The Mining History Association conference visited a number of old area mine sites today. The Spiro tunnel is right near old downtown and was originally associated with the Silver King mine, much higher up on the landscape. It is now being refurbished as a drainage and water supply system for Park City the ski areas and Salt Lake City. They are bringing some 10,000 gallons per minute of water through, treating it to remove metals in a brand new plant and using it to irrigate lawns, the golf course and make snow. There is on going construction in the tunnel, which is adjacent to a huge ski lift. The tunnel extends some two miles into the mountain and at one time ended at the old Silver King shaft. It was briefly used as a ski lift in 1960s since the headframe on the Silver King was working. That headframe has now collapsed.
Spiro Tunnel Works
We also took the modern Ski lift which ends close to the Silver King mine. This is where Thomas Kearns, John Judge and others made their fortunes. It was a much richer mine than the more famous Ontario of Hearst and Co. The old buildings have been severely damaged by the heavy snows of the last two winters and the local history group is working to rebuild and restore it if possible.
Plaque outside Silver King
The Daly West headframe is right in the middle of the Deer Valley Ski area and it collapsed some years ago due to degradation of the shaft. The residents paid to fill the shaft, repair the headframe and relocate it on stable ground nearby. John Daly, its owner was an enlightened employer. After an explosion at the mine killed 34 miners in 1902 he paid $2,000 to the family of each of the deceased.
The Daly West Headframe
The Ontario Three was the last area mine to close, circa 1980. It is now a Park City maintenance facility after an effort by Six Flags to turn it into a theme park.
Ontario Three Headframe
