structures. The first is a frame structure made of milled lumber with a
simple gabled roof. The structure measures 14 ft by 12 ft and could be the remains of a bunk house or
other habitation structure. The second building appears to be more recent and consists of a metal shed.
The structure measures 15 ft by 28 ft in size, and is constructed with corrugated metal sheeting on a milled

60
lumber frame. Ore cart tracks run into the structure, which is also equipped with other types of equipment.
The waste dump is large and shows three levels, the upper most level being held in place on the south and
east sides by railroad tie walls. The bottom most level is clearly old, being partially overgrown, while the
upper two levels suggest more continuous mining effort but are split by a bulldozer cut. Artifacts at the
site are relatively limited, consisting of scrap metal, nuts, bolts and nails, a few tin cans, wire, and milled
lumber fragments. Much of the debris at the site appears to be more recent, and is probably modern rather
than historic.
Features: Shaft, adit, bunk house, shed, railroad bed, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Eligible.

Site Number: 42TO2195

Mine Name(s): Wachusett, Key Stone, Chloride Point
State Tag Numbers: 3050425HC018, 3050425HC019, 3050425HC020, 3050425HC021, 3050425HC022,
3050425HC023, 3050425HC024, 3050425HC025, 3050425HC026, 3050425HC027, 3050425HC028,
3050425HC029, 3050425HC030, 3050425HC031, 3050425HC032, 3050425HC033, 3050425HC034,
3050425HC035, 3050425HC036, 3050425HO025, 3050425HO026, 3050425HO027, 3050425HO028,
3050425HO029, 3050425HO030, 3050425HO031, 3050425HO032, 3050425HO033, 3050425HO034,
3050425HO035, 3050425HO036, 3050425HO037, 3050425HO038, 3050425HO039, 3050425HO046,
3050425P001A, 3050425P002, 3050425P003, 3050425P004, 3050425VC011, 3050425VC012,
3050425VO008, 3050425VO009, 3050425VO010, 3050425VO011
Map Reference: Mercur, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1968
Assessment Category: 3
Setting: The site is located on the top and southern slopes of Silveropolis Hill, on the slope overlooking
Silverado Canyon.
Site Description: This site designation has been assigned to a large cluster of mining related features
located on Silveropolis Hill, and the slopes of Silverado Canyon. Although many of the features included
in the site have some distinction as separate named mines during the historic period (Chloride Point, Key
Stone, Wachusett), the close proximity of the numerous openings and the density of cultural materials
argued for a relatively broad site definition that takes in a large area of several mines under a single
archaeological site number. There are several main roads that access these mines, and several additional
poorly defined, overgrown road cuts throughout the site area. The mine features at the site include 16
horizontal open openings, 19 horizontal closed openings, 4 vertical open openings, 2 vertical closed
openings, and four pits (Table 5). In addition to the mine openings, there are 6 structural features at the site.
Feature 1 is a collapsed wood frame building closely associated with 3050425HO033. It is constructed
of 1x6 in planks over a wood frame superstructure and measures about 15 ft square. Feature 2 is located
about 6 m west of 3050425HO029. It consists of the remains of a collapsed wood frame structure which
appears to have measured about 15 ft by 15 ft in size. Feature 3 is a small partially collapsed wood frame
structure measuring 10 ft by 10 ft in size. The building consists of a wood frame superstructure covered
with milled planks of mixed sizes. Feature 4 is a leveled area and pile of wood debris that probably also
represents a collapsed structure. The flattened area is located on the slope just above a massive waste pile
measuring approximately 60 by 300 ft in size. The flattened area measures about 15 ft by 15 ft in size and
is associated with a large pile of milled planks, metal fragments, nails, and wire. Feature 5 is the possible

61
 Table 5. Summary of Openings at 42TO2195
Opening Size Associated
Description Waste pile
Number LxWxD Artifacts
3050425HC018 Completely collapsed horizontal opening 15x40 ft Yes
3050425HC019 Partially open horizontal closed opening 7x8 ft 15x10 ft No
3050425HC020 Opening is oval in shape, partially collapsed 3x3x6 ft 33x26 ft No
3050425HC021 Partially collapsed horizontal opening 7x7x10 ft 33x132 ft No
3050425HC022 Partially collapsed horizontal opening 5x6x5 ft 15x20 ft No
3050425HC023 No opening 10 ft in diameter Yes
3050425HC024 Partially collapsed horizontal opening 40x20x10 ft 20x20 ft No
3050425HC025 Horizontal opening is completely closed 4x8 ft 15x29 ft No
3050425HC026 Partially collapsed horizontal opening 6x6x6 ft 15 ft in diameter Yes
3050425HC027 Partially collapsed horizontal opening 10x7 ft 73x100 ft Yes
3050425HC028 Partially collapsed horizontal opening 16x16x16 ft 33x20 ft No
3050425HC029 Partially collapsed horizontal opening 30x13x10 ft 33x33 ft No
3050425HC030 Partially collapsed horizontal opening 7x2 ft 50x100 ft No
3050425HC031 Completely collapsed horizontal opening 5x3 ft Yes
3050425HC032 Horizontal opening is completely collapsed 33x66 ft Yes
3050425HC033 Partially collapsed horizontal opening 7x7x7 ft Yes
3050425HC034 Partially collapsed horizontal opening 26x30x13 ft 30x26 ft Yes
3050425HC035 Horizontal opening is completely collapsed 13x10 ft 26x26 ft Yes
3050425HC036 Partially collapsed Horizontal opening 16x26 ft 118x66 ft No
3050425HO025 Horizontal opening is mostly collapsed 7x3 ft 83x 115 ft Yes
3050425HO026 Horizontal Opening is completely open 3x3x66 ft 66x132 ft Yes
3050425HO027 Horizontal opening is completely open 8x6x10 ft 40x30 ft No
3050425HO028 Horizontal opening is completely open 3x3x66 ft 33x33 ft Yes
3050425HO029 Horizontal opening is completely open 3x1 ft 40x60 ft Yes
3050425HO030 Horizontal opening partially filled with talus 8x5 ft 40x40 ft No
3050425HO031 Horizontal opening is completely open 20fx20x50 ft 150x100 ft Yes
3050425HO032 Horizontal opening is completely open 7x4x165 ft 165x33 ft Yes
Horizontal opening is completely collapsed, framed by a
3050425HO033 No
wooden structure
10x10 ft
Complex vertical and horizontal opening are completely
3050425HO034 50ft horizontal depth 66x50 ft Yes
open
33ft vertical opening
3050425HO035 Horizontal opening is completely open 4x4x70 ft 165x66 ft Yes
3050425HO036 Horizontal opening is completely open 25x8x26 ft 165x70 ft Yes
3050425HO037 Horizontal opening is partially collapsed 4x2 ft 50x132 ft Yes
3050425HO038 Horizontal opening, partially collapsed 7x4 ft 50x132 ft No
3050425HO039 Horizontal opening is partially collapsed by rock debris 4x2 ft 30x25 ft No
3050425HO046 Horizontal opening, depth is unknown. Completely open 10x10 ft 30x40 ft Yes
3050425VC011 Vertical opening is completely collapsed 10x5 ft 40x40 ft No
3050425VC012 Vertical opening is completely collapsed 26x20 ft 33x45 ft No
3050425VO008 Vertical opening is partially collapsed 13x10x10 ft 66x132 ft Yes
3050425VO009 Vertical opening slopes downward to another opening. 12x8 ft 20x15 ft No
3050425VO010 Vertical opening is completely open 10x10x50 ft 26x26 ft No
Vertical opening is completely open, surrounded by
3050425VO011 5x5x33 ft 23x26 ft No
prospects
3050425P01A Open prospect 20x20x8 ft 30x15 ft No
3050425P002 Open trench feature 20x8x7 ft 30x15 ft No
3050425P003 Collapsed prospect 10x6x6 ft 9x13 ft Yes
3050425P004 Open prospect 8x4x4 ft 20x3 ft No

62
remains of a loading chute on a platform near the center of the very large waste dump. It measures about
15 ft by 15 ft and is constructed of milled lumber. Feature 6 is associated with 3050425HC023, and is a
small pile of milled lumber with cut wire nails that also appears to be the remains of a collapsed structure.
The debris is scattered over an area about 5 meters in size, but it is impossible to say anything more definite
about the original size of the structure. One of the tagged openings, 3050425HC033 appears to have never
functioned as a mine opening, but rather a small excavated opening in the hill slope that was probably used
for powder storage. The excavated area measures about 6 ½ ft high and 6 ½ feet wide and about 6 to 7 ft
deep. There are two timbers set in the back of the feature and additional lumber out in front. There is no
waste pile associated with the feature.
There are a relatively large number of artifacts associated with the site. They are broadly scattered
and are present in small quantities in association with many of the openings. There was no identifiable
trash dump or trash concentrations in association with any of the buildings. Artifacts include sanitary type
cans, hole-in-top cans, hinged lid tobacco cans, wire, nails, coffee cans, glass container fragments, metal
fragments, ceramic fragments, and various small fragments of sheet metal and mechanical parts. Some ore
cart rails are present on the site, but the tracks have all been removed and are no longer intact.
Features: Prospects, adits, shafts, building, loading chute, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Eligible.

