Centennial-Eureka
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Centennial-Eureka Mining Company
(The focus of this page is the surface workings of the Centennial-Eureka mine, as visible in photographs, as well as a general description of the mine, with minimal coverage of the geology and financial returns. Also to establish a timeline using sources not previously readily available.)
Notes taken from "Faith, Hope, & Prosperity: The Tintic Mining District," by Philip F. Notarianni, published in 1982.
Together with the Eureka Hill and Bullion Beck, the Blue Rock (later the Centennial-Eureka) and the Gemini (old Keystone), both producers by 1886, were labeled the "Big Four" and insured Eureka's growth . The Blue Rock, consisting of several claims in the Eureka Hill area, was located in 1872 and sold by Packard. The Centennial-Eureka company began in September 1884 when J. D. Kendall commenced work. (page 19)
The Centennial-Eureka company began in September 1884 when J. D. Kendall commenced work. The Centennial-Eureka was originally known as the Blue Rock. The Centennial-Eureka began shipping in 1886 and undertook notable improvements in 1888. Construction consisted of a shaft house, measuring 48 by 72 feet; a boarding house, 20 by 60 feet; a bunk house, 20 by 30 feet; and a tack house, 16 by 30 feet. In addition the shaft reached a depth of 300 feet, and a one-mile pipeline was installed for water. Thirty-two miners were employed.
The Centennial-Eureka, which had begun shipping in 1886, undertook its own improvements in 1888. Construction consisted of a shaft house, measuring 48 by 72 feet; boarding house, 20 by 60 feet; bunk house, 20 by 30 feet; and tack house, 16 by 30 feet. In addition the shaft reached a depth of 300 feet, and a one-mile pipeline was installed for water. (page 27)
New hoists and improved surface plants were erected in 1892. Improvements included new boarding and lodging houses, ore bins, and a new house and frame structure for the hoisting machinery. A double-cylinder engine powered the hoist, and the cable reels, equipped with ample brakes, were operated by Clawson clutches for the optimum in weight support.
Highlighting the year 1900 was the sale of the Centennial-Eureka to the United States Smelting, Refining and Mining Company. A further decrease occurred in 1902, as the Centennial-Eureka suspended shipments, primarily to allow United States Smelting and Refining to complete its Midvale smelter. (page 84)
The Centennial-Eureka moved ahead in 1910 with work on its mine. The shaft plunged to 2200 feet and a tunnel driven in 2160 feet, connected with the shaft at the 500-foot level. Thus, the Holden Tunnel, as it was named, replaced the aerial tramway that had been used earlier to transport ore to the railroad facilities. At the mouth of the tunnel towered a power plant. (page 88)
The Centennial-Eureka was one of the "deep" mines that hit water as they continued downward extracting the ore. According to the USGS 1919 Professional Paper 107, the water level in the Centennial Eureka was at a depth of 2,036 feet (altitude about 4,851 feet). The other Tintic mines reached permanent water at similar depths:
- Centennial Eureka at the 2,036 level (altitude about 4,851 feet)
- Gemini, at the 1,650-foot level (altitude 4,813 feet)
- Opex, at a depth of 2,170 feet (altitude 4,791 feet)
- Grand Central, at a depth of 2,390 feet (altitude 4,759 feet)
- Chief Consolidated, at a depth of 1,815 feet (altitude 4,755 feet)
- The Mammoth mine, 2,362 feet deep (altitude 4,690 feet), has not reached permanent water level.
- In addition, the water in the Tintic mines averages 100 degree F, and is very caustic.
