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by

Lane D. RichensDeborah C. HarrisRichard K. Talbot

of theOFFICE OF PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY

TECHNICAL SERIES NO. 12-02MUSEUM OF PEOPLES AND CULTURES • BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

JUNE 2012

Archaeological Assessment of the Morrison Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project Sites,

Sanpete County, Utah

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Brigham Young UniversityMuseum of Peoples and CulturesTECHNICAL SERIES NO. 12-02

ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE MORRISON ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION PROJECT SITES,

SANPETE COUNTY, UTAH

by

Lane D. RichensDeborah C. HarrisRichard K. Talbot

Office of Public ArchaeologyRichard K. Talbot, DirectorBrigham Young University

Provo, Utah 84602

June 2012

Prepared for URS Corporation - Salt Lake City, UT756 East Winchester Street, Suite 400

Salt Lake City, UT 84107

Utah Department of Natural ResourcesDivision of Oil, Gas and Mining

1594 West North Temple, Suite 1210Salt Lake City, Utah 84114

Federal Antiquities Permit Number 11-UT-54624Utah State Project Authorization Number U-12-BC-00298p

Utah Principal Investigator Permit No. 67

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Abstract

The Office of Public Archaeology (OPA), under contract with URS Corporation and the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM), completed an archaeological assessment of three mines and an associated water tunnel for the Morrison Mine Reclamation Project. The Morrison Project area is located approximately 2.5 miles east of Sterling, along Sixmile Canyon Road and includes coal mines and associated coal refuse from mines developed in the Sterling coal bed in Sanpete County. The sites consist of the Morrison Mine (42SP232), the Funk Canyon Mine (42SP258), the Jensen Mine (42SP793), and the Sterling Tunnel (42SP794). The survey was conducted with the purpose of identifying any historical remains associated with the sites. The Morrison and Funk Canyon mines had been previously recorded, so site forms for those sites were updated. The Jensen Mine is newly recorded, as is the Sterling Tunnel. All sites were evaluated in terms of the current condition of the site relative to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Fieldwork was carried out on April 10, and May 11, 2012. Significant remains were located at the Morrison Mine and Sterling Tunnel. OPA recommends that these sites qualify for eligibility to the NRHP. The other sites are recommended as ineligible for inclusion to the NRHP.

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Management Summary

Project Title: Archaeological Assessment of the Morrison Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project Sites, Sanpete County, Utah

Utah State Project Number: U-12-BC-0298p

Agencies: Utah Department of Natural Resources ─ Division of Oil Gas and Mining DOGM Project Number: AMR/023/906

Project Description: The project consisted of a reassessment of the Morrison Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project sites, located approximately two miles east of Sterling along Sixmile Canyon Road in Sanpete County, Utah. An examination of any remaining structures or historical artifacts associated with the Morrison Mine, the Funk Canyon Mine, the Jensen Mine, and the Sterling Tunnel was requested preliminary to planned reclamation of the sites by UDOGM.

Location: Sanpete County, Utah, Sterling Quad, USGS 7.5’ Topographic Map SE ¼ of Section 35, T18S R2E NE ¼ of SE ¼ of SW ¼ of Section 35, T18S R2E NW ¼ of SW ¼ of SW ¼ of Section 36, T18S R2E SW ¼ of NW ¼ of NE ¼ of Section 2, T19S R2E

Dates of Fieldwork: April 10 and May 11, 2012

New Sites Recorded: 2 (42SP793 and 42SP794)

Previously Recorded/

Sites Revisited: 2 (42SP232 and 24SP258)

Eligible Sites: 2

Summary of Sites: Two new sites (42SP793 and 42SP794) and two previously recorded sites (42SP232 and 42SP258) are located within the project area. Three are coal mines that were developed in the Sterling coal bed in Sanpete County between 1888 and ca. 1935. One site consists of a water drainage tunnel constructed to drain the mines. The Morrison Mine and Sterling Tunnel were previously subsumed under a single site number (42SP232), but are separated in this survey into two individual sites (42SP232 and 42SP794). These two sites meet the National Register of Historical Places criteria for eligibility. The other two mines do not qualify for NRHP eligibility.

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Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iManagement Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iiiTable of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vList of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vProject Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Project Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Project Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1DOGM Mine Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Closed Mine Openings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Area of Potential Effects (APE). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Survey Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Site Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Subsurface Remains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Site Assessment Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Mine Openings as Isolated Finds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Regulatory Setting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Integrity of the Morrison Mine Reclamation Project Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Historic Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Project History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Survey Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Morrison Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Funk Canyon Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Jensen Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Sterling Tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Figure 1. Morrison Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project area and site boundaries. . . . . . . 2Figure 2. Schematic drawing, Sterling Drainage Tunnel and associated mine adits. . . . . . . 11Figure 3. Overview of upper site area, Site 42SP232 (Morrison Mine). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Figure 4. Coal refuse dump in the upper site area of Site 42SP232. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Figure 5. Collapsed adit in Site 42SP232. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Figure 6. Rock foundation wall in Site 42SP232. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Figure 7. H-shaped stone foundation in Site 42SP232.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Figure 8. Depression on ridge above H-shaped foundation in Site 42SP232. . . . . . . . . . . . 17Figure 9. Overview of the Funk Canyon Mine, Site 24SP258 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Figure 10. HO1 in Site 42SP258. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Figure 11. Hillside trench cut and possible collapsed adit HO2 in Site 42SP258. . . . . . . . . 21Figure 12. Powder magazine feature in Site 42SP258. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

List of Figures

Table of Contents

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Figure 13. Platform associated with powder magazine in Site 42SP258.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Figure 14. Mine waste on the northwest side of Site 42SP258. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Figure 15. Rock retaining wall located in the western half of Site 42SP258. . . . . . . . . . . . 24Figure 16. Overview of the Jensen Mine, Site 42SP793. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Figure 17. View of HO1 in Site 42SP793.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Figure 18. Retaining wall and road or track way in Site 24SP793. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Figure 19. Platform area at Site 42SP793.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Figure 20. Opening of the Sterling Tunnel in Site 42SP794. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Figure 21. Remnant drainage aqueduct from Sterling Tunnel in Site 42SP794. . . . . . . . . . 30Figure 22. Sterling Tunnel drainage pipes in Site 42SP794.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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Project Overview

Project Description

The Office of Public Archaeology at Brigham Young University (OPA), under contract with URS Corporation and the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (UDOGM), completed an archaeological assessment of the Morrison, Jensen, and Funk Canyon mines, and the Sterling Tunnel, located in Sanpete County, approximately two miles east of Sterling, Utah (Figure 1). Field work was conducted on April 10 and May 11, 2012.

A literature review and file search was conducted online through the Utah State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) by Richard Talbot prior to the commencement of fieldwork. The State History files agreed with documentation provided to OPA by URS/UDOGM about the original inventory, documentation, and reclamation efforts of the mines that have been recorded. No other projects or work have been carried out since that time at the mine.

Definitions

The following definitions or explanations, some provided by or paraphrased from DOGM guidelines, directed the inventory work and explain the procedures employed during this project for site examination, documentation, categorization, and NRHP eligibility determination.