Site Number: 42TO2196

Mine Name(s): Little Pittsburg
State Tag Numbers: 3050436HC001, 3050436HO001, 3050436HO002
Map Reference: Mercur, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1968
Assessment Category: 1
Setting: The site is located on the south side of Silverado Canyon below Rover Hill
Site Description: The site consists of three horizontal openings situated on a very steep slope overlooking
Silverado Canyon. Other than the openings and associated waste piles, there is little left at the site.
Opening 3050436HO001 is a horizontal adit excavated into stable rock. The portal measures about 6 ½
ft high by 5 ft wide and about 65 feet deep. A set of intact ore cart tracks exit the tunnel and run out onto
a large cone shaped waste pile that lies in front of the opening. The waste pile measures about 100 ft in
maximum width and length, and covers a considerable area below the opening. The two other tagged
horizontal openings at the site share a common portal. The openings 3050436HC001 and 3050436HO002,
are located uphill to the north of the first opening, and are excavated into a rocky outcrop. The primary
opening measures about 6 ½ ft by 6 ½ ft and opens up just inside the portal into two separate tunnels that
go back at least 65 ft. A few milled timbers are associated with the openings, but no other artifacts. Other
than a few milled timbers, and some isolated fragments of clear glass, a few nails, and some small metal
fragments, there are no other artifacts at the site.
Features: Adits, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Not Eligible.

63
Site Number: 42TO2197
Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050332VC002
Map Reference: Mercur, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1968
Assessment Category: 1
Setting: The site is located just above the drainage in the bottom of Meadow Canyon
Site Description: The site is relatively modest, and consists only of a single collapsed vertical opening
and an associated waste pile with a dry-laid masonry retaining wall. The opening, 3050332VC002,
presently measures about 3 ft by 4 ft in size and no more than 3 ft deep, and is located at the bottom of a
deep depression about 25 ft by 50 ft in size caused by collapse of the shaft. Two distinct areas of waste
are present, one located to the southeast of the opening and a second to the west. The waste pile to the
southeast is dominated by heavy clay-like sediments, and measures about 25 ft by 50 ft in size. The waste
pile to the west of the opening is about 65 ft by 80 ft in size, and is much more rocky. A dry-laid masonry
retaining wall is present at the base of the slope below the opening and at the north end of the waste pile.
It is made of coarse, unshaped dry-laid stone, and may have originally been about 80 ft long. It supports
the northwest corner of the waste pile and continues along the west edge of the flat area surrounding the
shaft. Artifacts consist only of some metal pipe and a few very sparse fragments of clear plate glass.
Features: Shaft, retaining wall, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Not Eligible.

Site Number: 42TO2198

Mine Name(s): Geyser-Marion
State Tag Numbers: 3060306HO009, 3060306HO010, 3060306VO004
Map Reference: Mercur, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1968
Assessment Category: 3
Setting: The site is located near the bottom of Mercur Canyon on the north side of the canyon near one
of the modern open pit mines in the Barrick-Mercur operation
Site Description: The site consists of two horizontal mine openings, and one vertical opening associated
with a possible loading chute and a stone foundation. Artifacts are relatively scarce, and consist only of
scattered scrap metal, limited debris from mining equipment, cable and some lumber fragments. Two
parallel horizontal tunnels (306030HO010 and 306030HO009) run back into a rocky outcrop, where
they intersect. Upslope behind the two horizontal tunnels is a partially collapsed vertical opening
(3060306VO001), which may partially connect to the horizontal openings. The portals of both horizontal
openings measure about 10 ft by 9 ft in size. An ore cart trackway still extends about 25 ft into the opening
for 3060306HO009. At the back of both horizontal openings are concrete foundations which support
loading chutes and the remains of a conveyor system. The vertical opening (3060306VO010) presently
appears as a deep roughly oval shaped depression measuring about 75 ft by 50 ft in size and almost 25
ft deep. There appear to be two collapsed vertical shafts which may have connected with the horizontal
shafts below. A short concrete retaining wall about 2 ft high and 10 in thick surrounds the opening on three

64
sides. A small wood loading chute is located just to the north of the horizontal openings. It measures about
9 ft by 8 ft in size, and is constructed of milled lumber. Located about 40 m south of the horizontal adits
is a large stone foundation. The foundation measures 15 ft by 25 ft in size and is constructed of coarse,
unshaped, dry-laid, blocky native stone. On the down slope side the foundation is approximately 5 ft high,
but both sidewalls are considerably shorter, and there is no stone on the uphill side of the feature.
Features: Adits, shaft, loading chute, stone foundation, waste dump
National Register Assessment: Eligible.

Site Number: 42TO2357

Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050330VC001
Map Reference: Mercur, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1968
Assessment Category: 1
Setting: The site is located on the west slope of a high mountain ridge.
Site Description: The site is a very small, inconspicuous property consisting of a single vertical opening
- 3050330VC001 - which is situated near the top of a high ridge line, facing west. The opening has
collapsed, leaving a hole 20 by 15 ft in size, and 10 ft deep. Next to it just to the south are two possible
prospects or long cuts in the hill slope. A waste pile is located immediately west of the opening, and is
actually cut a bit by the two-track road that comes into the site from the north. The waste pile is not large,
only ca. 25 ft diameter and not high at all, suggesting that comparitively little waste was removed. On top
of the waste pile is the remains of an A-frame with an attached pulley. A fragment of a white insulator
probably from the nearby Mercur to Chloride Point Mine power line was found, as was a can handle
Features: Adit, prospects, waste dump
National Register Assessment: Not Eligible

Site Number: 42TO2358

Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050408HC001, 3050408VO001
Map Reference: Stockton, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1968
Assessment Category: 1
Setting: The site is located at the base of the Oquirrh Mountains, at the southeast end of Tooele Valley.
Site Description: The site consists of two relatively isolated mine openings, situated near the base of the
Oquirrh Mountains and about 50 meters apart from each other, with total site size of about 60 by 20 meters.
These appear to be very limited use openings, one moreso than the other. Opening 3050408HC001 is in the
northeastern part of the site, consists of a 15 by 20 ft depression 8 ft deep, on the west slope of the ridge.
A 30x25 ft waste pile 6 ft high is on the west side of the depression. Opening 3050408VO001 is on the
southwest part of the site, and consists of a large open vertical shaft measuring approximately 15 by 20 ft

65
in size at the opening but tapering rather rapidly to approximately 6 by 5 ft in size. The bottom of the shaft
is not visible, but it goes down 50+ ft. The portal is flanked on the west side by a rather substantial spoil
pile measuring ca. 45 by 60 ft. There are no artifacts associated with this site.
Features: Shaft, adit, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Not Eligible

Site Number: 42TO2359

Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050421HC007, 3050421VO006, 3050421HC006
Map Reference: Stockton, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1968
Assessment Category: 1
Setting: The site is located on a southerly slope just outside and north of Dry Canyon.
Site Description: This site is a small cluster of mines located on a generally south-facing slope north of
the mouth of Dry Canyon. The site includes three small openings scattered over a ca. 90 by 60 meter area.
3050421HC007 is a very small horizontal opening remaining from a adit that is in a drainage bottom. It is
next to and on the north side of a maintained road that comes up from the southeast and makes a sharp turn,
at the location of the opening, back to the southwest. The portal measures 90 cm by 4 ft wide and only goes
back 8 1/2 ft the portal is framed by a shallow pit 26 ft by 20 ft in size. There are no associated artifacts and
no apparent associated waste pile (probably destroyed by the road). 3050421VO006 is located just above
the HC007 opening, and consists of an opening 3 by 6 ft. There is a small waste pile to the south side of
the opening going down hill about 25 ft to the road. The shaft has a depth of 10-13 ft and then branches
to the west sloping downward with an unknown depth. There is a possibility of an eastern shaft inside the
opening but it has collapsed. No artifacts were found associated with this opening. 3050421HC006 is a
shallow inclined trench left from the collapse of a horizontal adit. It measures about 33 ft by 10 ft and is
no more than 75 cm deep. A relatively large conical waste pile is located immediately in front and down
slope of the opening. The waste pile measures about 30 by 25 ft. The only associated artifacts with this
opening were one fragment of milled lumber (possibly a claim stake), and a badly rusted steel canteen
fragment with a threaded spout.
Features: Adits, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Not Eligible

Site Number: 42TO2360

Mine Name(s): Unknown
State Tag Numbers: 3050421VC001, 3050421VO005, 3050421HC002, 3050421HC003, 3050421VC004,
3050421HC004
Map Reference: Stockton, Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1968
Assessment Category: 1
Setting: The site is located on a westerly slope north of the mouth of Dry Canyon.

