Series 24160
Rush Valley Mining District (Utah). Recorder Mining records
Dates: 1863-1897.
0.40 cubic foot and 2 microfilm reels
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
Mining activity in California established precedents which were carried to Utah Territory and eventually validated when Congress passed a federal mining law in 1872. Mineral deposits on the public domain were free and open to exploration and 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). In order to regulate mining activity and keep track of individual claims, local miners organized mining districts and appointed district recorders to keep records. Notices of location are the recorder's record of claims within the district. Each notice provides the dimensions of the claim and a description of its location. It names locators and gives the dates of location and recording. All except the earliest location notices in the Rush Valley District include a name by which the claim was identified. The minutes of miners' meetings and copies of by-laws and revised by-laws werealso recorded in the location notices record books.
Research Note
The Rush Valley Mining District was created in 1864 when the West Mountain District was divided. Many location notices in Book A were recorded by Archibald Gardiner, president of the West Mountain Mining District, and pre-date the organization of the Rush Valley District.
Research Note
The Rush Valley Mining District was created in 1864 when the West Mountain District was divided. Many location notices in Book A were recorded by Archibald Gardiner, president of the West Mountain Mining District, and pre-date the organization of the Rush Valley District.
Access Restrictions
This series is designated as Public.
Reproduction and Use
These records are available for reproduction and use.
Finding Aids
Indexes: District recorders created indexes for all Rush Valley books. Indexes appear at the beginning of each book, with the exception that the index to Book D begins on page 41. Indexes provide reference by the name of the claim and identify the page on which location was recorded.
Related Records
Mining district by-laws from United States. General Land Office, Series 3651, also include a copy of the by-laws for the Rush Valley District.
Mining records from Tooele County (Utah). County Recorder, Series 6150, contain additional mining records for claims located in the Rush Valley Mining District.
Mining records from Tooele City Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 24152, contain location notices and other mining records recorded after 1870 in the area of the Tooele City Mining District, which was originally part of the Rush Valley District.
Transfers from Rush Valley Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 24161, contain deeds or transfers of mining claims in the Rush Valley District.
Proof of labor records from Rush Valley Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 24162, documents labor performed to hold claims in the Rush Valley District.
Indexing Terms
Rush Valley Mining District (Utah)--Corporate minutes.
Rush Valley Mining District (Utah)--By-laws.
Mining claims--Utah--Tooele County.
Mines and mineral resources--Property--Utah--Tooele County.
Utah--Tooele County--Mines and mineral resources.
| REEL | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | 1863 Jun - 1864 Jul: Book A |
| 1 | 1864 Jun - 1865 Sep: Book B |
| 1 | 1865 Oct - 1870 May: Book C |
| 1 | 1866 Oct - 1872 Jan: Book D |
| 2 | 1872 Jan - 1884 Jan: Book E |
| 2 | 1884 Apr - 1895 Apr: Book F |
| 2 | 1895 Apr - 1897 May: Book G |