Project Area The Project Area defines the geographic area within which the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project (AMRP) has identified mine openings. The Project Area boundary usually generously circumscribes the mines, often following lines of major topographic features. Consequently the Project Area is usually much larger than the area actually affected or the area to be inventoried.

DOGM Mine Numbers A separate numbering system is employed by the Utah DOGM to designate each opening. In their system, mining features identified for inclusion in the Utah Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program are designated by tag numbers which provide a short-hand reference for each opening. This reference number is unique and is descriptive of the feature and its location. The documentation of the mines was undertaken through the completion of an Intermountain Antiquities Computer System (IMACS) site form tied to the Division of State History site number, but careful attention was paid to also link all documentation to the state tag designations employed by DOGM as well.

The DOGM state tag number system is briefly explained here since the numbers are used throughout the documentation to refer to specific features. In this numbering system, each mine opening or feature is identified by a unique site identification number which follows a standardized format. The identification number (ID or state tag number) is a three part designation consisting of seven digits followed by two letters followed by three final digits. The first digit indicates the mine location in relation to four quadrants formed by the Salt Lake baseline and meridian (SLBM). Townships north and east of the SLBM are coded as “1”. The other three quadrants are numbered in counter clockwise order (for example, NE = 1, NW = 2, SW = 3, SE = 4). The second and third digits of the state tag number indicate the township, the fourth and fifth digits indicate the range, and the sixth and seventh digits indicate the section. These numbers are followed by letters indicating the type of mine opening (H= horizontal adit, I= inclined adit, V= vertical shaft, SH= subsidence hole, PR= prospect, HP= horizontal prospect, VP= vertical prospect, PT= open pit, TR= trench). In the case of shafts and adits, the final letter designates whether the mine is open

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(O) or closed (C). Sequential numbers following the coded letters are then assigned in the order that the openings were encountered during the DOGM field inventory. Thus, the site numbered as 4180236HO003 is located in the southeast quadrant of the state and is the third open adit (horizontal opening) inventoried in Township 18 South, Range 2 East, Section 36.

Closed Mine Openings Closed mine openings are mine workings that have been determined to have no safety issues and will not be subjected to closure activities. These do not need to be surveyed or recorded because they are not part of this specific proposed action. However, closed mine openings (can be included) as part of historic landscapes or sites if they are adjacent to open mines. The AMRP, through the engineering survey report, has already collected important data for closed as well as open mines including GPS points, measurements, and photographs of each mine opening.

Area of Potential Effects (APE) The APE for each project (is) determined by AMRP and the federal land managing agency. The survey areas are subsets of the larger APE (see survey area descriptions below).

Survey Area The survey area included each mine or tunnel opening plus a 30-meter radius around the opening. Extending the survey area beyond the 30-meter radius was necessary under only two circumstances: 1) where there is a need for heavy machinery access between existing roads requiring any cross country, or off road or trail travel [which in the case of the current project involves a 30 meter wide transect from an existing maintained or well-used road to the opening, sufficient to provide an inventoried corridor for the machinery], or 2) a 30-meter buffer around the boundary where the archeological site extends beyond the original 30-meter radius. It is not sufficient to just look at the immediate vicinity of the mine opening. Features and activity areas nearby that are associated with that mine’s operation must also be included. Where associated features or areas of mine activity extend beyond the 30-meter radius, they must be included, along with an additional 30-meter buffer around them. Dumps and/or spoil piles are usually considered to be part of the archeological site so the buffer should begin at the toe of the dump.

Site Definition The definition of an archeological site as used here follows the BLM definition (BLM 2002) with regard to materials proximity and association, and is considered by AMRP to be “an area of contiguous and associated features or artifact distributions.” This could include a single mine opening, a series of adjacent mine openings, or a larger area of surface modification that could be defined as a historic landscape or a historic district, (although) the official terminology of a “Historic District” or its subset, a “Historic Landscape” (is not) used unless the site has been nominated as such to the National Keeper.

Subsurface Remains The AMRP recognizes that some mines may contain underground remains such as tracks, ore cars, and machinery. Since safety issues prohibit consultants from entering abandoned mines, potential underground cultural resources need not be considered. However, the fact that subsurface remains may be present, and will likely remain entombed, can be discussed in the site recordation.

Site Assessment Categories

The mining properties assessed during this project were evaluated on the basis of cultural integrity, cultural sensitivity, and potential to yield additional data. A ranking system was developed which

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combined these factors in order to allow each mine to be assigned to one of four categories expressive of the site’s significance and sensitivity. Isolated features or finds, as described later, are by their very limited nature the least significant finds and are not eligible for the NRHP. The remaining categories represent archaeological sites that are here defined as Category 1, 2, or 3. The Category 1 sites are typically the least significant sites, while the Category 3 sites are usually the most significant. The category definitions are presented below.

Category 1 mines are characterized by sites of a very modest character. They typically include openings and perhaps prospects that possess few or no other additional cultural elements other than the opening itself and some limited waste, but more waste than allowed for with Isolated Features. These sites may include a small range of associated artifacts, but there are no additional features or structures. Most Category 1 sites could be closed with little impact to anything other than the actual mine openings themselves.

Category 2 mines are characterized by more extensive archaeological remains that typically consist of one or more openings associated with additional limited features, such as ore chutes, retaining walls, timber framing, or other mining related developments of a limited nature. These sites may possess a more extensive range of associated artifacts. These mines are typically eligible under Criterion A of the National Register of Historic Places and reclamation efforts pose some risk to the features associated with the mine openings.

Category 3 mines represent the most extensive type of property which might be identified in the Morrison Abandoned Mine Project. They include sites which posses more complex structural elements, such as associated buildings, extensive ore handling features, walls, timber bracing, or extensive quantities of related artifacts. These sites are likely eligible at least under Criteria A and D and have potential to yield additional information and may be suitable for interpretation. Closure activities would definitely have to accommodate adjacent cultural materials that might be impacted by rehabilitation efforts.

Mine Openings as Isolated Finds A single mine opening may be recorded as an Isolated Find rather than a site if associated cultural aspects are extremely limited. The following guidelines (are) used to determine if a feature can be recorded as an isolated find rather than a site:

1. Features present include an opening and an associated spoil pile, with little else. Minor prospects might be present.

2. The associated spoil pile must be smaller than 75 cubic meters or 98 cubic yards (as previously recorded by the mining engineers).

3. The mine opening cannot have had a popular name or a history of mineral production, though the claim name may be known.

4. No mining-associated features such as retaining walls, sorting piles, associated paths or roads, chiseled support holes, framed portals, rails, complex dumps, or windlass or head-frame debris can be present.

5. No structures or debris scatters such as cabin foundations, artifact dumps, domestic trash, or debris from blacksmith shops, boarding houses, offices, latrines or assay offices can be present.

6. An exception to Numbers 4 and 5 is that small amounts of nails, dimensional lumber or other artifacts such as tin cans or glass may be present.

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For the current project, small debris scatters within a 10 meter radius of the opening are considered minor and insufficient to qualify as an “artifact dump.” These scatters consist mostly of singualr or homogenous materials such as small glass shards, miscellaneous wood fragments and fewer than ten cans. Larger, more heterogeneous scatters, however, are considered dumps.

