Landmarks III

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Pete

Landmarks III

I have mentioned many landmarks that are multi-generational.  Some are natural and some are man-made.  The natural landmarks are impressive – Adobe Rock is hard to miss because of it’s sheer size and it’s uniqueness.

A major landmark of greater dimensions than Adobe Rock are the shoreline scars etched into the Oquirrh Mountains.  There are two distinct ‘bathtub rings’ that are highly visible yet easily blend into the mountain benches.  They can be overlooked just because they are so natural.

Lake Bonneville, an ancient lake formed after the Ice Age some 14,000 years ago, was approximately the size of Lake Michigan.  Although slightly smaller than Lake Michigan, it is estimated to have been deeper and therefore it contained more water.

The highest shoreline, or Bonneville level, is testimony to the depth of this lake.  Most of present-day Tooele Valley would have been underwater.  Lake Bonneville was at this level for thousands of years and the evidence is not just the mid-mountain shoreline.  I was always fascinated when I found evidence of shelled creatures when hiking about these mountains.  The entire valley floor is composed of clay – lake-bottom clay.

As I mentioned, the lake was at the highest level for thousands of years.  Sometime around 14,000 years ago, two alluvial dams located at Red Pass, Idaho finally eroded through and allowed the exodus of a massive amount of water from Lake Bonneville.  When the lake arrived at its new level – the Provo level – it remained at that level for so long that a new watermark was formed.  Watermarks

A drier period of climate was experienced, attributed to a more southerly flow of the jet stream – totally unrelated to the industrial escapades of this planet’s favorite two-legged inhabitant, caused the lake to evaporate to a third level.  The shoreline that represents the third level of Lake Bonneville is barely discernible at the extreme north part of the valley and on Antelope Island.  The final remnant of Lake Bonneville is the Great Salt Lake.

A huge man-made landmark is the slag dump of the International Smelting and Refining smelter that was located at the mouth of Pine Canyon.  This slag dump can be viewed from the northern part of the valley at the base of the Oquirrhs.  This remnant of Tooele’s significant past is all that is left of over 60 years of smelting and refining operations.

The International Smelting and Refining Company began to build its legacy in 1909.  One of the initial (and essential) portions of this operation was building a railroad spur from the mainline of the now Union Pacific rail line through Tooele to the smelter site.  The rail line went directly through town from Warner Station, up Vine Street, along the bench to the mouth of Pine Canyon.

Once the rail line was completed, construction of the smelter and auxiliary building could begin in earnest.  When completed in 1916, it had the capacity to handle not only locally-produced ores but ores from the Bingham side and from many places outside Utah – including Canada.

It is truly difficult to imagine importing ore from Canada in today’s industrially unfriendly America.  Nevertheless, the smelter reached its pinnacle in the 1920’s but remained productive up until 1972.

Refining that much ore for that long is going to make a big pile of slag.  Slag is the byproduct of melting down the concentrated ore into its base minerals – copper, zinc, lead and small amounts of gold and silver.  This slag was carried to the dump by slag-cars on a rail system that ringed the top of the slag dump.  Once over the desired dumping area, the car would tip its contents over the side of the dump, adding to the size of the dump.

Production Shaft

This slag is basically molten rock, likely the closest thing to lava this side of the volcanoes in Hawaii.  This Erda farmboy always had a front row seat from his home when they ‘dumped the slag’ at night.  The red, molten material would flow down the side of the dump and glow for close to an hour before darkening as it cooled.  The glowing red was detectable when they dumped during the day but not nearly as impressive as when dumped at night.  It was even an added side-show when watching a movie at the drive-in theater (another landmark story) and demanded a measure of attention to be paid, taking time away from John Wayne or Cary Grant.  Another of the fine benefits of growing up in Erda.

 

The huge smelter and smokestack were long since removed.  The slag dump is not as visible as it once was.  Yet, it is difficult to completely hide over 20 acres of slag.  It stands today as testimony to the industriousness of the people in the Tooele Valley.

The railroad eventually was removed, along with many other legacies of this period.  The railroad not only carried ore and supplies, but it carried the workers to and from work at the smelter.  In its prime, the Tooele Valley Authority (TVA) transported workers right past the Oquirrh Hotel, the 48 Steak House and the Kirk Hotel when it was built in 1926.  No traffic jams getting to work in those days, just be on time to catch the train.

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Johnny Depp to Buy Wounded Knee and Return It

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Pete

Credit: The Daily Mail

 

Actor Johnny Depp wants to purchase the historical landmark Wounded Knee and gift it back to the Native American people to help make right what went so wrong in 1890.

