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Show CENTENNIAL I 96- - I 99f) Celebrating more than 90 years of service to the citizens of Eureka. Volume Ninety-On- EUREKA. UTAH e - Number 40 Price $.40 October 4. i 996 Eureka! Mining the past by Dennis Romboy Deseret News staff Fl)RF.KA..Thc silence that hangs over this old mining town gives the mind plenty of time to wander and imagine, not unlike Cornish miners who listened for the Tommy Knockers deep within the earth. tagend has it that miners from ling land believed they could hear cries of (hose killed working in the dank shafts. The knock, knock, knock of a Tommy Knocker's tiny pick echoed a warning of danger The Hobble Creek Hoy Scouts or America District gateway is shown above at the recently completed Jamhoral in Fillmore. Also arc many of the hoys and leaders from Springtide and Maplcton and their camps in the background. They were part of nearly 29,000 hoys and leaders from the south to the southern hoarder of Utah and some cities in Nevada and Arizona which comprise the Utah National Parks Council of the Hoy Scouts of America. About 400 Imivs and leaders attended the event front Ilohhic Creek District. All branches of Scouting were welcome to attend including Cub Scouts. The Jamhoral was billed as the largest gathering of Scouts in America this year. Speakers at the three day event included President Cordon H. Hinckley of the I.DS Church and (iovernor Mike tauvitt who also brought the National (iuard 23rd Army Hand. Activities included and large midway in the center of the encampment for games, exhibits and an large enclosed stage and lights for the many programs and entertainment. 1'hc Hoy Scouts were able to earn several pins and a coin as part of celebration honoring 100 years of statehood for Utah. Most of Yuba to remain dosed until improvements are completed Until permanent improvement can be constructed, all of Yuba Reservoir, excepting for the deswill ignated camping areas, remain closed. Lynn Fergus, representing llic BLM and Pat Jerome. Recreation Officer with the Utah State Division of Parks and Recreation, met with Juab County Commissioners to report on future plans for the area. Funds have also been appropriated for the beginning of the improvements ($1S0.(XNJ). said Fergus. Congressman Jim Hansen was told that it would take 5850,000 to make all the changes necessary. Fergus stated that money will continue to be appropriated. "We wanted to give you an update on the status of Yuba ing take and what was happen- there.'' he said. Commissioners were asked to keep (he ban on camping in any but designated areas in lorcc for the time being. Comm. Young said. "We had in mind (hat we would open the area and remove the ban at the earliest possible lime." Fergus said the closure was still necessary. Sheriff David Carter added that he would like (he commissioners to continue with the closure of the undcsig-nate- d camping areas.. in order to area under control. the keep "I came here to thank you." said Jerome. "I know closing the beaches except for designated camping was not a popular decision and I want to commend you three for your determination and fortitude." said Jerome. Utah, he said, would face more closures if environmental concerns were not faced. The beaches had needed the recovery time, as well, he said. "We do need to open some launch areas in the future along (lie beach, " said Jerome. Fergus said the National Guard had been requested to build the road to he located above high water. Still, said Fergus, plans were being made in case of flooding. "They will put down a plastic webbing which will hold (lie gravel in place," lie said. The project will he finished by No- - Yuba (cont. on pg. 2) in the mine. Fortunately, the modern-da- y stillness in Eureka isn't as ceric. Remnants of Die past, like the four massive headframes perched over old mines on the outskirts of town, recall a tune of booming prosperity. Although not as famous as the Comstock Lode in Nevada or the Mother Lode District in Calaveras County. Calif., the Tintic Mining District was a significant player in (he U.S. mining industry. Metals.. gold, silver, copper, lead. zinc.. mined in Tintic amount to $4.2 billion in today's dollars, ranking the district as the producer in the nation. Sonic of Utah's wealthiest residents made (heir fortunes in Tintic. And if one stops and listens, (he sounds of a slight revival in the previously dormant mines and communities (hat make up the district can he heard. Lureka's future might be unearthed from its past. Two mining companies are gearing up for a shot at another mother lode or rich vein of gold or silver or lead. At least three Main Street buildings.. most businesses on (he street haven't seen the light of day for years.. are undergoing renovations. Several new homes are under construction. The town is tucked in cedar-covere- d hills on tlw Juab-Uta- h line along a desolate county stretch of ll.S. ft, about 70 miles southwest of Salt take City. Streets such as taadvillc and Last Chance are haphazardly laid out along old wagon (rails, rail lines and mining claims. Signs at both ends of town tell motorists that it's "Utah's friendliest town on America's loneliest highway." Indeed, there's not much between lliird-highc- st Delta and Santaquin, Die largest Lurcka. cities Dial book-en- d "Actually, we're not as isolated as people seem to think." said former police chief. Joseph Bernini. who now serves as a Juab County commissioner. Most of the town's 8(H) residents arc retired. Those who work full time commute to Utah Valley or Tooele or Delta. "There arc no jobs here to speak of. This mining is on again, off again." Bernini said. Hole in the ground Lurcka was counting on tourism to perk up the town. Hut now. likely fewer people will get a chance to find out historic Lurcka is "more than just a hole in the ground." as a sign on the road out of town says. Though Lurcka is only 20 miles off the Utah Department of Transportation apparently thinks that's too far from Utah's main thoroughfare. UDOT recently removed Die brown freeway signs pointing to (he Historic Tintic Mining District. In addition. A UDOT official also told resident Colccn McNulty that there was nothing for visitors to see once they got to Eureka. McNulty begs to differ. "It was important enough to he on the National Historic Register," she said. The signs' removal is especially disheartening for McNulty and her husband. June, as Gov. Mike taavitt promotes history and knowing your city as part of Utah's centennial. The McNultys. who helped organize and are longtime members of the Tintic Historical Society, initiated a petition to have the markers returned. The McNultys are almost always available to unlock the door to the mining district's past. Their name and telephone number top a list of key keepers taped to the door of the old Union Pacific Railroad depot that now serves as a museum. Visitors simply must cross the street to the Texaco station and call them from the pay phone. The depot and adjacent former City Hall arc stocked with mining artifacts and photos and leftovers from a largely forgotten, hardscrabble way of life. There's an Eureka (cont. on pg. 2) |