Regulatory Setting

The Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM) administers the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977 under the auspices of the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) through the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program (AMRP). The program was developed in order to reclaim land and water resources adversely affected by past coal mining and left abandoned or inadequately restored. Today the AMRP protects public heath and safety from hazards at abandoned mines and restores lands damaged by past, unregulated mining. The program is funded by a federal tax on coal produced in the state. OSM ensures that all Utah AMRP actions comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and other applicable federal laws. The AMRP program is managed in accordance with the Federal Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-102 and applicable state guidelines. Federal environmental and historic preservation laws apply both because the program draws on federal funds, and in the case of the Morrison Mine Project, because some of the subject sites are located on federally managed land.

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq) established a formal federal policy to preserve the natural environment, as well as historical and cultural aspects of national heritage when monies from federal agencies are used. Regulations for implementation of the act have been issued by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR Part 1502.16[g]). The regulations require that federal undertakings and federally funded state undertakings that have the potential to impact historic and cultural properties must make an assessment of the consequences of such actions. The intent of this legislation is to preserve cultural and archaeological sites, and to direct agencies into selecting alternatives that lessen unavoidable impacts, but not necessarily to prevent appropriate actions that entail adverse effects to cultural resources and sites. The regulations do require, however, that impacts be recognized and minimized or mitigated whenever possible.

Additional federal legislation governing the protection of historic properties includes the Antiquities Act of 1906, the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, the Archaeological and Historical Preservation Act of 1974, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, and the American Indian Religious Freedom act of 1978. Although NEPA is the broadest of the cultural resource authorities, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is the most specific of the cultural resource regulations, and provides guidelines to federal agencies, and State and private entities in regards to the appropriate treatment of historic properties affected by federally funded undertakings.

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (amended in 1992) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to “expand and maintain a National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) composed of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture” as well as all documentation, artifacts, and remains related to these properties (Title 1, Section 101 (a)). Properties meeting the requirements stated in the NHPA are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The determination of the significance and eligibility of historic properties is to take place in cooperation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, who also consults with federal agencies in the mitigation of impacts to NRHP properties and to “advise and assist in the evaluation of proposals for rehabilitation projects that may qualify for Federal assistance” (NHPA 1966 Title 1, Section

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101, paragraph 8). Implementing regulations for Section 106 have been promulgated by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and are codified at 36 CFR 800.

Determinations of eligibility are made on the basis of standards recommended by the National Park Service for evaluating properties for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) pursuant to the requirements of 36 CFR part 63 and 36 CFR 800.4(c). The NRHP criteria are established as the appropriate standards for determining the significance of archaeological sites for compliance with the requirements of the Section 106 process (36 CFR 800.4[c]). The significance assessments for the sites examined for the Morrison Abandoned Mines Project are presented below. The criteria used follow the published guidelines, and the appropriate criteria for each site recommended as eligible are noted.

“The quality of significance in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association and:

(a) that are associated with events that have made a contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or

(b) that are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or

(c) that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or

(d) that have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.” (36 CFR 60.4)

Historic mining properties constitute a unique type of archaeological site that is distinct from many of the other kinds of historic sites that are typically the topic of identification and assessment actions pursuant to the NHPA. Historic mining locations are typically comprised of multiple mine openings which may be relatively widely scattered and yet interrelated. The surface manifestations frequently represent only a small visible indicator of what may be much more extensive underground workings. Yet for the purposes of Section 106 matters, only the surface manifestations of mining related activities are usually considered when making determinations of eligibility. The extent, condition, and nature of underground workings can not usually be considered due to the dangers and difficulties of accessing abandoned mine properties for the purposes of documenting and studying them.

Mining properties are subject to a wide range of impacts that can alter their appearance and impact integrity. These include abandonment, exposure to harsh environmental conditions, vandalism, and historic salvage operations, all of which can affect mining properties and often result in sites that are composed of rather modest manifestations which only partially reflect the original character of the site. Common examples of these impacts include collapse of buildings and mine openings, removal and salvage of equipment and machinery, and salvage of railroad and ore car tracks. It is important therefore to recognize that the NRHP eligibility criteria allow consideration and acceptance of significant and distinguishable entities whose components may lack individual distinction.

The National Register Bulletin How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation (Shrimpton 2002) makes the following specifications regarding each of the National Register Criteria:

A. “Mere association with historic events or trends is not enough, in and of itself, to qualify under Criterion A–the property’s specific association must be considered important as well. Often, a comparative framework is necessary to determine if a site is considered an important example of an event or pattern of events” (Shrimpton 2002:Section IV).

The historic context developed for mining in the Morrison Mines region demonstrates that the mining and other cultural resources in and around Sterling generally were 1) part of a historic trend important

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to the establishment, growth, and eventual decline of the region; and 2) part of a trend of strategic mineral extraction in the 1880s through 1930s that played an important role in regional economic developments. Whether or not specific sites consisting of a single mine or a cluster of mines are strongly associated with those trends and are important examples of them, and whether or not they maintain sufficient integrity to convey historic significance, are the measures used in our evaluations of each site.

B. “In order to qualify under Criterion B, the persons associated with the property must be individually significant within a historic context......the individual associated with the property must have made some specific important contribution to history.” (Shrimpton 2002:Section IV).

Sites with direct association to one or more individuals important within a local, state or national historic context, and that specifically are illustrative of why the individuals are considered important, are the evaluative measures for this criterion. Further, the site integrity must be of such that it still portrays the basic physical characteristics that were present during the individual’s life.

C. “To be eligible under Criterion C, a property must meet at least one of the following requirements: the property must embody distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, represent the work of a master, possess high artistic value, or represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. (These) requirements should be viewed within the context of the intent of Criterion C; that is, to distinguish those properties that are significant as representatives of the human expression of culture or technology (especially architecture, artistic value, landscape architecture, and engineering).” (Shrimpton 2002:Section IV).

Properties associated with the current project are directly or indirectly related to the technology of mineral extraction. Architecture and engineering related features are clearly the technological expressions most appropriately considered relative to the distinctiveness of these sites. For the most part these consist of head frames above openings, and/or associated mining-related facilities whose integrity is still intact.

D. “Criterion D requires that a property ‘has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.’ Most properties listed under Criterion D are archeological sites and districts, although extant structures and buildings may be significant for their information potential under this criterion. To qualify under Criterion D, a property must meet two basic requirements: The property must have, or have had, information that can contribute to our understanding of human history of any time period; (and) the information must be considered important.” (Shrimpton 2002:Section IV).

The Morrison mining or mining-related sites are variable relative to the time and effort put into their excavation, associated facilities construction, and use. Some are little more than minimal prospecting efforts of very short duration. Others involve considerably more effort and are more likely to have contributed to the economic impetus of mining in the region. Generally the smaller, limited effort sites–at least individually–are unlikely to have information important and contributory to an understanding of human history. The larger effort sites, on the other hand, may contribute additional important information on area mining history, either through more thorough examination of the physical remains of those sites, or through additional research related to the mines and mining efforts associated with the sites.