November 5, 1885
"Articles of incorporation of the Centennial-Eureka Mining Company were filed in the office of the County Clerk yesterday." Organizers were W. W. Chisholm (secretary-treasurer; 11,250 shares; three-eighths interest), Jacob E. Bamberger (vice president; 7,500 shares; one-fourth interest), James F. Woodman (7,500 shares; one-fourth interest), Charles W. Bennett (president; 1,875 shares; one-sixteenth interest), and Moses Kirkpatrick (1,875 shares; one-sixteenth interest), all of Salt Lake City, Utah, accounting for the full number of the total of 30,000 shares to be issued. Property embraced included all of the Blue Rock claim, all of the Centennial-Eureka claim, and an undivided half-interest in the Eureka No. 5 claim. (Salt Lake Herald, November 6, 1885)
December 8, 1887
The Centennial Eureka replaced its "compound whim" with a steam hoist. "Work on the new hoisting works at this Tintic property is being rushed as fast as possible. From present indications, however, it will be two months, and probably more, before the work of sinking on the main shaft is again commenced." (Salt Lake Herald, December 8, 1887; December 11, 1887)
September 2, 1888
During the last week of August 1888, "Centennial Eureka sent in 100 tons of various grades of ore, going from 100 to 470 ounces silver to the ton, and averaging about one ounce of gold. The entire shipment represented between $16,000 and $18,000. It is now said they will be in the market regularly hereafter." During November 1888, the mine shipped 179 tons of ore, or about five carloads. (Salt Lake Herald, September 2, 1888; December 16, 1888)
December 25, 1889
The output for the year 1889 was 1,742,000 pounds, or 871 tons (about 24 carloads). The main shaft is down 450 feet, and there are three other shafts, one of which has reached a depth of 100 feet, one 75 feet and the other 68 feet. There are 3,400 feet of levels and drifts; and 500 feet of stopes and winzes. The water supply is pumped 5,000 feet through a two-inch pipe, raising 410 feet in that distance. The mine is well equipped for work and employs about thirty-fire men." (Salt Lake Herald, December 25, 1889)
October 4, 1890
The following comes from the October 4, 1890 issue of the Salt Lake Tribune.
This property comprises the following claims: No. Five Eureka, Blue Rock, Centennial-Eureka, Kendall, W. W. C., a portion of Silver Gem, Lookout, Summit, Morton and Harrison.
The main shaft is now down 532 feet. The first 200 feet is in a single compartment, but double below that depth. It will be made a double compartment throughout next winter, when it is designed to put in a large double drum engine on hoisting works. There are three working levels, the second, third and fourth. Each of them is 600 to 800 feet long.
The formation is lime, and, like all other mines in Tintic, is entirely free from water. Even the water used in the boiler is furnished by the waterworks located at Homansville, and which supply the town of Eureka. They are owned by the Centennial and Bullion-Beck companies. This freedom from water makes an immense saving in working expenses. An incandescent electric light plant will be installed very soon.
The mine employees about fifty men, the ore shipments for September being 465 tons, assaying an average of $125 silver, $20 gold and 10 per cent lead. Single cars have been much more valuable than this. While this is very high grade ore it is only the average quality mined in the Centennial. Mr. Chisholm showed the reporter returns from one carload of ore which sold for $15,731.91. The ore is sampled at the Conklin works and sold in the open market. The mine is owned by W. W. Chisholm, J. F. Woodman and the Bambergers.
February 6, 1891
The Centennial Eureka mine was shipping ore that was valued as much as $20,000 per ton. (Salt Lake Tribune, February 6, 1891)
(The company was paying regular dividends but since October production was being held back. Due to the low price of silver, ore was being knocked down and stockpiled within the mine, in drifts as long as 150 feet. By late February 1891, over 800 tons of ore was ready for shipment.)
October 2, 1892
"The Centennial-Eureka presents an active scene now, the work of putting in the new hoisting machinery rapidly approaching completion. The hoist will be one of the best in the United States." (Salt Lake Herald, October 2, 1892)
November 6, 1892
"It is expected that an increased force will soon be put on the Centennial-Eureka, the new hoisting machinery running very satisfactorily." (Salt Lake Herald, November 6, 1892)
In March 1896, shipments from the Centennial-Eureka stopped while a four-month purchase option went into affect, with the promise to pay $100 per share, or $3 million, by an "Eastern" capitalist. The option expired on July 3rd, without the option being exercised due to conditions in the money markets in the East. Ore shipments resumed immediately after the option expired. At the time, the par value of the company stock was $50, but was regularly being traded for $54, and as high as $69 per share. Monthly dividends were $2 per share. (Salt Lake Tribune, March 4, 1896; July 11, 1896)
July 5, 1897
"The Centennial-Eureka. -- Early History of This Great Wealth Producer. -- The Centennial-Eureka lode was located June 2, 1876, by N. P. Lake. Lake will be remembered as the first deputy recorder under Tintic’s first recorder. S. B. Moore, in 1870. He left the district after giving up the deputy recordership, and remained away for several years, returning in 1876. Almost immediately after his return he located the Centennial-Eureka, and soon afterward sold the property to W. W. Chisholm, J. F. Woodman and others. They commenced development work at once, and continued for several years without any particular encouragement. The property was incorporated in 1885, with the stock held principally by W. W. Chisholm, J. F. Woodman and J. D. Kendall. Ore was struck at a depth of several hundred feet, and was an adequate reward for the faithful prospectors who had persevered in spite of all discouragements and the advice and sometimes the ridicule of many old and successful men of Tintic. The ore as originally struck was followed up clear to the surface, showing that they had only missed finding their bonanza at the grass roots." (Salt Lake Herald, July 5, 1897)
