Bingham Canyon, Utah: Difference between revisions
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→Further reading: I added a citation and link to the "Bingham Canyon" article in the online Utah History Encyclopedia {first published as a physical volume in 1994}. The citation also included links to an archived copy of that article and to the Encyclopedia's homepage. |
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{{For|the copper mine at this location|Bingham Canyon Mine }} |
{{For|the copper mine at this location|Bingham Canyon Mine }} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} |
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{{Infobox settlement |
{{Infobox settlement |
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| name = Bingham Canyon |
| name = Bingham Canyon |
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| settlement_type = [[Ghost town]] |
| settlement_type = [[Ghost town]] |
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| image_skyline = Bingham Canyon, Utah, in 1914.jpg |
| image_skyline = Bingham Canyon, Utah, in 1914.jpg |
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| imagesize = |
| imagesize = |
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| image_caption = Bingham Canyon in 1914 |
| image_caption = Bingham Canyon in 1914 |
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| pushpin_map = Utah |
| pushpin_map = Utah#USA |
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| pushpin_label_position = right |
| pushpin_label_position = right |
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| map_caption = Location of Bingham Canyon |
| map_caption = Location of Bingham Canyon within the [[Utah|State of Utah]] |
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| coordinates_region = US-UT |
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| subdivision_name = United States |
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| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |
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| subdivision_name1 = [[Utah]] |
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| subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] |
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| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Utah|County]] |
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| subdivision_name2 = [[Salt Lake County, Utah|Salt Lake]] |
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| subdivision_name2 = [[Salt Lake County, Utah|Salt Lake]] |
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| elevation_ft = 5938 |
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| elevation_m = 1810 |
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| coordinates = {{coord|40|33|30|N|112|07|50|W|region:US-UT|display=inline,title}} |
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| elevation_m = 1810 |
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| coordinates_display = inline,title |
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| latd = 40 |
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| latm = 33 |
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| lats = 30 |
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| latNS = N |
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| longd = 112 |
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| longm = 07 |
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| longs = 50 |
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| longEW = W |
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'''Bingham''' was a city formerly located in southwestern [[Salt Lake County]], [[Utah]], United States, in a narrow canyon on the eastern face of the [[Oquirrh Mountains]]. The Bingham Canyon area boomed during the first years of the twentieth century, as rich [[copper]] deposits in the canyon began to be developed, and at its peak the city had approximately 15,000 residents. |
'''Bingham Canyon''' was a city formerly located in southwestern [[Salt Lake County]], [[Utah]], United States, in a narrow canyon on the eastern face of the [[Oquirrh Mountains]]. The Bingham Canyon area boomed during the first years of the twentieth century, as rich [[copper]] deposits in the canyon began to be developed, and at its peak the city had approximately 15,000 residents. The success of the local mines eventually proved to be the town's undoing, however: by the mid-twentieth century, the huge open-pit [[Bingham Canyon Mine]] began encroaching on the land of the community, causing residents to relocate. By the 1970s, almost the entirety of the town had been devoured by the mine, and the few remaining residents voted to disincorporate and abandon the community. No trace of Bingham Canyon remains today.<ref name=udas>{{cite web|title=City of Bingham Canyon |url=https://archives.utah.gov/research/agencyhistories/78.html|website=Utah Division of State Archives|accessdate=5 May 2017 |location=Salt Lake City, UT|date=2 July 2003}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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{{More citations needed|1=section|date=March 2023}} |
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⚫ | The geographic feature known as '''Bingham Canyon''' received its name from the location's two first settlers, the brothers Thomas and Sanford Bingham, who arrived in the canyon in 1848. |