Integrity of the Morrison Mine Reclamation Project Sites

The boom and bust nature of the Morrison area mining history has resulted in a relatively intact integrity for most of the project area sites. Specifically, post-boom reclamation has been minimal throughout the area, with the exception of the obvious demolition and de-construction of some of the larger sites. As a result, all of the sites documented here maintain integrity of location and setting, feeling and association. Only a few sites retain complete integrity of materials, workmanship, and design. The smaller

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sites, typically consisting of one or two openings, are more likely to retain such integrity simply because a good share of these are in hard to access locations.

Environment

The project area is primarily located in Sixmile Canyon, approximately 2.5 miles east of Sterling, Utah. The portals and mine related features are located on the southeastern side of the canyon, with the exception of the lower portion of the Sterling Tunnel, which crosses onto the northwest side of the canyon. Site elevations vary from ca. 5920-6440 ft. The project area is predominately a pinyon-juniper environment although in the canyon bottom it is riparian. Other species, in addition to pinyon and juniper, include oak brush, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and various grasses. The steep canyon slopes provide a primary colluvial deposition.

Historic Context

The town of Morrison was a small, 1890s-era coal mining settlement located two to three miles east of Sterling, Utah. Coal was first discovered in the Sterling area in 1888. Indications that coal might be present in Sixmile Canyon were originally obtained from Tabinaw, an Indian living in the Sanpete area, who told miners living in the town of Wales, Utah about “burning rocks” in the canyon (Cox 1973). In 1887, Harrison Edwards, Edmund Edmunds, Henry Thomas, John E. Reece and others discovered the Sterling Coal Beds (Marx et al. 1947). The first mine in Sixmile Canyon was the Edmunds Mine (location unknown), established by Edmund Edmunds. Other miners also located additional coal beds and dug what came to be known as the Morrison mines, in reference to the town of Morrison. According to Antrei and Roberts (1999:137) the mines were first worked in 1888. The mines were never patented, and no legal claim notices or affidavits of labor were identified during a search of the records at the Recorder’s Office in Manti, Utah. It does appear that the largest workings, here identified as the Morrison Mine, were originally known as the Thomas Mine, which was sold to the Sterling Coal and Coke Company (SCC) in 1894 (Manti Messenger [MM] 1894:npn). Over time, all the individual mine workings along Sixmile Canyon were purchased by SCC, and were generally called the Morrison Mines in deference to the town of Morrison.

When first opened, the coal fields at Sterling promised to “become the most valuable beds of fuel in central Utah” (Lever 1898:573). Lever (1898:573) notes that “a single horse whim was used in lifting the coal, and a score or more of miners were kept busy in extracting fuel.” In 1894, the Sterling Coal and Coke Company, consisting mainly of individuals associated with the Sanpete Valley Railroad, was organized. The extent of the coal workings at Morrison encouraged H.S. Kerr, Superintendent of the Sanpete Valley Railroad, to construct a rail spur that extended from Manti, through Sterling, into Sixmile Canyon, [with its terminus “called Morrison” (Lever 1898:573) ending at the mouth of the Morrison Mine] (Doelling 1972; Cox 1973). It was originally laid as a single-track, narrow-gauge line, but in 1896 was converted to a standard gauge line in order to haul larger shipments of coal for the Sterling Coal and Coke Company (Cox 1973).

Morrison coal miners encountered several major difficulties which made it challenging for the mines to be cost-effective. First, the coal was very soft and broke easily, which decreased its value. Secondly, the coal deposits were cut and offset by severe faults, meaning tha deposits could not be relocated on the other side of the fault fractures and limiting the extent of the coal resources. In order to counteract these difficulties during the period of peak production, mining operations were carried out with the most modern equipment available to the miners at that time. “Modern screening and loading equipment was installed under the direction of Mr. Kerr [and] the mine operation drove an adit 2000’ southward from Sixmile

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Canyon” (Cox 1973). The use of modern equipment was not the only additional means used to increase production. In 1898, the local newspaper interviewed Mr. Kerr to address local concerns regarding the “importing of Japanese labor for the Morrison coal mine” (MM, 1898:npn). Mr. Kerr replied that it was impossible to get enough qualified local men “to do the underground work in the mines, and that it was absolutely necessary to get these Japanese who are employed by that company . . . as all American miners they could get here are employed” (MM 1898:npn). At one point, as many as 200 men were employed by the mines at Morrison (MM, 1926:npn).

The same faults that offset the coal beds also allowed “vast” amounts of water to flood the mine, making work not only difficult, but also dangerous (Antrei and Roberts 1999). “The intensive mining soon exhausted the coal above water and special steam equipment was installed to remove water so coal mining could be carried on” (Cox 1973). Unfortunately, the equipment could not remove the significant amount of water flowing in the mines, and a drainage tunnel (Sterling Tunnel) was dug below the mining adits in order to remove the water from the Sterling coal bed and regain safe access to the mines (Doelling 1972).

Most historical accounts (Richardson 1906; Doelling 1972; Marx 1947) state that the tunnel was constructed in 1902. However, several articles in the Manti Messenger provide more accurate information about the period of construction and metamorphosis of the Sterling Tunnel. The SCC obtained the right to construct a tunnel through the coal lands in 1896 to drain water which was partially flooding the mines (MM 1897:npn; MM 9 February 1901:npn). By 1897, the tunnel was 700 feet long, and permission was given by the company president for it to be extended an additional 1,500 feet, although it was expected that the coal beds would actually be intersected prior to the end of the tunneling (MM, 1897:npn). In a court case brought by the Gunnison Irrigation Company (GIC) against the SCC, GIS claimed that as the tunnel was being dug in 1898 and 1899, it intercepted several springs which fed Sixmile Creek, significantly diminishing creek flow and causing harm to GIS by reducing water available for irrigation. SCC countered by stating that “a tunnel 2100 feet has been driven (and) that water has come into it by percolation, not by any springs” (MM, 9 February 1901:npn). Furthermore, SCC argued that “in the summer of 1898, owners of land irrigated from Six Mile Creek finding out that water was percolating into that creek from the said tunnel complained that said water was injurious and so polluted as to endanger the lives of persons using the water, threatening to have the alleged nuisance abated and the officers of the Sterling Coal and Coke Company arrested” (MM, 9 February 1901:npn). This argument seems to indicate that water from the Sterling Tunnel was flowing out of the tunnel entrance and downslope into Sixmile Creek. Given the complaints of land owners referenced above, it seems to follow that the SCC would have ensured that water from the tunnel would be diverted away from Sixmile Creek and into a hand-dug ditch that leads to the remains of an aqueduct that crosses over the creek and which originally led to a ditch that ran north of Sterling and directly into Funk’s Lake, now Palisade Lake (Orval Skousen, personal communication 2012; David Cox, personal communication 2012). Rights to water flowing out of the Sterling Tunnel were later sold to the Manti Irrigation and Reservoir Company (MIRC), together with associated water-storage rights, which provided additional revenue to the mine operators. The MIRC also bought the water-storage rights to the lake, and dug an irrigation ditch in order to convey the water to nearby agricultural fields and to Manti (Antrei and Roberts 1999).