February 2, 1898
"At present, said Mr. Chisholm, the policy of the management is to ship only such ores as are necessary to meet the needs of the expense account. In the meantime the various levels to a depth of nearly 1600 feet are being extended and the ore bodies are reported looking in first class shape." (Salt Lake Tribune, February 2, 1898)
Centennial Eureka Sold to United States Smelting (1899)
August 1, 1899
The United States Mining Company purchased the Centennial-Eureka Mining Company for $70 per share, or $2.1 million for all 30,000 shares of the company. A total of 22,000 shares were placed in escrow, pending the final payment, due on January 1, 1900. The sale had been negotiated by Jacob Bamberger, who had "departed for the east several months ago" "to work up a deal for the sale of the mine." The U. S. company took an option to purchase on June 7, 1899, and immediately sent a representative to examine the property. The shareholders of the Centennial-Eureka company met on August 24th and approved the sale and proposed amendment to the articles of incorporation that would allow the company to buy and sell mines and mining claims, and to dispose of mines, mining claims and mining properties upon two-thirds vote of the shareholders. At the time of the sale, Chisholm held 9,700 shares, and Woodman held 8,000 shares. Both would sell their shares at $70 per share, with a payout of $697,000 and $560,000, respectively. At the time of the sale, the Centennial-Eureka property encompassed 30 separate mining claims, including the original Centennial-Eureka claim. The original Centennial-Eureka claim was located in 1876, and was given its name for that reason. (Salt Lake Herald, August 2, 1899, "yesterday")
The company was reorganized in 1899, in Maine, and from then controlled by the United States Smelting Refining & Mining company by ownership of 99.8 percent of the Centennial-Eureka stock.
October 9, 1899
"It is the intention of the new company to make some extensive improvements around the workings and it is positively given out that a tramway will be built from the mine to the railroad tracks at the foot of the mountain." (Deseret News, October 9, 1899)
October 14, 1899
"While a number of improvements are contemplated at the Centennial, the more important at this time is the construction of a tramway similar to that on the Highland Boy, with which to convey the ores from the mine to the railway. The contract for this has been awarded Jones & Jacobs of this city, and with the tramway in operation, no difficulty will be experienced in doubling the output, which has been averaging about 800 tons a month." (Salt Lake Tribune, October 14, 1899)
December 6, 1899
The old Centennial-Eureka Mining Company of Utah, passed to the new Centennial-Eureka Mining Company of Maine on December 6, 1899. The directors of the old company met on December 6th to sign-over the deed that conveyed the old company to the new company. (Salt Lake Herald, December 7, 1899, "yesterday")
"The Centennial Eureka was one of the few mines in the State whose stock sold steadily for more than par. In 1896 it had the deepest shaft in the State — 1535 feet. Work there began on September 12, 1884, with J. D. Kendall in charge. Mr. Kendall continued until August 1, 1896, when Mr. C. E. Allen (at that time Congressman from Utah, and later general manager for the U.S.S.R.& M.), became manager. Captain J. T. Woodman was president of the company with J. E. Bamberger, vice president, and W. W. Chisholm, director." (Ax-I-Dent-Ax, Volume 16, Number 5, 1931, "Early Mining and Smelting South of Salt Lake City")
The Centennial-Eureka company property embraced the Centennial-Eureka group, and after 1906 the Tintic, Dove, Swan and Pelican groups, all within the Tintic Mining District. In 1911, the Centennial -Eureka was the largest gold producer in Utah.
"The property of the Centennial Eureka Mining Co., controlled by the United States Smelting & Refining Co., comprises a number of consolidated claims aggregating 230 acres on the steep slopes of the ridge about a mile southwest of the town of Eureka. The shaft is about 600 feet above Eureka Creek, on the north slope of the ridge. The workings extend south underneath the narrow backbone of the ridge and connect in this direction with the Opex mine and in the deepest levels with the Grand Central mine. Toward the north the property is bordered by the Eureka Hill ground, and connections with this mine are established in t he levels of middle depth." "The mine was first opened in 1876 but has been more actively worked since 1886. It has been the most productive property in the district and is distinguished by large and continuous ore bodies rather than by high-grade ore. The principal metals produced are gold, silver, and .copper, and the value of the total output is about evenly divided between the three metals." (USGS Professional Paper 107, "Geology And Ore Deposits Of The Tintic Mining District, Utah," 1919, page 197)
In 1899 the Centennial-Eureka company added an aerial tramway to connect the mine with new ore loading bins at the railroad level, on the south side of the town of Eureka.
