Ohio Mining District (Utah). Recorder Mining records, 1872-1897.

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, 1872, vol. XVII, chap. 152). The Ohio Mining District recorder kept notices of location, affidavits showing proof of annual labor, and other mining documents. He also kept district by-laws and minutes of miners' meetings. Location notices for the Ohio District confirm compliance with federal and local laws and declare the citizenship of locators. Each location notice provides a unique name for the claim and describes its dimensions and location. Notices provide dates of discovery and filing and are signed by both locators and the district recorder. Many early location notices in the Ohio District books are accompanied by claim maps. The Ohio District mining records also containthe district recorder's statements confirming annual labor. In order to maintain a claim, federal law required at least $100 worth of labor or improvements annually. Ohio District by-laws required the recorder to annually visit each claim to assess the value of work done. He recorded information about these visits in the record books. In addition to notices of location and statements validating labor performed Ohio Mining District records include the minutes of miners' meetings and copies of district by-laws and revised by-laws.