By some accounts, the water was drained from the mine by way of an 18-inch steel pipe buried in the floor of the Sterling Tunnel (Richardson 1906). Other accounts suggest that the water was free-flowing, although it was often partially blocked by collapsing rock in the tunnel (Manti Messenger 1934), until 1964, when a 22-inch pipe was installed (Cox 1973, Jennings 1964; David Cox, personal communication 2012). In 1964, Ray Cox and Reynolds Lyman were hired by the Manti Irrigation and Reservoir Company to re-timber the tunnel, as water yields had significantly decreased from the time of its original construction (David Cox, personal communication 2012; Cox 1973). Records from that activity

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indicate that “the drainage tunnel met with the (Morrison) mine tunnel about 1800 feet from the mouth of the tunnel. Another mining adit, the Dugan’s mine, met at that point also, coming from the opposite direction. The drainage tunnel went about 1500 feet beyond that point, with the plan of tunneling through to Emery County” (Figure 2) (Cox 1973:4, 6). The tunnel intersected two additional coal beds, but they were too small to be economically viable, and were not worked. Although the location of the Dugan’s mine adit is unknown, the tunnel plan suggests that it might be the Funk Canyon Mine, which is located in approximately the same direction indicated on Figure 2.

As coal production waned, the Sanpete Valley Railroad spur line became too expensive to maintain. In 1907, the town of Morrison was abandoned and the spur was removed. Other local men spent considerable time and money in an effort to resurrect the mine, but their efforts were unsuccessful and all the Morrison area mines were finally closed in 1935 (Antrei and Roberts 1999; Doelling 1972). However, the water draining from the Sterling coal bed through the Sterling Tunnel proved to be a valuable source of dependable water for irrigation and recreation. Even though the coal mines were eventually shut down, the Sterling Tunnel has continued to be maintained in order to provide access to the coal bed water source (Doelling 1972).

The Funk Canyon mine (42SP258) was described in 1992 as “a small coal mine with two portals (both caved), a coal refuse dump, and a small cabin” (Rohrer 1992:1) which probably dated to the later part of the Sterling area mining period (1888 to 1935). No Notice of Claim Location or annual affidavits of labor for the mine could be identified during a legal records search at the county recorder’s office. In 1992, it was reported that the mine might have been a ventilation breakout from the Sterling Tunnel and might have been physically or operationally connected to the nearby Morrison Mines/Sterling Tunnel (42SP232) workings (Rohrer 1992).

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Figure 2. Schematic drawing of the Sterling Drainage Tunnel and associated mine adits. Drawn by L. Cox, 1973.

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Project History

The 1991 DOGM Salina Project (AMR/041/901) evaluated several mines in the vicinity of the current project that were slated for reclamation work, including closure of portals, burial of coal refuse, demolition of structures, clean-up of debris, and re-vegetation work. That report (Malin 1991) requested concurrence of USHPO that Site 42JB232 be considered Not Eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); that concurrence was issued in August of 1991. Thereafter, the opening of the Sterling Tunnel was secured with a corrugated metal arch/culvert and steel grate with a locked door. Additional sites were added to the Salina project, which continued into the spring of 1992 (Rohrer 1992). At that time, several additional mines were evaluated for reclamation, including the Funk Canyon Mine, which was assessed and also recommended to be Not Eligible for the NRHP. As a result, at the Funk Canyon Mine, one of two portals was closed, as the other was already caved in. The main waste coal depositions at the site were left in place.

Methods

The present assessment was carried out under the direction of Richard Talbot, OPA Director, under authority of State of Utah Project Number U-12-BC-0298p and Utah Principal Investigator Permit No. 67. Richard Talbot, Lane Richens, Sara Stauffer, and Deborah Harris conducted the assessment of the abandoned mine workings. Field conditions, including ground visibility, were good for the duration of the evaluation. Historic research was conducted by Deborah Harris, MA, RPA. Computer graphics, maps, and GIS support for report production were provided Scott Ure and Haylie Ferguson. Deborah Harris was responsible for technical editing of the manuscript and final document preparation.

Each of the subject mines was located in the field using data provided by URS, including GPS coordinates and very generalized descriptive information. The field documentation work involved driving or hiking directly to the mine opening(s). Generally, most mines were situated in close proximity to a passable road. Topography was generally dominated by moderate slopes and a few steeper mountain sides or canyons. OPA visited all the sites within the Morrison Mine Reclamation Project area to document the extant condition of the site features and to make a final assessment of the site areas prior to proposed reclamation of the remaining mine features and debris.

Once the site was located, field crews conducted an intensive examination of the area surrounding the mine to identify any additional related cultural features or artifacts. A minimum of a 30 meter buffer zone around each defined site boundary was examined. The area between sites and their associated buffer zones was considered to be out of the project area and was not examined. Accordingly, no systematic survey was conducted outside the boundaries of the defined sites previously identified by DOGM. For the current work, OPA returned to the sites to document the extant condition of the site features and to make final assessments prior to proposed reclamation of remaining mine features and debris. In the field, individual mine openings were relocated on the basis of map plots and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates provided by URS/DOGM. During the actual survey those coordinates were checked using Trimble Geo XT receivers, and corrected when necessary. Each site was evaluated, and the standard Intermountain Antiquities Computer System (IMACS) site form was either updated or newly recorded. At every site, notes were taken on the condition of each feature, including Global Positioning System (GPS) generated location data, site sketch maps, and digital photography. Site locations were plotted on 7.5 minute series USGS maps using both GPS data and information provided by URS. Site boundaries and

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features were also mapped using a sub-meter Trimble GPS XT, as far as adequate satellite coverage was available.

Survey Results

Morrison Mine

Site No.: 42SP232

Site Type: Coal Mine

Site Description: The Morrison Mine site (Figure 3) is an abandoned coal mine located on the west edge of the Wasatch Plateau, in a side canyon situated south of and above Sixmile Canyon. At this site, we revisited each of the previously recorded features and updated their condition description/assessment. In previous recordings of 42SP232 (1983 and 1990), the Sterling Tunnel was included as part of the site. However, during this revisit, it was determined that the tunnel should be considered an element separate from the Morrison Mine. Therefore, in this update, the Sterling Tunnel is removed from site 24SP232 and is recorded separately below (42SP794).

The Morrison Mine site is circa 175 by 90 meters in size, covers approximately 2.26 acres, and consists of extensive coal slack deposits and a 3-4 meter (10-13 feet) wide road (and probable abandoned track way) that runs across the top of the coal slack and up the north side of the side canyon for more than 40 meters (131 feet). A possible collapsed adit location was identified on the east side of the site. A large depression is located east of and slightly upslope of the two constructed mine features on the site, which include an “H” shaped stone and mortar foundation for a hoist, and a buried rock foundation that once supported a brick building. Except for a brick scatter in the area of the foundation artifacts on the site are generally sparse and dispersed. They include glass fragments, metal fragments, a rail spike, ore track, sheet metal, a ceramic fragment, nails, metal straps/rings, tin cans, a muffler, and two large 2 ½ by 2 ½ foot rectangular steel plates.

Coal refuse dump – This is an extensive pile of coal slack below the possible adit and is 10 meters high and circa 30 by 30 meters in size. A second pile to the north is circa 30 by 30 meters and is spread down the slope of the small side canyon below the mine features. It has been left in place since the site was originally recorded (Figure 4).

