Agency History
The development of the cyanide process in the early 1890s and the construction of the first commercial cyanide mill in Mercur stimulated mining activity and prompted the organization of several new mining districts in Tooele County. The Cottonwood Springs Mining District was organized in the area between the Sheeprock and the Simpson Mountains near the Tooele-Juab County border. Late 19th century mining districts were organized according to federal law which states that mineral deposits in the public domain are free and open to exploration, and locators of the same have exclusive right of possession (
In accordance with federal guidelines, mining districts adopted by-laws to regulate mining activity in the district and elected recorders to keep records of claims. No by-laws have been discovered for this district to show how the district tailored federal regulations to meet local needs.
Based on general practice a mining district recorder was chosen from among the claim holders in the district. The recorder kept a record of claims within the district, and his record books were open for public inspection.
Mining district recorders appointed deputies as needed to carry out their responsibilities. Records for the Cottonwood Springs District end in 1893. After that date, claims in this area were recorded in the Erickson Mining District.