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[[File:Plat E, Bingham Townsite Map, 1900 from the Salt Lake County Recorder's Bingham Canyon Maps.png|thumb|center|Plat E, Bingham Townsite Map, 1900 from the Salt Lake County Recorder's Bingham Canyon Maps]] |
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⚫ | The geographic feature known as '''Bingham Canyon''' received its name from the location's two first settlers, the brothers Thomas and Sanford Bingham, who arrived in the canyon in 1848. Initially, the area was utilized for livestock grazing and logging, but the region's economic focus changed with the 1863 discovery of rich [[gold]] and [[silver]] ore bodies in the canyon. Mining activity in Bingham Canyon boomed after the [[Bingham Canyon and Camp Floyd Rail Road]] completed a line to the canyon in 1873, and as the region grew the focus shifted to the high-quality copper ores in the district. As the mines grew, the town of Bingham also expanded, spreading along the narrow and steep canyon floor below the mines. |
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The Bingham Canyon mines experienced their greatest boom during the first years of the twentieth century, as the district's smaller mines were consolidated under large corporate ownership. |
The Bingham Canyon mines experienced their greatest boom during the first years of the twentieth century, as the district's smaller mines were consolidated under large corporate ownership. The most significant development occurred in 1903, when [[Daniel C. Jackling]] organized the [[Utah Copper Company]] to begin surface mining at Bingham Canyon. The Utah Copper Company's mine prospered, and this brought a tremendous influx of new residents into the canyon. The town of Bingham Canyon was officially incorporated on February 29, 1904.<ref name=udas/> [[File:Plat Map of the proposed Bingham Canyon twon as part of the incorporation records, 1904.tif|thumb|left|Plat Map of the proposed Bingham Canyon town when the town filed for incorporation with Salt Lake County,1904.]][[File:Petition of the Electors of Bingham for Incorporation for the Town of Bingham Canyon, January 2, 1904.pdf|thumb|Petition of the Electors of Bingham for Incorporation for the Town of Bingham Canyon, submitted to the Salt Lake County Commission, January 2, 1904.]]By the 1920s, the city of Bingham Canyon was at its peak, with perhaps 15,000 inhabitants. Urban development spread for some seven miles along the single, narrow road winding up the steep canyon floor. |
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As with many western mining towns, the Bingham Canyon area evolved into a collection of diverse neighborhoods, many with pronounced ethnic affiliations. Many Scandinavians lived in the Carr Fork area, while southern and eastern Europeans congregated in Highland Boy, which was in another branch canyon toward the top of the main city. As the mainstreet in the bottom of the canyon grew, Copperfield became the name of the upper section of the main town. |
As with many western mining towns, the Bingham Canyon area evolved into a collection of diverse neighborhoods, many with pronounced ethnic affiliations. Many Scandinavians lived in the Carr Fork area, while southern and eastern Europeans congregated in Highland Boy, which was in another branch canyon toward the top of the main city. As the mainstreet in the bottom of the canyon grew, Copperfield became the name of the upper section of the main town. Bingham itself attracted British, French, Irish, Puerto Rican, Mexican, and other immigrants and ethnicities. Numerous other small neighborhoods and communities also existed. Most took the name of the mine where they were located. Commercial, Boston Con, and "the Niagara" were the first three communities to be mined away or covered, as the last one was by Galena Gulch waste dumps. Others were the Galena, Old Jordan, and Silver Shield (these three found in Galena Gulch), along with Niagara. Telegraph was in the upper part of the canyon, along with Copperfield, which was threatened when the mining excavating was expanded and a long one-way tunnel was built before 1940 to allow traffic to reach the upper communities. Many names were colorful: Terrace Heights, Dinkeyville, Jap Camp, and Greek camp were sections of Copperfield. The Frisco, Yampa, Phoenix, and Apex were in Carr Fork along with Highland Boy. Further down the canyon were Markham, Freeman, and Frog Town (lower Bingham). |
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[[File:Sheet 3 from Salt Lake County Recorder Plat Maps, Bingham Plat A, 1962-1963, Reel 09137, Record Series RC-052.jpg|thumb|left|A plat of Bingham Canyon showing Main St. circa 1962.]] |
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⚫ | The size and importance of the Bingham community began to fade as early as the 1920s. The canyon's difficult geography made urban development difficult, while exposing the town to the hazards of fire and avalanche. The first effort to reduce settlement in the canyon came in 1926, when Utah Copper established the town of [[Copperton, Utah|Copperton]] on the flats east of the canyon mouth. This was a lovely community with many copper products used in the building of the houses, and the low rent encouraged company employees to live there. In 1956, Kennecott sold the homes to employees for $4,800 to $6,000. Increasing mechanization at the mine also reduced local employment—and hence, Bingham Canyon's population. |
