Series 23991
North Star Mining District (Utah). Recorder Mining records
Dates: 1871-1897.
2 microfilm reels
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
Based on the date records commence, Beaver County prospectors organized the North Star Mining District in the Star Mountain Range southwest of Milford in November 1871. This district included the mining camp Shenandoah City, and was separated from the Star District by Elephant Canyon. The North Star District was organized just six months before Congress passed a general mining law validating the already established precedent that individuals had the right to claim mineral wealth in the public domain (Statutes at Large, Treaties, and Proclamations, of the United States of America, vol. 17, 1872, chap. 152). In local areas groups of miners organized districts to manage mining activity and to elect recorders to keep records of claims.
The North Star District books primarily contain notices of location for claims. Each notice identifies a claim by a unique name, provides a description of its location, and identifies the names of locators. Since early claims were limited to 200 feet along a lode, several locators were generally listed on each claim. Notices include dates for discovery and filing and are signed by the district recorder or his deputy. In addition to notices of location, Book C also includes some affidavits showing proof of labor and some exemption notices recorded in years that Congress excused prospectors from the annual labor requirement (1893-1894). A newspaper report of a North Star miners' meeting including a copy of by-laws as they stood in 1894 has been pasted inside the front cover of Book C.
Arrangement
Chronological by date filed.
Research Note
A page of miners' meeting minutes for the Rocky District, 1881, has been tucked inside the front cover of Book A and microfilmed there.
Related Records
Notices of location books from Beaver County (Utah). County Recorder, Series 23992, contain notices of location for claims in the North Star Mining District.
Mining records from Rocky Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 23994, holds the bulk of Rocky Mining District records.
Access Restrictions
This series is classified as Public.
Preferred Citation
Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.
Processing Note
North Star Mining District record books were microfilmed in January 2002 as part of Utah State Archives Millennial Project and processed by Rosemary Cundiff in February 2003.
Finding Aids
Indexes: North Star Mining District Record Book A includes an index at the end of the book and Record Book B includes an index at the beginning the book. Indexes provide reference by claim name, covering from November, 1871 thru July, 1888.
Indexing Terms
- North Star Mining District (Utah)—By-laws.
- Rocky Mining District (Utah).
- Mining claims—Utah—Beaver County.
- Mines and mineral resources—Property—Beaver County—Utah.
- Utah—Beaver County—Mines and mineral resources.
- Shanandoah City—Utah.
Page Last Updated October 18, 2012.