66
Site Description: The site consists of a small cluster of six relatively minor openings spread down a
westerly sloping ridge slope, all apparent contemporaneous explorations of the potential of that location.
Site size is ca. 130 by 40 meters. 3050421VC001 is a 8 by 7 ft opening cut into the hill slope, with a 15
by 10 ft cut in front of the opening. The opening only goes back a maximum of 20 ft and then ends. The
opening is nearly filled in with rock and slump from above. There is a small 15 by 30 ft waste dump down
the north side and another 15 by 20 ft dump down the northeast side. Associated artifacts include a couple
of pieces of light green glass fragments. 3050421VO005 is a 10 by 8 ft vertical shaft opening going down
15ft. There is a large tree root in the bottom of the shaft. The waste pile is down hill on the northwest side
that is 25 by 15 ft in size. There are 3 prospects above the mine opening. Associated artifacts include 1
metal spike and one can lid.
3050421HC002 is a 20 by 10 ft opening cut into the hill side and is 28 ft deep. The waste pile is 40 by
20 ft in size. A small prospect is found to the east of the opening and another is found to the south above
the opening. There are no associated artifacts. 3050421HC003 is a 40 by 15 ft opening cut into the hill
side and is 10 ft deep; one can barely see the horizontal aspect of the opening in the bottom. There is light
waste on the down hill side. No artifacts are associated. 3050421VC004 is a 12 by 10 ft opening dropping
vertically 8-10 ft. There is a small waste dump on the down hill side 10 by 10 ft in size, and a second larger
20 by 20 ft waste pile between this opening and the two next closest openings. Associated artifacts include
one small glass fragment light green in color. 3050421HC004 is a 20 by 20 ft depression in the hill slope
and is 6 ft deep. The waste pile is 10 by 10 ft and is located down the hill slope on the northwest side.
Associated artifacts include one can lid (baking powder?).
Features: Adits, shaft, prospects, waste dumps
National Register Assessment: Not Eligible

Site Number: 42TO2361

Mine Name(s): N/A
State Tag Numbers: N/A
Map Reference: Ophir Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1968
Assessment Category: N/A
Setting: The site is located about a mile into Ophir Canyon, near a major northeasterly turn in the canyon
bottom.
Site Description: This site is a small portion of what was probably an earlier, possibly the original, Ophir
Canyon road which connected the Ophir mining region and the town of Ophir itself with the settlements
and transportation facilities of Rush and Tooele valleys. This small portion shows up where a bend in the
current road occurs, with the current road on the south side of Ophir Creek and the old road on the north
side. The road segment is ca. 4 m wide and the recorded stretch is ca. 190 meters, although the eastern
60-70 m or so is more inferred than actually intact, because of erosion along the stream channel and
overgrowth. The road consists of a gravel strip that is quickly being overgrown and covered by soils. It
does not appear to have been very thick, perhaps 6 inches or so. It crossed Ophir Creek as evidenced by the
remnants of a bridge. This is defined by pieces of concrete bridge support pillons or foundation blocks that
are set into bottom of Ophir Creek, and fragments found down stream a little. That is, the road on the west
side of the stream disappears into the eroded channel at the same location where these concrete blocks are,

67
and can be seen in profile in the opposite side of the stream bank on the east, but otherwise is overgrown
or destroyed in the eastern portion. The site has a few sparse artifacts, mostly glass and more recent trash,
scattered along it, but these are more likely associated with nearby site 42TO2191, a habitation site.
Features: Road Bed
National Register Assessment: Eligible

Site Number: 42TO1772 (previously recorded)

Mine Name(s): Lion Hill Mining Properties
State Tag Numbers: 3050425VC009, 3050425VC010, 3050425HC038, 3050425HC039, 3050425HC040,
3050425HO042, 3050425HO043, 3050425HO044, 3050425HO045
Map Reference: Ophir Utah Quadrangle 7.5’ Series Topographic, 1968
Assessment Category: 3
Setting: These properties are located on the upper eastern and northeastern slope of Lion Hill, south of
the town of Ophir.
Site Description: This site was previously recorded for DOGM by Everett Bassett and includes a very
large portion of the upper slopes and top of Lion Hill, with many mining facilities contained within the
site. For the current project, we found that nine additional openings were within or very close to the site
boundaries for the that site, and here we include them as part of that site.
3050425VC009 is a vertical opening measuring approximately 10 by 16 ft with a depth of 3 ft. There is a
tin can at the bottom of the opening. The waste pile is small and surrounds the vertical opening. The waste
pile extends 10 ft to the northeast. 3050425VC010 is a 20 ft diameter hole ranging from 5-15 ft deep.
There is a 100 ft long and 10 ft wide trench on the east side. The waste pile is 30 by 15 ft and is on the
east side of the trench. 3050425HC038 is a collapsed opening. At the widest point of what remains, the
opening is 8 by 3 ft and is 5 ft deep. The waste dump for the opening is down the slope from the opening
facing the northeast and is 200 by 200 ft in size. The dump pile is cut through by the road. There is a
small powder storage structure 15 ft to the east of the opening. There is a small retaining wall to the right
of the opening, 4 by1 ft in dimension and partially overgrown and is being covered by slope wash. There
are the remains of a small structure on a steep slope near the two-track road, 150 ft south of the opening.
Only two wall sections remain. The northern wall consists of an 8 in post on one end and a 9 ft long wall
composed of several courses of dry-laid blocky limestone rocks stacked 3 ft high. The southern wall is 5
ft to the south and is about 4 ft high and 4 ft long. Several building stones from the northern wall that have
fallen are lying on the slope. Artifacts associated with this opening include scrap metal, 1 piece of track,
1 four inch diameter metal ring, milled lumber, and wire nails.
3050425HC039 is a completely closed category opening. There are no associated artifacts. The waste pile
is 65 by 131 ft in size. 3050425HC040 is a 10 by 15 ft gouge about 9 ft deep on the west end, on an east
facing mountain slope. A 20 by 50 ft waste pile is on the slope 50 ft east of the adit. Some scrap metal is
present. 3050425HO042 is a horizontal opening. The portal is approximately 3 by 2 ft. The waste dump
is situated northeast of the opening and is approximately 25 by 35 ft in size. Two metal spikes were found
in association. 3050425HO043 is a partially collapsed horizontal opening. The entrance measures 3 by 3
ft and is circular. There is a slight incline inside of the opening. The waste pile measures approximately
15 by 25 ft. 3050425HO044 is a horizontal opening. The portal is approximately 6 by 3 ft. The waste

68
dump is situated to the north of the opening and is approximately 15 by 2 ft in size. 3050425HO045 is a
horizontal opening. The entrance measures approximately 5 by 5 ft. The entrance is facing the northeast.
The waste pile is approximately 15 by 35 ft. There are 12 pieces of 6 by 4” or 1 by 9” lumber associated
with the opening, and some wire cut nails.
Features: Adits, shafts, waste piles
National Register Assessment: Eligible

Isolated Feature Descriptions

Temp Site No. : IF-1
AMR Site No. : 3050428HC001
USGS Quad: Ophir
Northing (m): 4467686 Easting (m): 390155
Narrative Description: Small opening, 10 by 4 ft maximum and 10 ft deep, located on the northeast facing
slope .
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-2