1900
The Centennial-Eureka was the largest shipper in Tintic in 1900, shipping 1,633 car loads consisting of 40,825 tons of gold, silver, copper, and lead ores, an average of 25 tons per car, with an average value of $53 per ton. (Salt Lake Mining Review, December 1900)
1902
"Centennial-Eureka Mining Co. -- Primarily a gold and silver mine but securing considerable copper. Has steam and electric power and concentrator; employs about 200 men." (The Copper Handbook, Volume III, 1902, page 246)
March 15, 1902
"The shaft at the Centennial Eureka Mine has been re-timbered from the 1600 foot level to the collar. The mine is now in condition to resume shipments. It is not yet announced when operations will be resumed at the mine. When the United States smelter is ready to receive the ores, this mine and the mines of Bingham will be capable of supplying the full capacity of the smelter. It is confidently estimated that there are ten millions of dollars' worth of ore blocked out in the Centennial Eureka." (Boston Evening Transcript, March 15, 1902)
1902
"United States Mining Co. -- The Tintic group includes the Centennial-Eureka and Tintic mines. Control of the Centennial-Eureka is held through ownership of all but about 100 shares of the capital stock. The Centennial-Eureka has been a large dividend payer in the past. The Tintic properties are old and deep mines, having been opened to about 1,500' depth. The ore is found in two grades, the oxides and carbonates carrying high values in gold and silver and ranging from $10 to $30 per ton in value, with upwards of 150,000 tons developed. The low-grade deposits are of enormous extent but carry only small gold and silver values. In December, 1902, the Centennial-Eureka was opening what is apparently a large body of high-grade ore, giving average assays of 5 percent copper, $6 gold and 40 to 50 oz. silver per ton. The various mines of the United States Co. have about 2,000,000 tons of ore blocked out for stoping, of which about 90 percent is low grade. The mines are equipped with steam and electric power." (The Copper Handbook, Volume III, 1902, page 528)
1907
"Production was circa 80,000 tons of ore in 1907; circa 112,000 tons in 1908, and 109,430 tons in 1909. Production of fine copper is estimated at 4,500,000 lbs. for 1909." (The Copper Handbook, 1911, page 577-578)
September 15, 1909
Work began on the construction of the Holden Tunnel for the Centennial-Eureka company. (Deseret News, September 18, 1909)
October 2, 1909
"Arrangements have been completed for the driving of a tunnel from the road west of Eureka to the 550-foot level of the Centennial-Eureka. The tunnel will be 3000 ft. long and double tracked throughout and with electric haulage. The tunnel will save the company $15,000 a year in hoisting." (Engineering and Mining Journal, Volume 88, October 2, 1909, page 704)
March 6, 1910
"The new Holden tunnel, which taps the shaft of the Centennial-Eureka mine at the depth of 500 feet, has been completed. The tunnel will effect a large saving, both in hoisting ore and pumping water from the mine and in freighting supplies up the hill." (Salt Lake Herald, March 6, 1910)
April 23, 1910
"The Centennial-Eureka company suspended ore mining, April 9, to permit a chamber and sump being cut for the new electric pumping plant which is being installed on the 2250 level. It will be necessary to bail out the water in the shaft from the 2100 level down to the 2250. This will be done with bailers, and as it is impossible to handle the water and waste from the pump chamber and run the mine at the same time the working force will be put on development while the installation is in progress. Two sets of pumps made by Sulzer Bros., Winterthur, Switzerland, and having a capacity of 500 gal. each, will be used. Each set has a five-stage and an eight-stage centrifugal pump coupled in series, and will be driven by a General Electric 400-h.p. motor. It is figured that not over 125 gal. per min. will be pumped now, so that one pump will be held in reserve. A power house is being built at the mine. Arrangements have also been made with the Knight companies to furnish power." (Engineering and Mining Journal, Volume 89, April 23, 1910, page 885)
April 30, 1910
"Work is being done in the tunnel connecting with the shaft at the 535-ft. level. Arrangements for carrying off the water have been completed, and the tracks are being laid. The power plant which is being erected at the mouth of the tunnel is being built rapidly. Work of mining ore was suspended on April 10 until the new electric pumping plant is installed." (Engineering and Mining Journal, Volume 89, April 30, 1910, page 938)
May 4, 1910
