Park City, Utah

Going south on Main Street (200 block). This was a Miner's Union parade held on June 13th each year. Exact date is unknown, however, the building on the right with the flag is the First National Bank which burned in the 1898 fire. Ontario Mine is in the background.

This old mining machine was on display in downtown Park City. The plaque reads:

Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark

Eimco Rocker Shovel Loader, Model 12B

Patented October 25, 1938

This machine represents the first successful device to replace human labor in removing the rubble resulting from blasting in underground hard-rock mines. It was operated entirely by compressed air. As the loader moved forward, its bucket dug into the rubble. When full the bucket lifted and with a snap, threw the rubble rearward into a mine car for removal.

The loader designed by Edwin Burt Royale and John Spence Finlay, was developed, manufactured, and sold internationally by Eimco Corporation, Salt Lake City.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers - 2000.

The text on the plaque reads:

Miners are the anonymous thousands whose only monuments are the wasted dumps in the mountains.

This sculpture is dedicated to the remarkable accomplishments of those men who mined with great effort and ingenuity the silver and lead ores found in these mountains, men who simultaneously established the community of Park City which is now our legacy to preserve and enjoy.

The mining engineer is examining a piece of rock which was cored from the earth from a diamond drill, capable of extracting ore from over 1,000 feet away. Miners were always hopeful that another bonanza was about to be discovered.

Jim Ivers (1914-2000), a mining engineer who modeled for this sculpture, had a humble beginning in the mining industry. In 1928, as a 14-year-old, he drove a horse-drawn wagon to Thaynes Canyon, delivering supplies to remote operations. Like his father and grandfather before him, Jim worked in the Park City mines. His interest spurred him to obtain two degrees in Mining Engineering from Columbia University. He came back to work in the Silver King Mine for many years, then left to work in other mining camps, returning to Park City as President and General Manager of United Park City Mines Co. In the 1960's Jim shared the responsibility of directing the mining company's new ski area now called Park City

Mountain Resort. At one time Park City was well known as the site of a great silver mining bonanza; now it is world famous for its skiing.

This sculpture is the work of Peter Fillerup of Midway, Utah. It was dedicated on Miner's Day, Spetember 5, 1999, and given by the citizens of Park City to the community.

I love when these mining-towns-turned-resorts still have old shacks on what has become ultra-valuable land.

Park City has many well preserved victorian miners homes.

Park City has many well preserved victorian miners homes.

Park City has many well preserved victorian miners homes.

Park City has many well preserved victorian miners homes.

Park City has many well preserved victorian miners homes.

Park City has many well preserved victorian miners homes.