AMR Site No. : 3050427VC001
USGS Quad: Ophir
Northing (m): 4468159 Easting (m): 392208
Narrative Description: Collapsed vertical opening measuring approximately 8 by10 ft and reaching 10 ft
deep. No waste pile or vehicle access.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-3

AMR Site No. : 3050330VC002
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4467580 Easting (m): 396387
Narrative Description: Collapsed vertical opening measuring approximately 15 by12 ft and 5 ft deep. No
waste pile was noted.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-4

AMR Site No. : 3050330HO002
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4467519 Easting (m): 396277
Narrative Description: Open horizontal adit measuring 5 by 4 ft and having unknown depth. The waste
pile is located approximately 33 ft (10 m) northeast of the opening.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-5

AMR Site No. : 3050330HO001
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4467482 Easting (m): 396129
Narrative Description: Mostly collapsed open horizontal adit measuring 2 ft by 1 ft and having unknown
depth.
Associated Artifacts: None
69
Temp Site No. : IF-6
AMR Site No. : 3050330HC003
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466910 Easting (m): 396080
Narrative Description: Completely collapsed opening consisting of a 40 ft long trench which extends to
the waste pile, located to the west.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-7

AMR Site No. : 3050331VC002
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466725 Easting (m): 396152
Narrative Description: Collapsed vertical opening measuring 20 by 20 ft and 10 ft deep. A waste pile is
located down slope to the northwest.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-8

AMR Site No. : 3050331HC003
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466674 Easting (m): 396120
Narrative Description: Horizontal opening is completely collapsed, forming a 49 ft trench leading to a
waste pile located to the southwest.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-9

AMR Site No. : 3050331HC004
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466566 Easting (m): 396000
Narrative Description: Completely collapsed horizontal opening forming a 33 ft trench. The trench runs
to the sothwest, towards a waste pile.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-10

AMR Site No. : 3050331IO001
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466498 Easting (m): 395953
Narrative Description: Inclined opening covered by heavy vegetation and overgrowth. The opening
measures 5.5 by 3 ft. The depth of the opening is unknown. A waste dump is located southwest of the
opening. Just to the south of the waste dump is a small ledge of natural stone, but it is not a cultural
feature.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-11

AMR Site No. : 3050425VC013
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4467077 Easting (m): 395389
Narrative Description: Completely collapsed vertical shaft measuring 15 by 15 ft. Depth of the shaft
measures about 30 ft deep from the topsoil, but it is only 10 ft deep from the level of the road. The mine
waste pile lies to the southeast and southwest of the collapsed opening.
Associated Artifacts: None
70
Temp Site No. : IF-12
AMR Site No. : 3050436VO003
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466171 Easting (m): 394742
Narrative Description: The vertical opening is surrounded by a barbed-wire fence. The opening measures
approximately 20 by 20 ft and is 30 ft deep. It appears that the opening has caved in, as the hole is quite
large and the surrounding sediment is eroding into the opening.
Associated Artifacts: Barbed wire fence around enclosure

Temp Site No. : IF-13

AMR Site No. : 3050436VC005
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4465960 Easting (m): 394632
Narrative Description: Collapsed vertical mine shaft opening measuring 6 by 4 ft and 4 ft deep. A small
waste pile is located to the southwest.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-14

AMR Site No. : 3050436VC002
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466221 Easting (m): 394333
Narrative Description: Collapsed mine shaft depression measuring 20 by 10 ft and having a depth of 6-8
ft. A small debris pile is located on the west edge of the adit.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-15

AMR Site No. : 3050436VC003
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466150 Easting (m): 394313
Narrative Description: Collapsed mine shaft now measuring 8 by 6 ft at the opening and 6 ft deep. A
small waste pile is located on the south edge of the opening.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-16

AMR Site No. : 3050436VC004
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466175 Easting (m): 394348
Narrative Description: Mine shaft remains measuring 4 ft in diameter by 4 ft deep. The opening is
located on a ridge top. A very small debris pile is found on the west edge of hole.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-17

AMR Site No. : 3050405VO001
USGS Quad: Stockton
Northing (m): 4474355 Easting (m): 388669
Narrative Description: Vertical mine opening measuring 12 by 4 ft in diameter and 9 ft deep, three 3 inch
thick planks across the top of the opening. There is a small waste pile on the north edge of the adit and
below in the drainage. The adit is on the north slope of a ridge near the base next to an east-west trenching
drainage.
Associated Artifacts: None
71
Temp Site No. : IF-18
AMR Site No. : 3050405VO001
USGS Quad: Stockton
Northing (m): 4474222 Easting (m): 388868
Narrative Description: A very shallow depression about 10 by 4 ft in diameter and 2.5 ft deep. The
depression is flanked on the west side by a very small low mound of spoil and should be classified as a
very small prospect.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-19

AMR Site No. : 3050332HC001
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466471 Easting (m): 397822
Narrative Description: The opening is a shallow linear depression apparently resulting from the collapse
of a horizontal adit. The depression is about 49 ft by 13 ft in size and has a max depth of 7 ft. It is slightly
inclined uphill to the east. A very small, low waste pile about 16 ft by 10 ft in size is located to the
southwest of the opening.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-20

AMR Site No. : 3050332VC001
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466658 Easting (m): 397948
Narrative Description: A large steep sided depression about 26 by 13 ft in size and about 6.5 ft deep.
Flanked on the south, west and east sides by a large apron of waste debris about 82 ft by 131 ft in size.
Associated Artifacts: Four fragments of milled timbers, approximately 8x8 in by3to 6 ft long, and one
piece of round bar ¾ in diameter and 5 ½ ft long.

Temp Site No. : IF-21

AMR Site No. : 3050332HC002
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466667 Easting (m): 398114
Narrative Description: A shallow linear depression approximately 49 ft by 15 ft and 2.5 ft deep caused
by the collapse of the horizontal opening. A relatively extensive cone-shaped debris pile occurrs on the
southwest side of the opening. The waste pile measures about 82 ft by 82 ft in size.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-22

AMR Site No. : 3050436VO004
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4465761 Easting (m): 394758
Narrative Description: This opening consists of a caved-in vertical opening measuring 10 ft by 13 ft and
still reaching a depth of approximately 13 ft. A waste pile situated to the south of the opening measures
approximately 66 by 39 ft.
Associated Artifacts: None

72
Temp Site No. : IF-23
AMR Site No. : 3050436VC006
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4465630 Easting (m): 394761
Narrative Description: A vertical opening measuring 20 ft by 20 ft which has a depth of approximately
10 ft. A waste pile situated to the southeast of the opening measures 13 ft by 6.5 ft.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-24

AMR Site No. : 3050436VC007
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4465607 Easting (m): 394942
Narrative Description: A large roughly circular depression approximately 33 ft by 30 ft in size and about
5 ft deep due to the collapse of the vertical shaft. A cone shaped waste pile is present to the southeast side
of the opening measuring 16 ft at the top and 50 ft wide at the bottom. The pile extends for about 50 ft.
Associated Artifacts: Two fragments of a brown beverage bottle of uncertain age.

Temp Site No. : IF-25

AMR Site No. : 3050436VC001
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466829 Easting (m): 395011
Narrative Description: A deep, steep sided conical depression remaining from the collapse of a vertical
shaft. The opening measures about 16 ft in diameter and about 13 ft deep. It is flanked on the northwest
side (down slope) by a small waste pile about 33 ft by 33 ft in size.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-26

AMR Site No. : 3050436HC003
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466947 Easting (m): 394913
Narrative Description: A shallow trench like opening remaining from a collapsed horizontal opening. The
opening measures about 10 ft by 16 ft in size and reaches a maximum of 8 ft at its very deepest point. A
small conical waste pile about 33 ft by 50 ft in size is located down slope to the southwest.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-27

AMR Site No. : 3050436VO002
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466859 Easting (m): 395090
Narrative Description: A collapsed vertical shaft with an unstable loose collar with its maximum opening
50 ft by 50 ft in diameter. The shaft width measures 20 ft by 10 ft and reaches depths of about 33 to 50 ft.
It is flanked on the north by a debris pile measuring 26 by 33 ft.
Associated Artifacts: 1 square nail, and 1 wire nail

Temp Site No. : IF-28

AMR Site No. : 3050421HC005
USGS Quad: Stockton

73
Northing (m): 4470215 Easting (m): 390456
Narrative Description: No opening was found. An area of faced up-slope occurs on the north side of the
road, but no clear opening could be found.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-29