Adit – It appears that a single collapsed adit was located during the original assessment and site recording but its location is unknown. During the current reassessment of the site we found a possible location for this feature on the slope above the coal slack deposit (Figure 5). Since it is filled in, or at least covered over by rock and dirt, it can be identified only as a possible location. No other open or closed adits on the site are known.

The following features were identified during the current project survey and are newly documented here.

Rock foundation wall – A 20 by 20 foot square rock foundation that once supported a brick structure is located on the north side of the site (Figure 6). Only the low foundation walls on the west and south are partially exposed although the south wall is the more obvious, at ca. 1 to 1 ½ feet high. A brick scatter of about 100 bricks is present on the soil overlying the foundation and extending to the north.

Rock and mortar feature – Immediately south of the rock foundation wall is an “H”-shaped rock and mortar feature measuring 15 by 10 feet with walls 3 feet thick by 3 feet high (Figure 7). It is

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Figure 3. Overview of upper site area, Site 42SP232 (Morrison Mine), looking northwest. Lane Richens and Rich Talbot for scale.

Figure 4. Coal refuse dump in the upper site area of Site 42SP232, looking south. Rich Talbot in distance for scale.

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Figure 5. Collapsed adit in Site 42SP232, facing southeast.

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Figure 6. Rock foundation wall measuring 20 feet by 20 feet in Site 42SP232, looking southeast.

Figure 7. H-shaped stone foundation in Site 42SP232, looking north.

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constructed of large shaped stones set in lime mortar that are 2-3 feet long and 1 foot thick. Five pairs of long steel rods that are threaded on the ends, extend vertically every three feet on both sides of the structure. The center wall has two pair of vertical steel rods and a large, short, drilled metal bar that extends out of the rock between the rods on one side. This feature appears to be some kind of foundation for a large, heavy piece of mining machinery that was fastened to the top of it.

Depression – On the end of the sloping ridge above the above mentioned constructed features is a large depression that is circa 10 feet in diameter and at least 2 feet deep (Figure 8). The function of this feature is unknown.

NRHP Assessment: The Morrison Mine site (42SP232) was reassessed by OPA according to current standards for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility. As mentioned, the 1991 recording recommended the site as Not Eligible for the NRHP, with which SHPO concurred. Our reassessment found that several features at the site were not previously documented and those structural features have the potential for additional study that could contribute additional information to the site history and function. As a consequence we recommend that the site is Eligible for the NRHP. Specifically the recommendation is as follows:

National Register Assessment: Eligible. The mine still possesses integrity of general location, as well as at least some level of integrity of design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, or association. Significantly, the original opening(s) have now been reclaimed and are no longer visible. NRHP Criteria A-D are applicable as follows:

Figure 8. Depression on ridge above H-shaped foundation in Site 42SP232, looking west. Lane Richens in background for scale.

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Criterion A. The Morrison Mine/Sterling Tunnel mine is one of hundreds in the region, and there are no indications that the mine is significantly associated with specific events that were significantly contributory to local/regional history. Therefore, it is Not Eligible under Criterion A.

Criterion B. The mine has not been found to be associated with the lives of individuals important to local or regional history. The site is Not Eligible under Criterion B.

Criterion C. The mine clearly lacks distinctive characteristics of human expression in culture or technology relative to type, period, construction, artistic value, or otherwise. It is Not Eligible under Criterion C.

Criterion D. The previously undocumented features, including the extant rock/brick structure, the H-shaped structure on the site, and the Sterling Tunnel together have the potential to contribute new insights into the general history of mining in the region, particularly in regards to the development and demise of the soft coal mining industry in the Sanpete Valley region as well as in Utah. Therefore, the site is recommended as Eligible under Criterion D.

Funk Canyon Mine

Site No.: 42SP258

Site Type: Coal Mine

Description: The Funk Canyon Mine (Figure 9) covers an area of ca. 1.9 acres (82 x 44 m) in Funk Canyon. As mentioned previously, this mine most likely intersects the Sterling Tunnel, and is probably the “Dugan’s Adit” referred to in the Sterling Tunnel schematic produced as a result of the 1964 re-timbering of the tunnel (Figure 2). We revisited each of the previously recorded features and updated their condition description/assessment. In addition, we recorded a previously undocumented stacked rock retaining wall. The results of the feature update effort are presented below. Artifacts are generally sparse and consist of a few tin cans, sheet metal, glass, utility cans, metal pipe, wood planks, a large fuel tank, a shell button, cable fragments, window glass, an ore car track, rail spikes, and gas tanks.

HO1 - This is a closed adit that is marked by an erosional slump in the steep slope (Figure 10). This opening was closed during the Salina Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project in 1992 when the site was originally recorded. (Although the feature is now closed, it was identified as HO1 in the original site recording. This designation is retained here for the purpose of consistency.)

HO2 – This is a 60 foot long, 4 foot deep and 8 foot wide trench lined with boulders and rocks (Figure 11). There is no indication that a portal was ever excavated.

Powder Magazine – This is a probable powder magazine or storage feature, and clearly is too small to be a dugout as originally described in the 1991 recording (Figure 12). There is a metal ring on the door frame indicating that the door could be padlocked, suggesting that it was a powder magazine. It measures 6 by 3 feet on the interior, and is made of stacked railroad ties with a partially collapsed wood plank gable roof. The doorway is 1 ½ by 1 ½ feet in size.

Platforms - Two platforms are present on the site (Figure 13). One is directly in front of HC-1 that is 20 by 15 feet in size with a low rock foundation wall 8 feet. long and 1 foot high. Associated artifacts include wood planks, metal fragments, piece of track, and a spike. The other platform is in front of the powder magazine and is 30 by 30 feet in size. Lots of wood planks, window glass, and a piece of sheet metal with a hole in it that fits a stove pipe associated with the platform suggest that a structure may have been present on this platform area at one time.

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Figure 9. Overview of the Funk Canyon Mine, Site 24SP258, looking northeast.

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Figure 10. HO1, now a closed adit in Site 42SP258, looking east-northeast. Lane Richens for scale.

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Figure 11. Hillside trench cut and possible collapsed adit HO2 in Site 42SP258, looking east. Rich Talbot for scale.

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Figure 12. Powder magazine feature in Site 42SP258, looking southeast. Rich Talbot for scale.

Figure 13. Platform associated with powder magazine in Site 42SP258. Artifacts suggest that a structure may have been present on this platform area at one time. Rich Talbot for scale.

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Figure 14. Mine waste extends down a drainage on the northwest side of Site 42SP258, looking west.

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Figure 15. Rock retaining wall located in the western half of Site 42SP258, looking east-southeast.

Coal Deposit - A fairly large coal slack/waste deposit covers most of site area (Figure 14).

Retaining Wall - A partially buried rock wall (Figure 15), constructed to contain a coal slack deposit, extends across most of the front of the site along the edge of the coal slack.