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On 17 February 1926, seventy-nine people were killed when a snow avalanche destroyed a mining camp in the area.<ref>{{cite news |title="Disasters" |url=https://archive.org/details/powell-valley-news-1927/page/n2/mode/1up |access-date=21 August 2023 |publisher=Powell Valley News |date=7 January 1927}}</ref> |
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⚫ | The size and importance of the Bingham community began to fade as early as the 1920s. The canyon's difficult geography made urban development difficult, while exposing the town to the hazards of fire and avalanche. |
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By the 1930s it was becoming apparent that the most significant threat to the town of Bingham was the mine itself, whose ever-expanding open pit began encroaching on lands formerly occupied by miners' neighborhoods. The mine continued to eat away at Bingham throughout the middle years of the twentieth century, and by 1971 little of the town remained. |
By the 1930s it was becoming apparent that the most significant threat to the town of Bingham was the mine itself, whose ever-expanding open pit began encroaching on lands formerly occupied by miners' neighborhoods. The mine continued to eat away at Bingham throughout the middle years of the twentieth century, and by 1971 little of the town remained. That November, Bingham Canyon's 31 remaining residents voted 11–2 to [[Disincorporated|disincorporate]] the town,<ref name=udas/> and the last buildings at Bingham were razed in 1972. Today, most of the land once occupied by Bingham has been consumed by the Bingham Canyon Mine. |
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[[File:BCpanorama.jpeg|thumb|center| |
[[File:BCpanorama.jpeg|thumb|center|1000px|Panorama of Bingham Canyon, 1925. Photo courtesy of Utah State Historical Society. [http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/USHS_Shipler&CISOPTR=8913&CISOBOX=1&REC=20 Full-size image]]] |
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==Climate== |
==Climate== |
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Climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. This climate type is found on the eastern sides of the continents between 20° and 35° N and S latitude. |
Climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. This climate type is found on the eastern sides of the continents between 20° and 35° N and S latitude. The [[Köppen Climate Classification]] subtype for this climate is "[[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]" (Humid Subtropical Climate).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=996024&cityname=Bingham+Canyon,+Utah,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Bingham Canyon, Utah Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|accessdate=23 August 2017}}</ref> |
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==Notable people== |
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* [[Keith Conners]], psychologist, best known for establishing the first standards for the diagnosis of [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]] (ADHD)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/health/keith-conners-dead-psychologist-adhd-diagnosing.html|title=Keith Conners, Psychologist Who Set Standard for Diagnosing A.D.H.D., Dies at 84|first=Benedict|last=Carey|date=13 July 2017|publisher=|accessdate=23 August 2017|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> |
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* [[David Daniel Marriott]], former [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Haymond |first1=Jay M. |title=David Daniel Marriott |url=https://historytogo.utah.gov/marriott-david/ |website=Utah.gov |accessdate=February 1, 2020}}</ref> |
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* John Saltas, founder of alternative weekly [[Salt Lake City]] newspaper [[Salt Lake City Weekly]]<ref>{{cite web|title=City of Bingham Canyon |url=https://www.binghamalumni.org/pay-dirt-club/john-saltas-2/|website=Miner Details: The official site of Bingham High School Alumni & Friends|accessdate=2 September 2023}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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{{Portal|Utah}} |
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* [[List of ghost towns in Utah]] |
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{{clear}} |
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http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ut/copperfield.html |
http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ut/copperfield.html |
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http://eldonbray.blogspot.com/2012/04/small-towns-in-bingham-canyon.html |
http://eldonbray.blogspot.com/2012/04/small-towns-in-bingham-canyon.html |
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http://www.kennecott.com/library/media/2007_Educators_Brochure.pdf |
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==Bibliography== |
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==Further reading== |