"In Utah, this company [United States Smelting Refining & Mining] has made its greatest profit from the Centennial-Eureka mine at Tintic. Recently this property has been closed down, while pumps were being installed to draw water from the lower levels and run it out through the Holden Tunnel. This work is completed and now the mine is forwarding over 2000 tons of ore each week to the plant at West Jordan." (Salt Lake Telegram, May 4, 1910)
May 21, 1910
"Centennial-Eureka -- Hoisting ore was resumed May 5. After the installation of the electric pump on the 2200-ft. level, the ore output has been gradually increased up to the normal production of 300 tons per day." (Engineering and Mining Journal, Volume 89, May 21, 1910, page 1086)
July 30, 1910
"Within the next two weeks the electric power will be connected up with the pumps and machinery at the Holden Tunnel of the Centennial Eureka property. The pumps are in two units of 500 gallons a minute each and are capable of handling 1,500,000 gallons of water every 24 hours. The power plant which has been built at the mouth of the Holden Tunnel will shortly be ready to turn on the electricity. This will be used on the pumps to lift the water from the 2,200-foot level of the mine to the tunnel, which is a distance of 1,650 feet. By use of the tunnel 550 feet is cut off in raising the ore, so that it does not need to go to the collar of the shaft." (Deseret News, July 30, 1910)
September 21, 1910
"It is considered most likely that the Centennial Eureka, a subsidiary company of the United States Smelting Refining & Mining Co., is negotiating for an option on the Grand Central. The Centennial-Eureka bounds the Central on the west and northwest, and is credited with having unearthed a considerable supply of ore recently in the south end of its estate. It is not improbable that the Centennial has traced into Grand Central ground the oreshoot that was thought by many to bear west of south into the Opex." (Copper Curb and Mining Outlook, Volume 6, September 21, 1910, page 22)
September 24, 1910
"The aerial tramway at the Centennial-Eureka mine is not being used, as ore is handled through the Holden tunnel, which cuts the shaft near the 500-ft. level. Timber, coal and supplies are sent in through the tunnel. The new electrical pumping equipment on the 2200 level has been tried." (Engineering and Mining Journal, Volume 90, September 24, 1910, page 621)
October 29, 1910
"Centennial-Eureka -- The offices have been moved from the shaft to the mouth of the Holden tunnel, which taps the shaft at a depth of 550 ft. Oct. 8 the miners began using this tunnel in going to and from work, this saves the trip up the hill, which in the winter is a hard one. About 300 men are employed." (Engineering and Mining Journal, Volume 90, October 29, 1910, page 881)
February 4, 1911
A three-page article about the Centennial-Eureka mine and its new Holden Tunnel. (Engineering and Mining Journal, Volume 91, February 4, 1911, page 266-268, with three photos)
May 26, 1911
"Tramway Sent to Arizona -- The large ore house, which is located at the lower end of the old Centennial Eureka tramway, is being torn down this week. Now that the output from this mine is being handled through the Holden Tunnel this building is not needed. The big gravity tramway, which for so many years carried ore from the Centennial Eureka shaft house to the railroad, a distance of about 4000 feet, has been shipped to one of the properties of the United States Company at Kingman, Arizona." (Eureka Reporter, May 26, 1911)
1916
The Centennial Eureka owned 86 percent of the stock of the Bullion Beck and Champion Mining company. (Poor's Manual of Industrials, Volume 7, 1916, page 1237)
Centennial Eureka Operations Suspended (1921)
April 8, 1921
"The closing of the copper smelters of the state has resulted in the suspension of operations at the Centennial Eureka, one of the best known Tintic mining properties, and along with it the Bullion Beck, the latter being one of Eureka's oldest mines. These mines are now owned by the United States Smelting & Mining company and while this corporation owns and operates a smelter in this state it has no furnaces for the treatment of copper ore and copper is a big factor at the Centennial Eureka." (Eureka Reporter, April 8, 1921)
1925
"This mine, at the peak of its production which probably covered a period of not less than twelve years, shipped a total of four hundred tons of ore daily, working six days a week for several years. Before that the output was around three hundred tons daily with operations continuing throughout the seven days of the week. Then there was another much later period, of about six or seven years, during which time an effort was made to hold shipments of ore up to 250 tons per day which tonnage gradually feathered out until operations were practically suspended in 1925." (Eureka Reporter, April 17, 1930)
From the Eureka Reporter, January 2, 1925.