NRHP Assessment: The Funk Canyon Mine (42SP258) was reassessed by OPA according to current standards for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility. As mentioned, the 1991 recording recommended the site as Not Eligible for the NRHP, with which SHPO concurred. We recommend that the site is still Not Eligible for the NRHP. Specifically the recommendation is as follows:

National Register Assessment: Not Eligible. The mine still possesses integrity of general location, integrity of design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. Significantly, the original opening(s) have now been reclaimed and are no longer visible. NRHP Criteria A-D are applicable as follows:

Criterion A. There are no indications that the mine is significantly associated with specific events that were contributory to local/regional history. Therefore, it is Not Eligible under Criterion A.

Criterion B. The mine has not been found to be associated with the lives of individuals important to local or regional history. The site is Not Eligible under Criterion B.

Criterion C. The mine clearly lacks distinctive characteristics of human expression in culture or technology relative to type, period, construction, artistic value, or otherwise. It is Not Eligible under Criterion C.

Criterion D. The site is fairly small and there are no features at the site that are likely to offer any new insights into the general history of mining in the region. Specifically, the powder magazine is small and its function is sufficiently described here. The remaining features are all ephemeral and none of

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the features could provide any additional information of significance to local or regional history through further research. Therefore the site is Not Eligible under Criterion D.

Jensen Mine

Site No.: 42SP793

Site Type: Coal Mine

Description: The Jensen Mine covers an area of circa 0.7 acres in Sixmile Canyon (Figure 16). This site was not previously recorded. It consists of a large coal slack deposit and some associated mine features as described below. Artifacts are sparse and consist of wood debris, iron stove parts, glass fragments, and a few tin cans.

HO1 – This is a circa 3 foot high by maximum 6 foot wide adit cut into the sandstone deposits on a north-facing slope. The opening slopes slightly downward before leveling out about six feet inside the adit opening. The adit narrows to just under four feet wide where it becomes level. Four framing timbers with notched ends lie inside the adit, as does a circa 2 by 6 inch milled board. Directly in front of the opening is a leveled area that measures circa 6 by 8 feet in size (Figure 17).

Road and Retaining Wall – This is a circa 9 foot wide road (or track way) that was cut across the steep slope (Figure 18). On the downhill side below the road is a circa 200 foot long, 1-2 foot high stacked boulder supporting wall.

HC1 and HC2 – Two depressions associated with exposed boulders on the steep slope most likely mark the probable locations of two collapsed adits. The upper, or western depression (HC1) is 15 ft. in diameter and the lower eastern one (HC2) is ca. 20 by 15 feet.

Platform – A leveled area is present near the canyon bottom, on the slope below and to the northeast of the collapsed adits (Figure 19). It is circa 70 by 30 feet in size with a stack of rocks forming a short retaining wall present on the uphill south side of the platform that shores up the slope above the platform. At the base of the slope below the platform there is a 6 foot long section of stacked boulders 1 to 1 ½ feet high that shores up the slope below the platform.

NRHP Assessment: The Jensen Mine (42SP793) was recorded by OPA during the current project according to current standards for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility. We recommend that the site is Not Eligible for the NRHP. Specifically the recommendation is as follows:

National Register Assessment: Not Eligible. The mine possesses integrity of general location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, or association. Significantly, the original opening(s) have now been reclaimed and are no longer visible. NRHP Criteria A-D are applicable as follows:

Criterion A. There are no indications that the mine is significantly associated with specific events that were contributory to local/regional history. Therefore, it is Not Eligible under Criterion A.

Criterion B. The mine has not been found to be associated with the lives of individuals important to local or regional history. The site is Not Eligible under Criterion B.

Criterion C. The mine clearly lacks distinctive characteristics of human expression in culture or technology relative to type, period, construction, artistic value, or otherwise. It is Not Eligible under Criterion C.

Criterion D. The mine as it currently exists, with one open and two closed adits, is little more than waste piles and the rather unrevealing features described above. Further research at the site is unlikely to

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Figure 16. Overview of the Jensen Mine, Site 42SP793, looking south-southeast.

Figure 17. View of HO1 in Site 42SP793, looking south.

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Figure 18. Retaining wall and road or track way in Site 24SP793, looking northeast.

Figure 19. Platform area near the canyon bottom and below the collapsed adits at Site 42SP793, looking east. Lane Richens and Rich Talbot for scale.

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offer any new insights into the general history of mining in the county or in the region. Therefore it is Not Eligible under Criterion D.

Sterling Tunnel

Site No.: 42SP794

Site Type: Coal Bed Drainage Tunnel

Description: The site consists of the Sterling Tunnel (referred to previously in the site form for 42SP232 as the Sterling mine) built to drain water out of the deeply buried Sterling coal bed that was being mined by the Morrison mines. The history of the tunnel has been described above. In brief, the first two stages of the tunnel were constructed between 1897 and 1899, and consisted of a more than 2,100 foot long tunnel blasted into the country rock containing a free-running stream that originally flowed into Sixmile Creek, but was later diverted over the creek and into a canal leading to Funk’s (now Palisade) Lake due to concerns about the quality of the water. By 1934, many of the old timbers and material from the ceiling had dropped into the tunnel, damming much of the water flow. At that time, the obstructions were partially cleared and an 18-inch buried pipeline was installed near the entrance of the tunnel. Re-timbering of the tunnel was completed in 1964, and schematics developed from that project show that the tunnel extended more than 3,000 feet into the mountain. A 22-inch corrugated pipeline was installed during the re-timbering process, and water from the Sterling Tunnel is now conveyed via a buried pipeline directly from the tunnel to Palisade Lake. The Sterling Tunnel is only visible at its modern gated opening, which is located in the canyon bottom on the west side of Sixmile Canyon Road (Figure 20).

Sterling Tunnel -- The tunnel extends from the east side of Sixmile Canyon into the mountains in a southeasterly direction. Historic accounts state that the tunnel was 8 feet. wide by 7 feet. high and extended ca. 1800 - 2000 feet into the mountain (Doelling 1972), where it intersected the Morrison Mine and Dugan’s (Funk Canyon?) adits. The modern tunnel entrance consists of a partially buried eight foot diameter corrugated culvert that runs underneath Sixmile Canyon Road. The culvert was secured with a corrugated metal arch and steel grate with a locked door installed in 1991 as part of the Salina Project (AMR/041/901). At that time, approximately 876 cubic yards of coal refuse was buried and regraded in the area north of the Sterling Tunnel and ditch (see below). Some of the coal is still evident on the surface in piles near a newer house, and may have been excavated during the house construction. The historic tunnel entrance is located ca. 40 feet behind the locked gate, underneath Sixmile Canyon Road. It is framed by wooden log posts. Only the first 8-10 feet of the tunnel remains open, and the remainder has collapsed (David Cox, personal communication 2012).