AMR Site No. : 3050421HC010
USGS Quad: Ophir
Northing (m): 4469711 Easting (m): 389946
Narrative Description: A nearly completely collapsed horizontal opening consisting of a shallow face up
trench about 20 ft long leading to a very small adit about 2 ft tall and 2.5 ft wide that extends back about
5 ft. There is a small waste dump located down hill.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-30

AMR Site No. : 3050421HC009
USGS Quad: Ophir
Northing (m): 4469776 Easting (m): 389945
Narrative Description: The very shallow remains of a collapsed prospect. It presently appears as a shallow
linear depression about 16 by 8 ft and is no more than 2 - 2.5 ft deep. A very small waste pile flows down
the slope to the south for about 10 to 16 ft and is comprised of fine pink colored clay.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-31

AMR Site No. : 3050332VO001
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4465707 Easting (m): 398241
Narrative Description: The feature is a 15 by 20 ft square opening that drops vertically about 20 ft and
then inclines downward to the west for another 20 ft. A waste dump about 30 by 30 ft in size extends
downhill on the west slope.
Associated Artifacts: One small (12 in diameter) metal pan

Temp Site No. : IF-32

AMR Site No. : 3050332HC003
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466010 Easting (m): 398756
Narrative Description: The feature is a 15 by 10 ft slight depression of 3 to 4 ft deep that looks like a
little drainage. There is a 30 by 40 ft waste dump in front of the opening to the southeast going down the
drainage.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-33

AMR Site No. : 3050331VC001
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4465800 Easting (m): 396079
Narrative Description: This opening consists of a 30 by 30 ft semi-circular pit at the top narrowing down
to 10 by 10 ft at approximately 15 ft down and tapering out by 20 ft deep. There are two large waste dumps

74
on the south and southwest of the opening. The south side dump measures 60 by 20 ft; the southwest
measures 100 by 40 ft.
Associated Artifacts: 2 pieces of pipe

Temp Site No. : IF-34

AMR Site No. : 3050331VO001
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4465918 Easting (m): 395752
Narrative Description: The feature consists of a 15 by 15 ft opening at the top which reaches at least 50
ft deep. Downhill and to the east, a fence surrounds a waste dump which measures 25 by 25 ft in size.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-35

AMR Site No. : 3050331VO002
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4465469 Easting (m): 396001
Narrative Description: The feature consists of a fenced 15 by 15 ft opening with a vertical drop off of at
least 75-100 ft. There is a waste dump on the south side of the hill measuring 40 by 80 ft.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-36

AMR Site No. : 3050331HC001
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4465482 Easting (m): 395721
Narrative Description: The feature measures 50 by 10 ft and is 4 ft deep. It appears more like a prospect
than a formal horizontal opening. There is a very small 10 by 10 ft waste dump pile down hill on the east
side.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-37

AMR Site No. : 3050331HC002
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4465654 Easting (m): 395555
Narrative Description: The feature consists of a 20 by 40 ft depression which is 5 or 6 ft deep and almost
completely filled in. The waste dump begins down slope 60 ft (18 m) and is 30 by 30 ft in size.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-38

AMR Site No. : 3050436HC002
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466298 Easting (m): 395281
Narrative Description: The feature measires 6 by 6 ft and is a 3 ft deep depression. If this was a horizontal
opening, there is little spoil left. It seems more likely that it was just a small prospect. A second possible
opening even smaller than the first is located 33 ft (10 m) to the west.
Associated Artifacts: None

75
Temp Site No. : IF-39
AMR Site No. : 3050436HO003
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466639 Easting (m): 395006
Narrative Description: The feature measures 6 by 6 ft and is slightly inclined downward. Depth is unknown
but is at least 50-60 ft. Some timbers are partially visible in the shaft. The waste pile is located in front of and
downslope of the opening and measures 40 by 40 ft. There is a small prospect 66 ft (20 m) above it which
measures 20 by 6 ft and is 3-4 ft deep.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-40

AMR Site No. : 3050436VO001
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466751 Easting (m): 395220
Narrative Description: The feature consists of a 10 by 10 ft opening of unknown depth but reaches at least
20+ meters. The waste dump is located on the northeast side of the feature and measures 30 by 50 ft.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-41

AMR Site No. : 3050436HO004
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4466970 Easting (m): 394836
Narrative Description: The feature is a 7 by 4 ft opening in the hill slope with a10 by 15 ft cut in front.
The front is almost completely covered with erosion pile, but the top of the opening is still visible. The
opening extends to an unknown distance back. There is a large waste pile in front of the opening, but the
area is heavily vegetated and the size is undeterminable.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-42

AMR Site No. : 3050425HO040
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4467159 Easting (m): 394827
Narrative Description: The feature consists of an opening now measuring approximately 3 by 4 ft, but
was at one time probably 4 by 6-8 ft. The feature is inclined down to flat area, extends back a total of 40
ft and then drops into a vertical shaft. A 40 by 40 ft waste pile is located down slope.
Associated Artifacts: One metal spike

Temp Site No. : IF-43

AMR Site No. : 3050425HC037
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4467186 Easting (m): 394840
Narrative Description: The feature consists of a 15 by 20 ft depression which is 6-8 ft deep and obviously
closed. The downslope waste pile measures 30 by 30 ft in size.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-44

AMR Site No. : 3050422HC001
USGS Quad: Ophir

76
Northing (m): 4469340 Easting (m): 390573
Narrative Description: The feature consists of a 40 by 20 ft depression cut into rock. There is little
eveidence of a waste pile near the opening but there is a burned pile 130 ft (40 m) down slope with a few
cans (5-6) associated with it.
Associated Artifacts: some thin sheets of wood w/nails

Temp Site No. : IF-45

AMR Site No. : 3050422HO003
USGS Quad: Stockton
Northing (m): 4470586 Easting (m): 391683
Narrative Description: The feature is just a small 15 by 7 by 2 foot cut into hill slope with nothing else
but a small 20 by 15 ft waste dump in the drainage bottom immediately below the closed pit.
Associated Artifacts: Bed springs, piece of pipe, a piece of a washing machine, a couple of cans.

Temp Site No. : IF-46

AMR Site No. : 3050421VC003
USGS Quad: Stockton
Northing (m): 4470270 Easting (m): 390094
Narrative Description: The feature consists of a mostly filled-in 20 by 20 ft hole which is 5-6 ft deep. A
20 by 30 ft shallow waste pile is located on the western down hill slope.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-47

AMR Site No. : 3050416VC001
USGS Quad: Stockton
Northing (m): 4470318 Easting (m): 389917
Narrative Description: The feature is a vertical opening of 15 by 15 ft. associated with a waste pile
approximately 20 by 30 ft in size.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-48

AMR Site No. : 3050421VC005
USGS Quad: Ophir
Northing (m): 4469483 Easting (m): 389555
Narrative Description: The feature consists of a 15 by 15 ft opening that is 4 ft deep. There is a small
waste dump surrounding the mouth of the opening. To the southwest of the vertical shaft is a numbered
hole that is 10 ft deet and has a 25 by 25 ft diameter. A 20 by 20 ft waste dump is associated with the
hole.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-49

AMR Site No. : 3050421VC007
USGS Quad: Stockton
Northing (m): 4470123 Easting (m): 389191
Corrected Easting (m):
Narrative Description: This feature is a 25 by 25 ft hole that is 15-18 ft deep. A waste dump located on
the west side down the hill measures 20 by 20 ft in size.
Associated Artifacts: Two boots

77
Temp Site No. : IF-50
AMR Site No. : 3050421VC006
USGS Quad: Stockton
Northing (m): 4470063 Easting (m): 389290
Narrative Description: This feature consists of a 25 by 25 ft hole which reaches up to 20 ft deep. A 20 by
20 ft waste dump is located down hill and west of the feature.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-51

AMR Site No. : 3050424HC001
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4468848 Easting (m): 394683
Narrative Description: The feature consists of a 22 by 8-10 ft trench extending out into the hill slope with
a low timber framework made of 10 in milled lumber posts. A large piece of metal is set up against it.
Associated Artifacts: None

