Radioactive Mineral Mining in Southeastern Utah: National Register Multiple Property Documentation Form

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Historical Archaeologies of the American Southwest, 1800 to Today" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Statistical Research, Inc. (SRI), under contract with the BLM and Utah Office of Historic Preservation, developed a historic context for radioactive-mineral-mining-related resource types in the form of a National Register Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF). In addition, SRI generated an educational public product to interpret the resources. The purpose of the historic context is to assist agencies and researchers in NRHP eligibility assessments and findings of effect for undertakings across the Richfield Field Office, particularly in the Henry Mountains District. The purpose of the public product is to explain and interpret the resources to the interested public and to foster improved stewardship through knowledge. The Henry Mountains District is unique for being the scene of twentieth-century radioactive-mineral-mining booms. Two events at the turn of the twentieth century resulted in a mining boom targeting radioactive minerals in southeastern Utah. Pierre and Marie Curie isolated radium, and carnotite was found to contain uranium, vanadium, and radium. The industry experienced its biggest boom after World War II, when the Atomic Energy Commission supported renewed mining for radioactive minerals. For 70 years between 1900 and 1970, radioactive-mineral mining in the Henry Mountains District played a pivotal role on the local, national, and global stage.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Historical Archaeologies of the American Southwest, 1800 to Today   •
• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 24508