AGENCY: Tooele County (Utah). County Recorder
SERIES: 6150
TITLE: Mining records
DATES: 1885-1955.
ARRANGEMENT: By document format in alphabetically labeled volumes, thereunder chronological by date filed.
DESCRIPTION: Tooele County mining record books predominantly contain notices of location (mining claims) filed in the county recorder's office. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century gold, copper, silver, lead and zinc were mined extensively in Tooele County. Each mine began with the discovery of a potentially productive site and the recording of a notice of location. Federal mining law enacted in 1872 provided that valuable mineral deposits were free and open to exploration and that the locators of the same were to have exclusive right of possession (Statutes at Large, Treaties, and Proclamations, of the United States of America, vol. 17, chap. 152, also Revised Statutes of the United States, chap. 6, title 32). Each notice of location affirms that the locator had complied with federal and local mining laws. Each notice provides a description of the claim, identifies it by a unique name, gives the mining district in which it was located, and provides the names of locators. Notices provide dates of location and recording and are signed by the Tooele County recorder. In addition to notices of location, Tooele County mining record books include other mining documents, such as agreements relating to mining, amendments to notices of location, mining district by-laws, and affidavits showing proof of annual assessment labor.
RETENTION
DISPOSITION
RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION
These records are in Archives' permanent custody.
FORMAT MANAGEMENT
Paper: Retain in Office permanently.
Microfilm duplicate: Retain in State Archives permanently.
Microfilm master: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
APPRAISAL
Historical Legal
Tooele County mining record books document the development of mining claims in Tooele County.
PRIMARY DESIGNATION
Public