Series 24156

Free Coinage Mining District (Utah). Recorder Mining records, 1895-1897.

1 microfilm reel

These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.

Historical Note

See history of the records' creator.

Summary of Records

The development of the cyanide process in the early 1890s and the construction of the first commercial cyanide mill in Mercur stimulated mining activity and prompted the organization of several new mining districts in Tooele County. The Free Coinage District was organized in 1895. The records kept by the Free Coinage Mining District recorder begin with the minutes of miners' meetings, a copy of by-laws for the district, and revisions to the same. These records are followed by notices of location for claims staked in the district.

Scope and Content

The development of the cyanide process in the early 1890s and the construction of the first commercial cyanide mill in Mercur stimulated mining activity and prompted the organization of several new mining districts in Tooele County. The Free Coinage District was organized in 1895. The records kept by the Free Coinage Mining District recorder begin with the minutes of miners' meetings, a copy of by-laws for the district, and revisions to the same. These records are followed by notices of location for claims staked in the district. According to federal law, mineral deposits in the public domain were free and open to exploration, and locators of the same had exclusive right of possession. Local mining districts managed mining operations and recorded claims. (Statutes at Large, Treaties, and Proclamations, of the United States of America, vol. 17, 1872, chap. 152). Location notices for the Free Coinage District affirm compliance with federal and local laws. Each location notice names thelocator, provides a name for the claim, and describes it both in terms of dimensions and location. Notices provide dates of discovery and filing and are signed by Edward Bird, district recorder. Free Coinage records also include a few labor certificates showing proof of assessment work required to hold claims.

Arrangement

By record type, thereunder chronological by date.

Additional Forms

This series is available on microfilm.

Access Restrictions

This series is classified as Public.

Use Restrictions

These records are available for reproduction and use.

Preferred Citation

Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.

Acquisition Information

These records were acquired from the creating agency through established retention schedules.

Processing Information

The records of the Free Coinage Mining District were processed by Rosemary Cundiff in August 2002.

Other Finding Aids

Indexes: The district recorder included an index at the beginning of Book B, which provides reference by claim name to the claims recorded in that book.

Related Material

Mining records from Tooele County (Utah). County Recorder,
, contain mining records for the Free Coinage District recorded after 1897.

Container List

ReelDescription
1 Book A; 1895 May-1896 Apr
1 Book B; 1896 Apr-1897 May