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* (1994) [https://web.archive.org/web/20231203041715/https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/b/BINGHAM_CANYON.shtml "Bingham Canyon"] article in the [https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/ ''Utah History Encyclopedia''.] The article was written by Scott Crump and the Encyclopedia was published by the University of Utah Press. ISBN 9780874804256. Archived from [https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/b/BINGHAM_CANYON.shtml the original] on December 3, 2023 and retrieved on April 13, 2024. |
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* (1994) [https://web.archive.org/web/20221103115740/https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/c/COPPER_MINING.shtml "Copper Mining"] article in the [https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/ ''Utah History Encyclopedia''.] The article was written by Philip F. Notarianni and the Encyclopedia was published by the University of Utah Press. ISBN 9780874804256. Archived from [https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/c/COPPER_MINING.shtml the original] on November 3, 2022 and retrieved on April 12, 2024. |
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==External links== |
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{{commons category-inline|Bingham Canyon, Utah}} |
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{{Salt Lake County, Utah}} |
{{Salt Lake County, Utah}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Ghost towns in Utah]] |
[[Category:Ghost towns in Utah]] |
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[[Category:Populated places established in 1863]] |
[[Category:Populated places established in 1863]] |
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[[Category:Populated places disestablished in 1971]] |
[[Category:Populated places disestablished in 1971]] |
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[[Category:Mining communities in Utah]] |
[[Category:Mining communities in Utah]] |
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[[Category:Company towns in Utah]] |
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[[Category:Former cities in Utah]] |
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[[Category:1863 establishments in Utah Territory]] |
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[[Category:1971 disestablishments in Utah]] |
Latest revision as of 17:47, 13 April 2024
Bingham Canyon | |
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Bingham Canyon in 1914 | |
Location of Bingham Canyon within the State of Utah | |
Coordinates: 40°33′30″N 112°07′50″W / 40.55833°N 112.13056°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Utah |
County | Salt Lake |
Founded | 1863 |
Incorporated | February 29, 1904 |
Became a city | May 23, 1938 |
Abandoned | 1972 |
Named for | Thomas and Sanford Bingham |
Elevation | 5,938 ft (1,810 m) |
GNIS feature ID | 1425580[1] |
Bingham Canyon was a city formerly located in southwestern Salt Lake County, Utah, United States, in a narrow canyon on the eastern face of the Oquirrh Mountains. The Bingham Canyon area boomed during the first years of the twentieth century, as rich copper deposits in the canyon began to be developed, and at its peak the city had approximately 15,000 residents. The success of the local mines eventually proved to be the town's undoing, however: by the mid-twentieth century, the huge open-pit Bingham Canyon Mine began encroaching on the land of the community, causing residents to relocate. By the 1970s, almost the entirety of the town had been devoured by the mine, and the few remaining residents voted to disincorporate and abandon the community. No trace of Bingham Canyon remains today.[2]
History
[edit]This section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2023) |
The geographic feature known as Bingham Canyon received its name from the location's two first settlers, the brothers Thomas and Sanford Bingham, who arrived in the canyon in 1848. Initially, the area was utilized for livestock grazing and logging, but the region's economic focus changed with the 1863 discovery of rich gold and silver ore bodies in the canyon. Mining activity in Bingham Canyon boomed after the Bingham Canyon and Camp Floyd Rail Road completed a line to the canyon in 1873, and as the region grew the focus shifted to the high-quality copper ores in the district. As the mines grew, the town of Bingham also expanded, spreading along the narrow and steep canyon floor below the mines.
The Bingham Canyon mines experienced their greatest boom during the first years of the twentieth century, as the district's smaller mines were consolidated under large corporate ownership. The most significant development occurred in 1903, when Daniel C. Jackling organized the Utah Copper Company to begin surface mining at Bingham Canyon. The Utah Copper Company's mine prospered, and this brought a tremendous influx of new residents into the canyon. The town of Bingham Canyon was officially incorporated on February 29, 1904.[2]
By the 1920s, the city of Bingham Canyon was at its peak, with perhaps 15,000 inhabitants. Urban development spread for some seven miles along the single, narrow road winding up the steep canyon floor.
