Washington County (Utah). County Recorder Agreements and leases, 1923-1954.

Agreements and leases were recorded by the county recorder when certain privileges were granted to one party while the other party retained property ownership or when two parties wanted to make an agreement between them official. Many kinds of leases and agreements are contained in these books, however, the majority of records involve mineral rights. In accordance with a 1920 Congressional act designed to promote the mining of coal, phosphate, oil, oil shale, or gas and sodium on the public domain, (Statutes at Large, Treaties, and Proclamations, of the United States of America, vol. XLI, part 1, chap. 85) individuals or corporations could obtain prospecting permits on the public land which entitled them to extract coal or other mineral deposits. In addition to prospecting permits, Washington County lease and agreement books contain numerous documents granting one individual the right to enter to procure oil, gas, or minerals while another individual retains ownership and the right touse the land for agricultural purposes. Documents in these books define who is leasing from whom; describe the property being leased; define the covenant or agreement and its terms; identify encumbrances, benefits, royalties; and define both lessee and lessor privileges and responsibilities. Other issues which may be discussed include liens, who will pay taxes, and compensation in case of damages.

Certain corporate or individual names appear frequently in the lease and agreement books. These include several oil companies such as Virgin Dome Oil Company, Utah Oil Refining Company, Continental Oil Company (CONOCO), Sinclair and Standard Oil Companies. Book 7 contains numerous leases involving the United States Atomic Energy Commission and uranium mining. While most of the leases and agreements deal with oil, gas or uranium, documents in these books relate to many issues. Agreements include such things as prenuptial agreements, agreements between partners in business, and agreementsbetween corporations, such as an agreement between Dixie Power Company and Veyo Irrigation Company about water use. Leases include a wide variety of things, such as land leases for agriculture or a federal government lease of space in the Saint George Tabernacle for a post office.