Ditch and Metal Aqueduct – Approximately 650 feet north of the Sterling Tunnel opening is a partially collapsed wood trestle and metal aqueduct (Figure 21) that appears to be part of the early 1900s diversion system used to convey water from the tunnel over Sixmile Creek to a ditch running on the other side of the creek. This ditch and aqueduct system was created because the local landowners did not want the “contaminated mine water” from the tunnel running into Sixmile Creek. An unlined 2-3 foot deep, 3-4 foot wide, earthen ditch carried the water from the tunnel opening to the aqueduct (not to be confused with a cement lined diversion ditch that also passed in front of the tunnel but is a much later feature not associated with the tunnel). The ground directly in front of the tunnel has been leveled due to previous reclamation work so the ditch is not visible there, but it is first visible ca. 80 feet to the northwest of the tunnel. It continues to the northeast for ca. 525 feet, and then turns to the north, where it previously connected with the metal aqueduct. It appears that this ditch/aqueduct system was abandoned in 1934. Historic records indicate that a 22-inch drainage pipe was placed in the mine around 1964 to carry the water to a ditch located further down the canyon and which transported it directly into Palisade (formerly Funk’s) Lake. The 22-inch pipe was replaced with the existing pipeline in 2001 (Figure 22).

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Figure 20. Opening of the Sterling Tunnel in Site 42SP794, looking south. Lane Richens for scale.

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Figure 21. Remnant drainage aqueduct from Sterling Tunnel in Site 42SP794, looking east.

Figure 22. Sterling Tunnel drainage pipe located south of original aqueduct feature in Site 42SP794 looking north. Top pipe is an older conduit (1964) while bottom pipe is recent (2001) replacement. Lane Richens for scale.

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NRHP Assessment: The Sterling Tunnel (42SP794) was recorded by OPA during the current project according to current standards for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility. We recommend that the site is Eligible for the NRHP. Specifically the recommendation is as follows:

National Register Assessment: Eligible. The tunnel still possesses integrity of general location, as well as at least some level of integrity of design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, or association. Significantly, the original opening has been closed and gated by a large culvert, which itself is mostly covered by Sixmile Canyon road. NRHP Criteria A-D are applicable as follows:

Criterion A. The Sterling Tunnel was constructed for the specific use of draining fault-controlled water from the Sterling coal bed, and there are no indications that the mine is significantly associated with specific events that were significantly contributory to local/regional history. Therefore, it is Not Eligible under Criterion A.

Criterion B. The tunnel has not been found to be associated with the lives of individuals important to local or regional history. The site is Not Eligible under Criterion B.

Criterion C. The tunnel lacks distinctive characteristics of human expression in culture or technology relative to type, period, construction, artistic value, or otherwise. It is Not Eligible under Criterion C.

Criterion D. The Sterling Tunnel has the potential to contribute new insights into the general history of mining and the development of irrigation and water retention systems in the region, particularly in regards to the development and demise of the soft coal mining industry in the Sanpete Valley region as well as in Utah. The site also provides important information in respect to methods of water hazard engineering, and the economics associated with the development of water from a mine hazard into an enduring agricultural resource. Therefore, the site is recommended as Eligible under Criterion D.

Summary

The Morrison Mine and Sterling Tunnel were recorded as one site (42SP232) by DOGM personnel in 1983 and 1991. In these previous recordings, the Sterling Tunnel was included as part of the site. However, during this revisit, it was determined that the tunnel should be considered an element separate from the Morrison Mine and is recorded separately as a new site (see below). The structural features at the Morrison Mine (now Site 42SP232 by itself), however, were not recorded during any of those previous efforts. Thus, even though the site was originally recommended as Not Eligible for the NRHP, the results of the current reassessment show that the Morrison Mine was not adequately assessed, and we feel that the site does qualify for eligibility as Eligible for the NRHP. Any work carried out by DOGM at the site, therefore, should take into account this revised eligibility and consider protection or other mitigative measures for the structural features.

At the Funk Canyon Mine (42SP258) the previous site recording recommended it as Not Eligible for the NRHP, with which SHPO concurred. Our reassessment of the site does not change that recommendation, with which we concur. One or two open portals were apparently closed at this site in 1992 as part of the 1991/1992 Salina (AMR/041/901) Reclamation Project. The Jensen Mine (42SP793) is a newly recorded site that had two collapsed/closed adits in addition to one open horizontal adit. In the opinion of OPA, the site no longer contains sufficient research potential to qualify as eligible for the NRHP.

The Sterling Tunnel (42SP794) is newly recorded here as a separate site. OPA recommends that the site qualifies as Eligible for the NRHP as the tunnel and its associated ditch/aqueduct system provide

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important information with respect to methods of water hazard engineering, and the economics associated with the development of fault-controlled water from a mine hazard into an enduring agricultural resource. Following the 1991 re-recording of Site 42SP232 (which at that time included the Sterling Tunnel) some reclamation work was performed there as part of the AMR/041/901 project. Reclamation activities included securing the Sterling Tunnel with a corrugated metal arch and steel grate with locked door. The work also included the re-grading and burial of approximately 876 cubic yards of coal refuse in the area north of the Sterling Tunnel. It does appear that the previous reclamation efforts disturbed a small section of the historic ditch recorded here as part of the site. Further work at the tunnel should take into account the site NRHP eligibility and consider protection or other mitigative measures for the remaining portions of this ditch/aqueduct system.

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References Cited

Cox, Loralie1973 Morrison. Unpublished research paper.

Antrei, Albert C.T. and Allen D. Roberts1999 A History of Sanpete County. Utah Centennial County Series. Sanpete County Commission,

Manti, Utah and Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Doelling, H.H.1972 Central Utah Coal Fields: Monograph Series No. 3, Sevier-Sanpete, Wasatch Plateau, Book

Cliffs and Emery. Utah State Geological Survey, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Jennings, Bruce1964 Water Flowing at Sanpete Mine, Deseret News and Telegram, Tuesday, February 25, 1964, Salt

Lake City, Utah.

Malin, L.1991 106 Cultural Clearance for the Salina Project AMR/041/901/L, July 26, 1991. State of Utah

Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. Salt Lake City, Utah.

Manti Messenger1894 The Sterling Coke and Coal Company1897 To Build the Tunnel: Good News from President Bruback in London1898 Local and Other News1901 Big Water Suit: Gunnison Irrigation Company vs Sterling Coal and Coke Co., 9 February, npn1926 Large Coal Vein Penetrated in Six Mile Canyon1934 New Source of Water Found in Old Mine, Number 421934 Mayor Discusses Vital Problems

Marx, Edna, Ellen Nielsen, Rose Mciff, and Aileen Larsen1947 “Sterling” in These Our Fathers: A Centennial History of Sanpete County. 1849 to 1947.

Arranged and published by Daughters of Utah Pioneers of Sanpete County, Utah. Art City Publishing Company, Springville, Utah.

Richardson, G.B.1906 Coal in Sanpete County, Utah. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin No. 285, pp. 280–285. Department

of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.

Rohrer, J.C.1992 Salina Project AMR/041/901/L: Effect Determinations for Additional Sites. State of Utah

Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. Salt Lake City, Utah.

Scow, Ernest J.1980 Shareholder, Manti Reservoir Irrigation Company, Manti, interviewed by Ruth D. Scow, 4

December 1980. In Antrei and Roberts, 1999, p. 154.

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Shrimpton, Rebecca H.2002 How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. National Register Bulletin, U.S.

Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington, D.C. Original Document, Patrick W. Adams, 1990, Revised for Internet 2002. Electronic document accessed April 2012, http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/publications/bulletins/nrb15/.