Temp Site No. : IF-52

AMR Site No. : 3050424HC002
USGS Quad: Mercur
Northing (m): 4468818 Easting (m): 394552
Narrative Description: This opening consists of a slight depression with a tree growing in it which
measures 3 by 3 by 1.5 ft deep. The associated waste dump extends down the hill in front of the opening
toward the northeast and measures approximately 20 by 6.5 ft in size. There are 5 small timbers are located
on the ground in front of the site.
Associated Artifacts: 5 Timbers

Discussion

Ophir Mining Landscape

The research associated with the Ophir II Abandoned Mines Project was able to document a rather
typical pattern of cultural resources associated with the exploration and exploitation of precious and base
metals in the Oquirrh Mountains in the eastern Great Basin. The archaeological resources encountered
in this survey appear to be mainly associated with mining activity in the late nineteenth century and early
twentieth century, during the mining boom when the numerous mining districts of the Oquirrh Mountains
were formed.
The mines in the survey area are relatively modest in scale. The general lack of features found
for processing of milling ore suggests that ore was transported from the area in raw form, a fact generally
confirmed by the historic record. The closest railroads to the district, the Utah Western, with a terminus
at Stockton, and later the Salt Lake & Western Railway at Tintic Junction and Los Angeles & Salt Lake
Railroad at Jericho were all located some distance from the active mines in the district. Despite the remote
locality of the area, however, a substantial amount of ore appears to have been mined from these openings,
as is evidenced by the large waste piles visible from miles away at many of these sites. Later, as the mines
around Mercur boomed, a rail line, the Salt Lake and Mercur Railroad, was built right to the site of the
mines and a large mill was constructed, along with other mills at Stockton and Bauer.
Most of the sites in the survey area are composed of several mine openings (horizontal adits,
inclined adits and vertical shafts), often accompanied with open pits and prospect holes. Many sites in
78
the survey area contain complexes of multiple structures and considerable quantities of domestic refuse
(see 42TO2182, 42TO2188, 42TO2190, 42TO2192, 42TO2195 and 42TO2198). This is congruent with
hard rock mining, where residential and even commercial activity was often closely associated with the
mines themselves. The classic example of this pattern is Ophir, where the town site developed in the steep
canyon area immediately adjacent to the mines being worked. The largest newly recorded site, 42TO2195,
consists of over 40 openings that were actually originally associated with several different known historic
mines. The various features cover much of the south side of Silveropolis Hill and the slopes into Silverado
Canyon. However, even that organization of openings under a single number does not accurately reflect
the nature of the archaeological resources in this part of the project area, as a large number of adjacent
openings on Lion Hill would probably also have been included in this site except for the fact that they were
excluded from this project and were previously examined during another survey. The Silveropolis Hill
locality represents the heaviest concentration of mines recorded during the project.
The survey area is similar to other hard rock mining districts elsewhere in the state, characterized
by densely packed claims, adits, prospects, habitation features, etc. Because the sites found in the survey
area are all linked by a common theme and contain similar cultural resources associated with hard rock
precious and base metal mining in western Utah, we feel that they should be considered in association with
sites found during other surveys in the area (Bassett 2000; Bassett and Edwards 1999; Skinner and Helton
1998) for inclusion in a National Register District. The mining related resources in the Oquirrh Mountains
represent one of the most significant nineteenth and early-twentieth century mining districts in the state,
and the resources deserve protection and additional research.

Assessment of Impacts and Proposed Closure Techniques

The Division of Oil, Gas and Mining proposes to close part or all of the historic mine openings
assessed during the project. Closure can be affected in several ways, including: backfilling, gating with
rigid or flexible barriers, or plugging with masonry, polyurethane, or rock or concrete barriers. Probably
the most commonly used and most economical technique is backfilling. This can be accomplished using
adjacent spoil or fill brought in from other locations. Open portals can also be closed through demolition
using explosives or heavy equipment to collapse the adit. These various techniques vary considerably in
their potential to impact the historic qualities of the properties.
The preferred closure technique from the perspective of cultural resource protection is usually the
construction of a bulkhead barrier. Native stone or tinted concrete can be used to construct a barrier which
is slightly recessed a short distance inside the portal. This effectively closes the mine and yet retains the
historic feel and character of the visible portion of the portal. Gated openings may be required at some of the
Ophir sites due to the presence of bats noted by the engineering consultant. These can also be constructed
inside of adits with minimal impact to the feature. These two techniques are also advantageous in that they
posses relatively low potential for causing secondary impacts to surrounding cultural features.
Less favorable from a cultural perspective, but generally the preferred alternative in terms of
economics, is backfilling. This approach obliterates the adit itself, and can leave significant secondary
visual impacts to the site.
The Office of Public Archaeology did not make any attempt to assess the hazard potential of any of
the mines recorded in the Ophir Project area. This has been deferred to the DOGM and other engineering
consultants. However, it should be noted that the hazards at these sites are consistent with those frequently
encountered at other hard rock mining properties (vertical shafts, unstable headframes, flooded adits,
etc.).

79
 Specific protection measures and mitigation recommendations are specified below for each of the
mines. None of the constructed features associated with the properties examined during this project are
substantial enough to require additional work in the form of Historic American Building Survey (HABS)
or Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation.

Determination of Eligibility and Finding of Effect

The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining proposes closure work at all 24 of the archaeological
sites examined during the project. Each site was considered independently in regards to the determination
of eligibility, definition of area of potential effect (APE) and the finding of effect. Inventory parcels
for nine of the sites (42To2182, 42To2183, 42To2186, 42To2192, 42To2193, 42To2196, 42To2357,
42To2358, and 42To2360 -- Appendix A) do not intersect a maintained road. Further inventory would be
needed if mechanical closure is chosen as the preferred method of site closure. Because the sites are all
linked by a common theme and contain similar cultural resources associated with hard rock precious and
base metal mining in western Utah, we recommend that they should be considered in association with other
sites from the region identified in previous surveys (Bassett 2000, Bassett and Edwards 1999, Skinner and
Helton 1998) for inclusion in a National Register District focused on hard rock mining in western Utah.
Determinations of eligibility were made on the basis of standards recommended by the National
Park Service for evaluating properties for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)
pursuant to the requirements of 36 CFR part 63 and 36 CFR 800.4(c). The NRHP criteria are established
as the appropriate standards for determining the significance of archaeological sites for compliance with
the requirements of the Section 106 process (36 CFR 800.4[c]). The significance assessments for the sites
examined for the Ophir II Abandoned Mine Project are presented below. The criteria used follow the
published guidelines, and the appropriate criteria for each site recommended as eligible are noted.
“The quality of significance in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture
is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects that possess integrity of location,
design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association and:
(a) that are associated with events that have made a contribution to the broad patterns of our
history; or
(b) that are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
(c) that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that
represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant
and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or
(d) that have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.”
(36 CFR 60.4)
Historic mining properties constitute a unique type of archaeological site that is distinct from
many of the other kinds of historic sites that are typically the topic of identification and assessment actions
pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act. Historic mining locations are typically comprised
of multiple mine openings which may be relatively widely scattered and yet interrelated. The surface
manifestations frequently represent only a small visible indicator of what may be much more extensive
underground workings. Yet for the purposes of Section 106 matters, only the surface manifestations of
mining related activities are usually considered when making determinations of eligibility. The extent,
condition, and nature of underground workings can not usually be considered due to the dangers and
difficulties of accessing abandoned mine properties for the purposes of documenting and studying them.
80
 Mining properties are subject to a wide range of impacts that can alter their appearance and impact
integrity. These include abandonment, exposure to harsh environmental conditions, vandalism, and historic
salvage operations, all of which can affect mining properties and often result in sites that are composed
of rather modest manifestations which only partially reflect the original character of the site. Common
examples of these impacts include collapse of buildings and mine openings, removal and salvage of
equipment and machinery, and salvage of railroad and ore car tracks. It is important therefore to recognize
that the NRHP eligibility criteria allow consideration and acceptance of “significant and distinguishable
entities whose components may lack individual distinction” (Noble and Spude 1992:19).
In order to help determine the eligibility of this type of site, which may be composed of a number
of widely scattered elements of various quality and importance, several criteria were employed. These
criteria consist of the significance categories previously described as well as the more generalized criteria
required by the NRHP guidelines.
The sites that have been recommended as being eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
are believed to qualify under either NRHP Criterion A or Criterion D or both. Generally speaking, we have
considered sites to be eligible if they include associated structural remains of any kind (i.e. shacks, cabins,
rock retaining walls, foundations, ore handling facilities, etc.), or have openings that are associated with
intact timbering, ore cart systems, or other mining equipment; or are associated with significant quantities
of historic artifacts (cf. Crosland and Thompson 1994:26). Sites that are not eligible generally lack any of
these features, and are frequently located in steep topographic settings that limited the historic development
and preservation of mining features beyond the openings themselves.
Those sites recommended as eligible under Criterion A are associated with the historic theme of
Hard Rock Mining in Western Utah, ca. 1860 to 1945. The precious metal and base metal mining activities
that occurred during this period constitute a major pattern of economic activity that led to the development
of the local region. Mining related activities served as a stimulus for the settlement of communities and
the development of the transportation infrastructure, particularly the railroads. The infusion of capital from
the successful mines played a major role in the economics of the region.
Those sites recommended as eligible under Criterion D possess resources which have potential to
yield additional data relative to the history of the region and research questions regarding hard rock mining
technologies, site structure, and socioeconomic patterns associated with the mine, miners, and support
communities. This data is often represented by artifacts, structures and ancillary features associated with
the mine openings themselves.
Of the 24 archaeological sites examined, 13 (54%) are recommended as eligible for the NRHP.
These 13 sites include 74 numbered mine openings. The 11 sites (46%) recommended as not eligible
fail in most cases to meet minimum standards of integrity. The non-eligible sites are mostly Category 1
properties that lack significance due to their extremely limited nature and the loss of most elements that
would allow them to convey any quality of significance. The non-eligible sites incorporate an additional
39 numbered mine openings. No finding of effect is necessary for these sites, as the determination that
they are not significant means that they are not “historic properties” as defined in the regulations (National
Register Bulletin 15). Accordingly, the proposed closure and rehabilitation undertakings at these locations
do not have the potential to affect any historic properties. The same is true for the 52 mine openings which
were documented as isolated features. These are also not eligible for the NRHP, and reclamation activity
at these sites does not have the potential to affect any historic properties.
The finding of effect for each of the 13 sites recommended as eligible/significant is that the
proposed undertakings should result in “No Adverse Effect” or “No Effect” at each of these sites. The

