The Old Glory Hole

     Continuing on with the ghost town theme, today I am still in the Tintic Mining District, between Silver City and Eureka.  I found this cool photo of the Tintic Hospital located in Mammoth from probably around 1910:

     Mammoth was settled shortly after the discovery of the Mammoth Mine in 1870.  The mine was nicknamed "the old glory hole."  People quickly came to the town, although it was difficult to settle since there was no water located in the vicinity (residents had to buy drinking water for ten cents a gallon, which I think is better than Silver City, which, if I remember right, sold water at a dollar a gallon).  The Mammoth Mine produced ore, silver and gold.

     Wikipedia states that "activity in Mammoth peaked around 1900–1910, with a population of 2500–3000. The town had a school, four large hotels, and other businesses typical of a town its size. Mammoth was officially incorporated in 1910, but began to decline soon after. By 1930 the population was down to 750, the town having disincorporated on 29 November 1929."

      As far as the hospital goes, the history of it is found on the plaque that currently is located at the site of the hospital.  It reads: "Vicinity of 800 W Main Street, Mammoth, Juab County, Utah.  Built as a boarding house in 1893 and converted to a hospital in 1902.  The Tintic Hospital served the people of the Tintic mining district until 1938.  Originally operated by Drs. Mott, Townsend and Stephens.  It was purchased by Dr. Steele Baley Sr. and Dr. Charles Harvielle in 1904.  Dr. Steele Baley Jr., who at the time was attending medical school, later joined his father and brother-in-law in the practice of medicine in 1904.  He continued to operate the hospital until 1933 when he moved to Eureka, Utah.  The services rendered to the people of the district during the influenza epidemic of 1918 will long be remembered, as also the numerous emergency treatments given the miners and their families of the district.  The original building was destroyed about 1935."

     Mammoth is now classified as a partial ghost town as there are still people who live in the town (I found one individual who said there were 18 people living there, although this person also said that at the turn of the century Mammoth and Eureka were the largest cities in the state.  They were not.  The cities were probably around the 9th and 10th largest in the state, which is saying something for cities that are now basically considered ghost towns).  The area where the hospital was located is now an empty lot with a plaque dedicated to the hospital.  Here is the photo of the lot, in addition to some other photos from around the town:

(the plaque and stone structure where it is located can be found on the left side of the photo, between the left mountain peak and the road)

     The final picture is of the Mammoth Fire Station which is on the National Register of Historic Places.  A plaque on the building reads: "This structure, constructed c. 1930, is significant for its association with the history of firefighting in Mammoth.  In August 1912, the Mammoth City Council organized a volunteer firefighting unity, and on August 27, 1812, the first meeting of the Mammoth City Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 was held.  In December 1930, their name changed to the Juab County Fire Department.  This building, built of brick, remains an example of the commercial style of architecture in Mammoth.  It continues to serve the firefighting needs of Mammoth.  The Mammoth Fire Station was listed on the National Register, March 14, 1979, as part of the Mammoth Historic District."

     Mammoth is a partial ghost town because there is still mining that occurs in the town.  On the eastern side, above the rest of the town, is located a coal mining community just below the mines.  Here are some photos from the area:

     In the second photo, if you look closely, there is a 'M' for Mammoth on the hill  Also in the final photo, you can see what I think is the mine opening (or just a really big cave).  If is to the right of the wooden building up on the hill and is kind of blocked by some trees.
     For a great picture of the mine, click here, and for some interesting history, poems, and stories of the town written by someone who lived in the city, click here.