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Show NPSForm1»«»« 0MB Appro** No. HB44019 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _§_ Page_?__ Eureka MPO its former self. The former mining town, which reached its heyday in the 1920s, has steadily declined in population in correspondence with the ebbing mining industry. Most of the downtown business district, which is in a state of slow decay, is located within a national historic district. According to local legend, the Tintic area was home to "lost Spanish mines" which preceded the booming mining operations of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The mining district bears the name of a Ute chief, Tintic. Skirmishes took place in the late 1850s between the Utes and cattlemen. After discovery of an ore outcropping by Mormon cowboys, the Tintic Mining District was formed in 1869. Incorporation was followed by an influx of prospectors and miners in the early 1870s. Eureka 's beginnings stem from the staking of the Eureka Hill mine in 1870. Eureka Gulch became the area of settlement for miners, prospectors, settlers, and their families. The settlement rapidly became the district's business center. In 1880 Eureka claimed 122 residents and boomed to a population of 1,733 in 1890. The Juab County Courthouse was erected in 1891 (subsequently moved to Nephi) . Eureka was incorporated in 1892. The Rio Grande Western branch line was extended from Springville and the city continued in its development. Labor strife, the panic of 1893, and a fire which devastated the city's business district in 1893 all dealt blows to the city's prosperity. The construction of new mills in 1894 brought about a slow but steady recovery to the mining district. The mill construction brought prosperity back to the city by the mid-1890s. By 1900 the population climbed to 3,325. Growth continued through the 1920s with populations of 3,829 in 1910 and 3,908 in 1920. Mine production peaked in 1925, then plummeted by 1933. Population began to decline from 3,041 in 1930 to 2,292 in 1940 and 1,318 in 1950. The Eureka Post Office is at the east edge of the city's business district along Main Street. Lliff Street forms the rear (south) boundary of the site. Adjacent to the east is the frame Methodist Episcopal Church (historic landmark) and attached mobile home. A two-story brick commercial building (predates post office) is adjacent to the west of the Post |
