Eureka . . . in pictures

Boarded up house along Main Street, Eureka

Since the release of "Tide Ever Rising" I've had a lot of people ask about Eureka and what it's like to visit. I always recommend a trip if you live close by. It's well worth the time and definitely a fun little town to explore. Here are some pictures from our family's last trip to see the town. We love to explore the surrounding areas and always stop in the near by ghost town of Silver City (approx. 2 mi outside of Eureka) to rock hound for minerals such as azurite, malachite and pyrite.  (Be aware of open mine shafts in the area at all times!!! They are hard to see, and if you aren't paying attention you can stumble right into one. We always keep our kids very, very close and do a sweep of the area before we explore further.)

The town is built along the hills near cedar-covered mountains. Many homes are abandoned  while others are occupied. It is a unique mix of old and new. Just outside of town is a small cemetery  The older headstones are fascinating and it's a fun place to explore the town's history.

On our way. . . . We stopped in a field near Goshen, Utah

It was a cold morning

A View of Main Street, Eureka

Museum

Porter Rockwell's Cabin along Main Street, Eureaka
During summer months the door remains unlocked and you can explore inside

A short history of Eureka's mining history taken from Wikipeida: "Eureka was originally known as Ruby Hollow before it developed into a bustling mining town. Incorporated as a city in 1892, Eureka became the financial center for the Tintic Mining District, a wealthy gold and silver mining area in Utah and Juab counties. The district was organized in 1869 and by 1899 became one of the top mineral producing areas in Utah. Eureka housed the "Big Four" mines—Bullion Beck and Champion, Centennial Eureka, Eureka Hill, and Gemini-and later the Chief Consolidated Mining Company.

Eureka's role as the central financial point for the district ensured its survival. It housed business establishments, including the second-ever JCPenney store (then called the Golden Rule Store), financial institutions, local and county governmental buildings including Eureka City Hall (1899) and a Juab County Courthouse (1892), various churches, and the meeting places for numerous labor, social, and fraternal organizations. Mining entrepreneurs such as John Q. Packard, John Beck, Jesse Knight, and Walter Fitch Sr. were important figures in Eureka and Tintic history. In 1979 Eureka was placed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Tintic Mining District Multiple Resource Area, recognizing the importance of remaining buildings and sites."


More buildings along Main Street, Eureka

Eureka City Hall Building

Inside view of crumbling building with old chair along Main Street 

Sign painted on side of building for old department store

A view of Eureka City, 1911/ Wikipedia: 

Main Street, Eureka today

Store front with collapsed roof

Store advertisement 

Some buildings are occupied by local businesses while others are empty

Gatley Building

Abandoned store fronts

The old buildings and crumbling brick make for some fun photo backdrops

 Here are just a few of the minerals you can pick up outside of town near Silver City (Please respect private property and mining claims)  And if you're looking for a fun day of Rock Hounding you can head further West toward Delta.

Pyrite

Azurite

Malachite