81
proposed undertakings at the majority of the eligible sites consist only of closure of the mine openings.
Since the openings are intrinsic features of the sites, a no adverse effect finding can be achieved by careful
selection of appropriate closure methods that minimize changes to the external appearance of portals which
are judged to be contributing features of the site. Most of the sites are considered to be eligible under
Criteria A and/or Criteria D, and in many cases the individual openings lack distinction, but together they
enable the properties to convey the collective image of a historically significant mining operation. Some
of the sites are significant primarily for features and artifacts other than the mines themselves, which may
play a more secondary role in expressing the site’s significance.
A “No Action” alternative is not feasible with this particular project, as the objective of the
mining reclamation program is to close abandoned mines that present public hazards. This will require
alteration of all of the identified mine openings in order to meet the objectives of the project. A finding
of “No Adverse Effect” or “No Effect” is also contingent upon a careful approach to rehabilitation that
avoids visual impacts to other characteristic features which convey the significance of the sites, including
abandoned railroad grades, tram towers, and other landscape features associated with the mining activities
at these sites.
Closure recommendations for NRHP eligible sites are discussed in Appendix A.

42TO2181
This site is designated as a Category 1, which sites have the least integrity and significance as far as addi-
tional research potential. While this particular site does contain several openings, and produced a fair
amount of waste material, we found no historic records to indicate its ownership or specific period of use,
and the site characteristics are modest compared to the norm in this area. That is, this is a very minor
and comparitively insignificant mining operation for the general Ophir/Mercur region. Though there was
probably a temporary structure here, it is nearly demolished and there is limited cultural debris. The site
does not offer significant potential for contributing any new or important information about area history,
especially given the fact that there are an abundance of more impressive and better historically documented
mine sites in the area. Since the site is not eligible, the rehabilitation or closure of mining related features
at this site does not have potential to affect any historic properties.

42TO2182
This site is designated as a Category 1, which sites have the least integrity and significance as far as
additional research potential. This particular site does contain several openings, and produced a fair
amount of waste material. Otherwise the site characteristics are modest, and we found no historic records
to indicate its ownership or specific period of use. It appears that this is a very minor and comparitively
insignificant mining operation for the general Ophir/Mercur region. There are few additional cultural
elements to the site, with the exception of the retaining wall, and and limited cultural debris. The site
does not offer significant potential for contributing any new or important information about area history,
especially given the fact that there are an abundance of more impressive and better historically documented
mine sites in the area. Since the site is not eligible, the rehabilitation or closure of mining related features
at this site does not have potential to affect any historic properties.

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42TO2183
This site is designated as a Category 2, which sites typically are one or more adits associated with additional
limited features. This particular site has the main opening, a prospect, and a couple of associated walls, as
well as the remains of a trackway. The walls could have supported some type of structure. The trackway
and depth of the mine, and the dump itself all suggest significant effort. Thus the site has significance and
could contribute to our understanding of area history, and on mines and mining technology of the region.
It is eligible to the NRHP under Criterion A.

42TO2184
This site is designated as a Category 2, which sites typically are one or more adits associated with
additional limited features. This particular site only has the main opening, but also includes at least two
structures, and a water tank, all of which gives it more integrity than many similarly sized sites in the area.
The structures clearly indicate that this location was inhabited at least periodically, and this could have
been the base residential setting for mining throughout this canyon. Thus the site has significance and
could contribute to our understanding of area history, and on mines and mining technology of the region.
It is eligible to the NRHP under Criterion A.

42TO2185
This site is similar to others designated as a Category 2, which sites typically are one or more adits
associated with additional limited features. This particular site only has the main opening, but also two
smaller openings, a dugout and various smaller features, including a portion of the old canyon road that has
since been bypassed by a newer road at the base of the main waste dump. This mine and associated facilities
were clearly a primary of mining in this canyon, and the location was inhabited at least periodically, and
may relate to other mines in the canyon as well. Thus the site has significance and could contribute to
our understanding of area history, and on mines and mining technology of the region. It is eligible to the
NRHP under Criterion A.

42TO2186
This site is designated as a Category 1, which sites have the least integrity and significance as far as
additional research potential. While this particular site does contain two openings, there is not a lot of
waste material to indicate significant mining, we found no historic records to indicate its ownership or
specific period of use, and the site characteristics are modest compared to the norm in this area. That is,
this is a very minor and comparitively insignificant mining operation for the general Ophir/Mercur region.
The site does not offer significant potential for contributing any new or important information about area
history, especially given the fact that there are an abundance of more impressive and better historically
documented mine sites in the area. Since the site is not eligible, the proposed undertaking does not have
any potential to affect any historic properties.

42TO2187
This site is designated as a Category 2, which sites typically are one or more adits associated with additional
limited features. This particular site only has the main opening, but also a couple of associated features
suggestive of some limited, possible temporary habitation at the site. The mine opening is very deep and

83
the associated waste dump large, suggesting a significant amount of effort went into this mine, and so there
may be more of importance here that can be gleaned from the site surface. As such it has significance and
could contribute to our understanding of area history, and on mines and mining technology of the region.
It is eligible to the NRHP under Criterion A.

42TO2188
This site is designated as a Category 3, which sites typically contain significant evidence of mining
activities, residential use, and an abundance of related features and artifacts. According to historic records,
different elements of this site were originally part of the Lakes of Killarney and Nyanza historic mines. It
appears that these were used first in 1899 and 1898, respectively, and that work at each site had ceased by
1902. The Lakes of Killarney mine appears to have been worked for gold. This particular site has several
openings and most impressively the ore bin and loading chute and structural features in the southwest part
of the site. There is clearly a significant amount of effort went that went into the mining of this hillslope,
and this is unquestionably one of the more important mining operations in this area. It can contribute to
our understanding of area history, and on mines and mining technology of the region. It is eligible to the
NRHP under criteria A and D.

42TO2189
This site is designated as a Category 2, which sites typically are one or more adits associated with additional
limited features. This particular site has the main opening, but also a smaller opening above it, a probably
storage adit or powder magazine, and the foundation of a structure. The mine opening is very deep and
the associated waste dump large, suggesting a significant amount of effort went into this mine, and so there
may be more of importance here that can be gleaned from the site. As such it has significance and could
contribute to our understanding of area history, and on mines and mining technology of the region. It is
eligible to the NRHP under Criterion A.

