Bingham Side Canyons

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This page was last updated on August 27, 2024.

Overview

In its description of the West Mountain Mining District in 1880, the 10th U. S. Census Report included the following about the side canyons that were part of the larger Bingham Canyon.

"Bingham Canyon, the principal one, and containing most of the mines, runs east and west for a few miles, then turns south and follows the trend of the range, with forks and side canyons extending nearly to its summit. On the north the canyon has the following branches: Freeman's Gulch, Markham's Gulch and Carr Fork and on the south Bear and Porcupine gulches. Carr Fork has as branches Cottonwood Fork and Sap Gulch on the north and Ross, Muddy, and Log forks on the south. Joining Butterfield Canyon on the north are Yosemite and Blackjack gulches." (Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 7, p.90, citing D. B. Huntley in the 10th U. S. Census, taken in 1880)

Carr Fork

The name of Carr Fork for the name of the major branch of Bingham Canyon comes from the earliest days of placer mining, and was used as early as November 1864:

November 26, 1864
"Notice is hereby given to all persons owning interests in Bingham Canon, that a meeting will be held at Messrs Miller, Heaton & Co.'s mills, at the junction of Carr Fork, On Friday, Dec. 16th 1864, for the purpose of revising the By-Laws of West Mountain Mining District, and electing a resident of Canon for Recorder." "/signed/ M. S. Stickney, Deputy Recorder" (Union Vedette, November 26, 1864)

The communities in Carr Fork included Utah-Apex and Highland Boy.

Carr Fork was crossed at its confluence with the main Bingham canyon by a high and long curved railroad bridge.

Dry Fork

Dry Fork was lower in the main canyon and in later years was the site of the large Dry Fork shop built by Kennecott Copper. It also had a large curved railroad bridge at its upper end.

Freeman's or Freeman Gulch

The popular history of the name of Freeman's Gulch changed over the years. Marion Dunn wrote in his book (page 11) "in the early days three Freeman brothers were killed in a cave-in." This is the only history of the name published so far.

Online newspaper research finds a similar story from May 1870 that is likely the tragic basis for the name of the gulch...

May 14, 1870
"Two men, named Charles A. Freeman and James Leicester, were killed by a land-slide in Bingham kanyon, on Tuesday [May 10th]. They were working a ground sluice at the time on the side of the mountain, and the water had loosened a large quantity of earth, which buried them in the slide. Leicester was lately from Montana. Freeman has a wife and family near Elgin, Ill., and has worked in the kanyon for the last five years." (Ogden Junction, May 14, 1870)

Markham Fork or Markham Gulch

Like Carr Fork, the name of Markham Fork (later Markham Gulch) comes from the early days of lumber-cutting and placer mining in Bingham. All the early miners knew where it was, and like Carr Fork, it became simply a point of reference for new or important discoveries from the early 1870s onward.

The name Markham predates 1863 and the era of Archibald Gardner when the West Mountain Mining District was formed. A man named Markham may have been a regular visitor in Bingham Canyon for the purpose of cutting lumber before mining started. The Markham name has been suggested as a reference to Stephen Markham who was company leader among the very first company of 147 pioneers to enter Salt Lake Valley in July 1847, as well as being one of the pioneer settlers of the south part of Utah Valley. However, none of the biographical information for Stephen Markham mentions any time spent in Bingham Canyon.

June 1871
The earliest newspaper reference is June 1871 when the Deseret News reported that Jefferson Howell made discoveries of gold and silver in "Markham Canyon." (Deseret News, June 28, 1871)

September 1871
In September 1871, Thomas Warren filed his silver-bearing "George Washington" lode claim (2000 feet by 100 feet) "two miles from the confluence of Markham Fork with Bingham Canyon creek." (Salt Lake Daily Review, September 6, 1871)

Throughout September and October 1871 there were numerous references to claims being filed in "Markham Fork."

October 13, 1871
The "Markham Gulch" name was first in newspapers in October 1871. (Salt Lake Daily Review, October 13, 1871)

March 1874
The March 14, 1874 issue of the Salt Lake Tribune made reference to the Force & Garrett gold placer claim at the mouth of Markham Gulch.

Markham Gulch is likley most famous for the spectaular railroad bridge that crossed the gulch, and the numerous homes below that had been added over the many years.

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