As with many western mining towns, the Bingham Canyon area evolved into a collection of diverse neighborhoods, many with pronounced ethnic affiliations. Many Scandinavians lived in the Carr Fork area, while southern and eastern Europeans congregated in Highland Boy, which was in another branch canyon toward the top of the main city. As the mainstreet in the bottom of the canyon grew, Copperfield became the name of the upper section of the main town. Bingham itself attracted British, French, Irish, Puerto Rican, Mexican, and other immigrants and ethnicities. Numerous other small neighborhoods and communities also existed. Most took the name of the mine where they were located. Commercial, Boston Con, and "the Niagara" were the first three communities to be mined away or covered, as the last one was by Galena Gulch waste dumps. Others were the Galena, Old Jordan, and Silver Shield (these three found in Galena Gulch), along with Niagara. Telegraph was in the upper part of the canyon, along with Copperfield, which was threatened when the mining excavating was expanded and a long one-way tunnel was built before 1940 to allow traffic to reach the upper communities. Many names were colorful: Terrace Heights, Dinkeyville, Jap Camp, and Greek camp were sections of Copperfield. The Frisco, Yampa, Phoenix, and Apex were in Carr Fork along with Highland Boy. Further down the canyon were Markham, Freeman, and Frog Town (lower Bingham).
The size and importance of the Bingham community began to fade as early as the 1920s. The canyon's difficult geography made urban development difficult, while exposing the town to the hazards of fire and avalanche. The first effort to reduce settlement in the canyon came in 1926, when Utah Copper established the town of Copperton on the flats east of the canyon mouth. This was a lovely community with many copper products used in the building of the houses, and the low rent encouraged company employees to live there. In 1956, Kennecott sold the homes to employees for $4,800 to $6,000. Increasing mechanization at the mine also reduced local employment—and hence, Bingham Canyon's population.
On 17 February 1926, seventy-nine people were killed when a snow avalanche destroyed a mining camp in the area.[3]
By the 1930s it was becoming apparent that the most significant threat to the town of Bingham was the mine itself, whose ever-expanding open pit began encroaching on lands formerly occupied by miners' neighborhoods. The mine continued to eat away at Bingham throughout the middle years of the twentieth century, and by 1971 little of the town remained. That November, Bingham Canyon's 31 remaining residents voted 11–2 to disincorporate the town,[2] and the last buildings at Bingham were razed in 1972. Today, most of the land once occupied by Bingham has been consumed by the Bingham Canyon Mine.
Climate
[edit]Climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. This climate type is found on the eastern sides of the continents between 20° and 35° N and S latitude. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa" (Humid Subtropical Climate).[4]
Notable people
[edit]- Keith Conners, psychologist, best known for establishing the first standards for the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)[5]
- David Daniel Marriott, former U.S. Representative[6]
- John Saltas, founder of alternative weekly Salt Lake City newspaper Salt Lake City Weekly[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Bingham Canyon
- ^ a b c "City of Bingham Canyon". Utah Division of State Archives. Salt Lake City, UT. July 2, 2003. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- ^ ""Disasters"". Powell Valley News. January 7, 1927. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ^ "Bingham Canyon, Utah Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ Carey, Benedict (July 13, 2017). "Keith Conners, Psychologist Who Set Standard for Diagnosing A.D.H.D., Dies at 84". Retrieved August 23, 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Haymond, Jay M. "David Daniel Marriott". Utah.gov. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
- ^ "City of Bingham Canyon". Miner Details: The official site of Bingham High School Alumni & Friends. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ut/copperfield.html
http://eldonbray.blogspot.com/2012/04/small-towns-in-bingham-canyon.html
http://www.kennecott.com/library/media/2007_Educators_Brochure.pdf
Bibliography
[edit]- Carr, Stephen L. The Historical Guide to Utah Ghost Towns. Salt Lake City: Western Epics, 1972. ISBN 978-0-914740-30-8.
- Sillitoe, Linda. A History of Salt Lake County. Salt Lake City: Utah State Historical Society, 1996. ISBN 0-913738-04-2.
Further reading
[edit]- (1994) "Bingham Canyon" article in the Utah History Encyclopedia. The article was written by Scott Crump and the Encyclopedia was published by the University of Utah Press. ISBN 9780874804256. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023 and retrieved on April 13, 2024.
- (1994) "Copper Mining" article in the Utah History Encyclopedia. The article was written by Philip F. Notarianni and the Encyclopedia was published by the University of Utah Press. ISBN 9780874804256. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022 and retrieved on April 12, 2024.
External links
[edit] Media related to Bingham Canyon, Utah at Wikimedia Commons