The dawn of the 1960s hinted at seismic changes both for the country and the beleaguered mining community of Park City. Until 1963, the town’s economy depended exclusively on mining. Since the Great Depression the industry – and thus Park City’s fortunes – had been in a freefall. Survival depended upon economic diversification. Over a series of articles, we’ll discuss the transformative events responsible for Park City’s rebirth as a thriving resort community. Our first two articles investigate how the newest mine shaft in Park City came to use the oldest hoist. This is the story of the Ontario shaft #6.
In 1960, after decades of despair, a beacon of hope shone brightly over the Blue Ledge Mining District (located in Wasatch County) just east of Park City. The term “Blue Ledge” refers to the blue hue characteristic of high-quality silver ore deposits. Spanning a period of 70 years, there were at least eleven east side mines.
The most prominent one (in modern times) was the Mayflower Mine owned by the New Park Mining Company. Chartered in 1932, it would be the last mine to open and the second last to close in 1972. The 4,000 acres associated with the property are now home to Deer Valley’s largest expansion since its inception in 1981 – Deer Valley East. Chronically undercapitalized, New Park struggled to develop the property’s full potential. This changed in 1960. New Park and the mining conglomerate Hecla formed a joint venture. The infusion of capital and engineering talent unleashed the mine’s wealth.
Being the newest mine in the area and non-union, the Mayflower was not constrained by aging infrastructure and/or suboptimal work rules. The main shaft reached 3,500 feet – the deepest single shaft in the mining community. They also built an efficient reduction mill, while a Union Pacific Railroad spur connected the facility to the Wasatch Front’s extensive smelting industry. In other words, the Mayflower printed money. By 1966 it was the nation’s sixth largest gold producer.
Credit: Park City Historical Society & Museum, Salt Lake Playmakers Collection
The Mayflower’s success encouraged renewed investment in properties owned by the United Park City Mining Company (UPCM). The inception of UPCM began in the early 1950s as Park City’s ailing independent mines were eventually consolidated under one corporate entity. By 1960 UPCM controlled 90% of the district’s mines.
Accessing promising ore deposits at UPCM’s Ontario Mine necessitated development of a new internal shaft. Referred to as the Ontario #6, they commenced construction in 1965. The initial cost estimate: $600K (approximately $6 million in today’s value). Beginning at the 1,500-foot level, the shaft would ultimately reach 2,400 feet. Working levels were located at 2,100, 2,200 and 2,300 feet. Dewatering systems were located below the 2,300-foot level.
The Ontario was a wet mine, and the #6 shaft especially so. Some miners described the wetness as a “wall of water.” Jim Hewitson, a freshly minted engineer from the University of Utah’s mining engineering program was tasked with mitigating the subterranean downpour. His design worked flawlessly.
For the first time in years Parkites were optimistic about their future. The promise of economic diversification (Treasure Mountains Ski Resort opened in 1963) and a renewed investment in mining were well underway. The next article in this series will discuss the challenge to procure a hoist for the Ontario #6 shaft.
The author is indebted to Keith Droste, Jim Hewitson, Steve Leatham, Clark Martinez, and Sandra Morrison for their contributions to this article.