AGENCY: Free Coinage Mining District (Utah). Recorder
SERIES: 24156
TITLE: Mining records
DATES: 1895-1897.
ARRANGEMENT: By record type, thereunder chronological by date.
DESCRIPTION: 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 the locator, 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.
RETENTION
DISPOSITION
RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION
These records are in Archives' permanent custody.
FORMAT MANAGEMENT
Microfilm master: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
Microfilm duplicate: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
Paper: Retain in Office permanently after being microfilmed.
Microfilm duplicate: Retain in Office permanently.
APPRAISAL
Historical
Free Coinage Mining District records contain historical information about mining claims and mining activity in Tooele County (Utah). in the 1890s.
PRIMARY DESIGNATION
Public