During the week an order came from the United States Mining company officials to close the Centennial Eureka and Bullion Beck mines in which there has been but very little work going on for several months. The order has been expected for some time and consequently it was no surprise to the few employees left on the company's pay roll.
The Centennial Eureka, for twenty or more years the Tintic District's largest property and with a record of heavy production extending over a period of almost twice that number of years, has for some time been slowly slipping into the discard. The owners of the property, during its more prosperous days, never made any effort to extend their boundary lines and the small tract of mineral land embraced in the Centennial Eureka, while more productive of high grade ore than any similar piece of ground in the district, has at last been quite thoroughly worked out. Of course there is considerable virgin territory and at some future time the mine may again be opened but this will probably not happen until it changes hands or until there are ore developments in some of the neighboring properties.
As an explanation of their action in closing the mine on the first of the new year the officials of the United States Mining company say that with the present machinery it is impossible to carry on a limited amount of work without incurring a rather heavy expense. If they decide to reopen the mine at some future time they will undoubtedly put in a small electrically operated hoisting plant that could be operated for a fraction of what is now being spent on the old steam hoist.
The cost of operating the large hoist is said to be around $1800 each month, this including the operation of the pumping plant that lifts the water from Homansville to the mine.
The ore deposits in the Centennial Eureka appear to have been some what different than those in other Tintic mines, coming between well defined walls which made it possible to mine the ore more thoroughly and to leave little in the way of stringers and bunches, hence the leasing system which was tried out after the company's operations ceased never brought in much new ore. Many people familiar with the property and the methods of mining that were used during its more prosperous periods say that the failure of lessees to find anything of importance simply brings to mind the fact that Supt. John Enlund performed wonderfully efficient work, mining ore bodies so thoroughly that there was nothing for lessees to do but carry on a system of gleaning around the old stopes.
Mr. Enlund has been offered other positions with the United States people one of which he will likely accept in the spring, but owing to a recent operation he feels that he should rest for a few months at least.
John Uren, who has served the Centennial Eureka as foreman for so many years, will perhaps go to one of the other United States Co. mines, but he expects to remain here for the balance of the winter. Byron Thurmond, who has been with the mine for twenty six years and being master mechanic during the greater part of the time, has been offered an important position with one of the Bingham mines controlled by the same interests. He will no doubt accept, leaving his family in Eureka for the remainder of the winter. Ben Thurmond, who has the longest record of employment at the Centennial Eureka mine, will continue with the company, for the present as watchman. Mr. Thurmond is an engineer and one of the most capable men who has ever taken hold of the levers controlling a large mining hoist. He went to the Centennial Eureka thirty-five years ago, when a mere boy, and advancements came rapidly as a result of his close attention to duty. Within two years he was one of the company's most valuable engineers and for thirty three years he has operated the large hoisting engine. The best part of it is that he will retire from the job with a clean record, never having had an accident of any kind and having lost but few shifts. The United Stales Mining company is a big concern, with a whole string of mines in various parts of the country, but it is quite safe to say that the corporation has no other employee with a record that will equal that of Ben Thurmond.
W. K. Horning, office man at the local United States properties, came to Eureka from the Salt Lake office of the company and he expects to remain in Tintic and engage in leasing. He is a mining engineer and should fit nicely into the leasing game.
Centennial Eureka Surface Facilities Dismantled (1926)
March 26, 1926
"The United States Mining company has for some time had a force of men at work tearing down buildings near the portal of the Holden Tunnel, which leads to the shaft of the Centennial Eureka mine. Practically all of the surface improvements are being removed. The brick from the large power house have been purchased by R. L. Conyers and James Morgan and will be used in the construction of buildings on upper Main street." (Eureka Reporter, March 26, 1926)
(In early January 1928, the steel frame of the hoist house at the mine, and the steel frame of the power house at the mouth of the Holden tunnel, along with the steel wire rope used as part of the hoist, were all dismantled and loaded into railroad cars as scrap metal. The metal from the hoist house alone filled 15 railroad cars. Several specialized castings were sold for their scrap value to the May Foundry in Salt Lake City to be melted down as reused in other castings. -- Eureka Reporter, January 6, 1928)
(In late July 1928, the property of the Centennial-Eureka above the level of the Holden tunnel was in the hands of leasers. The U. S. company was contemplating reentering the levels below the tunnel level to begin extracting ore to be used a fluxing ore in their Midvale smelter. -- Eureka Reporter, July 27, 1928)
(Read more about the Centennial Eureka mine after 1929, as part of the USSR&M properties in Tintic)
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