September 3 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Park City Museum will host a lecture called Historical Park City Mining 101 given by Donovan Symonds on Wednesday September 3, 2025 from 5-6 p.m. held at the Education and Collections Center located at 2079 Sidewinder Drive. More information can be found at www.parkcityhistory.org.
Mining in Park City began in the early 1870s and continued for over a century. The numerous stories, facts, and mine names like Ontario, Silver King, Daly West, Crescent, Anchor and Mayflower (twice) can be daunting. The talk will discuss the mines, miners and mills during this period and their importance to Park City. Silver was mined as well as lead, zinc, copper and gold. The talk will include a discussion of daily life underground, and how did it change over time. Who were the miners? Were the mines unsafe, and if so, why did so many young men want to work there? What major hazards did they face: blasting, drilling, handling explosives, riding the cage, etc.? What were some of the other jobs at the mine- blacksmiths, wood workers etc.? What were the conditions like in the mines, hot, cold, wet, dry? Which were the top mine producers and what made them stand out?
The presenter will offer insights from his experience working in a similar remote lead/zinc mine over sixty years ago.
Topics of local interest that will be covered include terms such as widow maker, assessment, claim jumper, tommy knockers, single and double jack, cousin jacks, and salting, among others.
Donovan, a mining engineer from England, holds a B.S. in mining engineering from Newcastle University and a Ph.D. in mineral processing from Nottingham University. After emigrating to western Canada in 1971 and working in the Canadian mining industry, he moved to Park City in 1977. He co-founded an international mining consulting company and has participated in various domestic and global mining projects. Donovan is a museum docent and helped start the Ski Mountain Mining History lecture series.