Series 24408
Tooele County (Utah). County Recorder Willow Springs Mining District records
Dates: 1891-1900.
1 microfilm reel
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
The Willow Springs Mining District, organized 21 May 1891 in the Deep Creek Mountains of western Tooele County (Utah), was an extension of mining activity at Gold Hill. Gold Hill prospectors organized this district in accordance with federal law, which stated that mineral deposits in the public domain were free and open to exploration, and locators of the same had exclusive right of possession (Statutes at Large, Treaties, and Proclamations, of the United States of America, vol. 17, 1872, chap. 152). The law authorized local mining districts to keep records and oversee mining operations within specified boundaries. The Willow Springs Mining District record books begin with a copy of by-laws for the district. By-laws are followed by notices of location (claims) filed with the district. Each notice prominently states the name of the claim and confirms compliance with federal law and local regulations. Notices provide information about the claim's dimensions and location, and identify thenames of discoverers. They provide the dates for discovery and filing and are signed by the district or county recorder. While notices of location dominate, these books also include a few other mining related documents such as affidavits showing proof of annual assessment labor.
Images Available
This series is available on microfilm.
Access Restrictions
This series is designated as Public.
Reproduction and Use
These records are available for reproduction and use.
Related Records
Mining records from Tooele County (Utah). County Recorder, Series 6150, are cross-referenced. From 1897-1900 Tooele County recorder, Emily Dods, kept the Willow Springs record book. During this period she filed copies of location notices in both the Willow Springs book and in this series.
File book from Willow Springs Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 24409, contains a chronological list of location notices filed by Willow Springs District recorders.
Indexing Terms
Mining claims--Utah--Tooele County.
Mines and mineral resources--Property--Tooele County (Utah).
Utah--Tooele County--Mines and mineral resources.
Gold Hill--Utah.
| REEL | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | 1891 May - 1892 Apr: Book 1 |
| 1 | 1892 Apr - 1897 May: Book 2 |
| 1 | 1897 Jan - 1900 Jan: Book 3 |