42TO2190
This site is designated as a Category 1, which sites have the least integrity and significance as far as
additional research potential. While this particular site does contain several openings, these have been
badly impacted and are associated with only minimal waste material, and the site characteristics are modest
compared to the norm in this area. The site does not offer significant potential for contributing any new
or important information about area history, especially given the fact that there are an abundance of more
impressive, better preserved, and better historically documented mine sites in the area. Since the site is not
eligible, the rehabilitation or closure of mining related features at this site does not have potential to affect
any historic properties.

42TO2191
This site is not directly a mining property as we have no firm evidence for an on-site mine, but rather some
habitation facilities. We still designated it as a Category 2, which sites typically are modestly complex.
This particular site has at least three and possibly more features suggestive of some habitation at the site.
We don’t’ think there is a mine here because there is no waste material, although this could have been
hauled away. In any case, further research could be gleaned from the site. As such it has significance and

84
could contribute to our understanding of area history, and on mines and mining technology of the region.
It is eligible to the NRHP under Criterion D.

42TO2192
This site is designated as a Category 1, which sites have the least integrity and significance as far as
additional research potential. While this particular site does contain several openings, these have been
badly impacted and are associated with only minimal waste material, and the site characteristics are modest
compared to the norm in this area. There may have been a structure here but it is since completely destroyed.
The site does not offer significant potential for contributing any new or important information about area
history, especially given the fact that there are an abundance of more impressive, better preserved, and
better historically documented mine sites in the area. Since the site is not eligible, the rehabilitation or
closure of mining related features at this site does not have potential to affect any historic properties.

42TO2193
This site is designated as a Category 2, which sites typically are one or more adits associated with additional
limited features. This particular site only has the main opening, but also includes a large waste pile and
at least two connected structures that appear to have been a processing facility for the mine. Though
badly deteriorated, the structure is still in better condition than many structures in the area associated with
specific mines. Thus the site has significance and could contribute to our understanding of area history,
and on mines and mining technology of the region. It is eligible to the NRHP under Criterion A.

42TO2194
This site is designated as a Category 3, which sites represent the most extensive type of property identified
in the Ophir II Abandoned Mine Project. This particular site is part of the Buffalo Mine, dating from
ca. 1903 to the 1960s. It contains complex structural elements, including associated buildings, tracks, a
large and complex waste pile, and a variety of artifacts and other features that indicate significant mining
operations and offer the potential for contributions to our understanding of area history, and on mines and
mining technology of the region. It is eligible to the NRHP under criteria A and D.

42TO2195
This site is designated as a Category 3, which sites represent the most extensive type of property identified
in the Ophir II Abandoned Mine Project. This particular site is huge, and includes portions of the Chloride
Point, Key Stone, and Wachusett mines, as well as many as yet unknown/unnamed mines. The area has
been mined since the 1890s and up to the ca. 1980s. There are many complex structural elements, including
associated buildings, loading chutes, many large and complex waste piles, and a variety of artifacts and
other features that indicate significant mining operations and offer the potential for contributions to our
understanding of area history, and on mines and mining technology of the region. It is eligible to the NRHP
under criteria A and D.

85
42TO2196
This site is designated as a Category 1, which sites typically are one or more adits associated with
additional limited features. This particular site only has the main openings, one with ore cart rails coming
out of one, but otherwise the artifacts are sparse, and there are not other facilities that could justify bumping
it up into a Category 2. The site has little potential to contribute to our understanding of area history, and
on mines and mining technology of the region, especially since there are so many better examples in the
surrounding hills. Since the site is not eligible, the proposed undertaking does not have any potential to
affect any historic properties.

42TO2197
This site is designated as a Category 1, which sites have the least integrity and significance as far as
additional research potential. This site is limited in extent, with just a single opening, and the retaining
wall is not associated with any features other than the mine. Artifacts are also very sparse. There is not a
lot of waste material to indicate significant mining, we found no historic records to indicate its ownership
or specific period of use, and the site characteristics are modest compared to the norm in this area. That is,
this is a very minor and comparitively insignificant mining operation for the general Ophir/Mercur region.
The site does not offer significant potential for contributing any new or important information about area
history, especially given the fact that there are an abundance of more impressive and better historically
documented mine sites in the area. Since the site is not eligible, the rehabilitation or closure of mining
related features at this site does not have potential to affect any historic properties.

42TO2198
This site is designated as a Category 3, which sites represent the most extensive type of property identified
in the Ophir II Abandoned Mine Project. This particular site is part of the Geyser-Marion Mine. It contains
complex structural elements, including two horizontal mine openings, and one vertical opening associated
with a possible loading chute and a stone foundation. Though sparse, there are a variety of artifacts and
other features that indicate significant mining operations and offer the potential for contributions to our
understanding of area history, and on mines and mining technology of the region. It is eligible to the NRHP
under criteria A and D.

42TO2357
This site is designated as a Category 1, which sites have the least integrity and significance as far as
additional research potential. This particular site only has the single main opening, and the size of the
waste pile indicates its depth and use were very limited. Likewise the sparse artifact assemblage agrees
with this. The site characteristics are modest, and we found no historic records to indicate its ownership or
specific period of use. It appears that this is a very minor and comparitively insignificant mining operation
for the general Ophir/Mercur region. The site does not offer significant potential for contributing any new
or important information about area history, especially given the fact that there are an abundance of more
impressive and better historically documented mine sites in the area. Since the site is not eligible, the
rehabilitation or closure of mining related features at this site does not have potential to affect any historic
properties.

86
42TO2358
This site is designated as a Category 1, which sites have the least integrity and significance as far as
additional research potential. This particular site only has two openings that are 50 meters apart, and
though one is moderately deep, there are no associated features or artifacts. The site characteristics are
therefore extremely minimal, and we found no historic records to indicate its ownership or specific period
of use. It appears that this is a very minor and comparitively insignificant mining operation for the general
Ophir/Mercur region. The site does not offer significant potential for contributing any new or important
information about area history, especially given the fact that there are an abundance of more impressive
and better historically documented mine sites in the area. Since the site is not eligible, the rehabilitation or
closure of mining related features at this site does not have potential to affect any historic properties.

42TO2359
This site is designated as a Category 1, which sites have the least integrity and significance as far as
additional research potential. This particular site only has three relatively minor openings on a steep
hillslope. There are practically no associated features or artifacts. The site characteristics are therefore
extremely minimal, and we found no historic records to indicate its ownership or specific period of
use. It appears that this is a very minor and comparitively insignificant mining operation for the general
Ophir/Mercur region. The site does not offer significant potential for contributing any new or important
information about area history, especially given the fact that there are an abundance of more impressive
and better historically documented mine sites in the area. Since the site is not eligible, the rehabilitation or
closure of mining related features at this site does not have potential to affect any historic properties.

42TO2360
This site is designated as a Category 1, which sites have the least integrity and significance as far as
additional research potential. This particular site only has six relatively minor openings on a steep
hillslope. There are practically no associated features or artifacts. The site characteristics are therefore
extremely minimal, and we found no historic records to indicate its ownership or specific period of
use. It appears that this is a very minor and comparitively insignificant mining operation for the general
Ophir/Mercur region. The site does not offer significant potential for contributing any new or important
information about area history, especially given the fact that there are an abundance of more impressive
and better historically documented mine sites in the area. Since the site is not eligible, the rehabilitation or
closure of mining related features at this site does not have potential to affect any historic properties.

42TO2361
This site appears to be a small portion of an early road through Ophir Canyon, possibly the same road and
route as the original canyon road that connected Ophir Town with Tooele and Rush valleys. As such it
was integral to the development of the mining district and to the town itself. This is the only segment we
noted, though up and down the canyon there may be minor traces of the original route still present. The
site is eligible for the NRHP under Criterion A.

42TO1772
During inventory of the Ophir II project we located nine additional mine openings and associated features
that are proximal to the boundary of 42TO1772, and should be added to that site form, thus expanding the

87
northeast boundary of that site an additional ca. 300 meters, and the southeast boundary an additional 100+
meters on the Ophir 7.5” Quad. The added features include nine tagged openings with multiple associated
artifacts and structures. The site is part of a Category 3 intact mining landscape reflecting hard rock mining
activities dating to between the 1870s and 1910s which has been previously recorded as an NHRP eligible
site under criteria A and D.

88
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