In an interview with The Daily Mail on Sunday, well-known actor Johnny Depp disclosed that he intends to buy Wounded Knee, a national historic landmark, and gift it back to the Indian people. He shared that he is ready to spend millions in order to give control back to those that should have inherited the land, and help make right what went so wrong back in 1890.

“It’s very sacred ground and many atrocities were committed against the Sioux there,” he said. “And in the 1970s there was a stand-off between the Feds (Federal government) and the people who should own that land. This historical land is so important to the Sioux culture and all I want to do is buy it and give it back. Why doesn’t the government do that?”

Perhaps it was Depp’s stint playing the role of Tonto in the box office production The Lone Ranger that inspired him to pursue such action; whatever the inspiration, the activism will most certainly be appreciated by many.

Depp spent a massive amount of time doing research about the various tribes and received the approval from many Native American groups before the filming of The Lone Ranger began. His respect for the Native American culture runs deep, and he wanted to make sure that all those involved with the production were doing right by “the Indian” in the way they portrayed the various tribes.

“The idea was to give back to them and to make sure that we got it right,” he said in the lengthy interview.
According to the news source, Depp is intent on following through with the aforementioned plan. The asking price for Wound Knee is $3.9 million, which is a fraction of what Depp makes from one production. That said, there is little standing in the way of him keeping true to his promise.

“I am doing my best to make that happen. It’s land they were pushed on to and then they were massacred there. It really saddens me,” he stated.

The area near Wounded Knee Creek on the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (in South Dakota) is where the last major battle of the American Indian Wars took place. The fight reportedly began when an elderly tribesman refused to hand over his weapon. Troops attacked, and at least 150 members of the Lakota tribe – including men, women, and children – were killed.

Honoring the Native American culture by purchasing the historical location will be a major step in helping to make right what went so wrong over a hundred years ago. The event has caused outrage from historians as at least 20 American soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for their role in the massacre. Now, at least, the public is more educated on the solemn history and can do what’s right moving forward.

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Landmarks II

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Pete

Lincoln Highway

Some landmarks are so important that generations perhaps fail to convey the significance these icons have had. Each generation attaches their own significance to the landmark.

Take the Lincoln Highway for instance.  I am sure you have taken it on your way from Salt Lake City into the Tooele Valley or beyond. Lincoln HW3This footpath of dreamers and explorers goes back even  into Native American times.  It certainly pre-dates the Mormon pioneers, with Jim Bridger likely following at least a portion of the Lincoln Highway as he explored the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake.

 

I grew up thinking that everyone knew about the Lincoln Highway.  As it turns out, I only know a small part of its history.  I may never fully understand the significance of this American icon.  I grew up with it (or at least a portion of it) in my back yard.

I made mention in my initial blog regarding landmarks along the Lincoln Highway, namely Adobe Rock and the Benson Grist Mill.  It turns out that the reason these landmarks are so instrumental in the history of Tooele County, Utah, the Deseret Territory and the West is that they are located adjacent to one of the primary east-west roads in America.

Lincoln HW2The pioneers certainly gave it prominence when travelling to the Tooele Valley, Stockton, Rush Valley, Josepha, Ibapah and the Great Basin.  In 1912 or 1913, this wagon track was slated to be improved to allow automobiles to traverse America and was dubbed the Lincoln Highway.

A traveler from Salt Lake City would follow the Lincoln Highway to Adobe Rock and Mills Junction and have the option of turning straight south toward Tooele or keep heading west across the Tooele Valley (passing the Benson Grist Mill) into Grantsville and beyond.  This landmark remained to become the major highway heading toward Nevada and California.

I80westIn modern times, Interstate 80 bypasses the original route that passes the Benson Grist Mill and heads through Grantsville.  The ‘old’ two lane road still serves valley residents and travelers.  As the old road passes through Grantsville, remnants from the 50’s and 60’s are still visible to those who look diligently.

Many travelers, both local commuters and passer-bys, follow the route of the ages through the valley.  You are in very good company.  The Donner Party used it, as did other gold seekers and California-bound folks seeking a fresh start.

The Pony Express used portions of it, primarily south of Tooele through Dugway.  The many soldiers, surveyors and cartographers sent to Utah used it as well.  In more modern times, weekend get-away folks heading to game in Nevada or to attend ‘Speed Week’ on the Bonneville Salt Flats during those heady years of Land Speed records being set every year.

As you travel on this landmark it is my sincere wish that this information makes your journey a bit easier.  Happy Trails.

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Head in the clouds revisited

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Pete

This gallery contains 4 photos.

          Things change in  a hurry – enjoy every moment

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Place Photo Here Part II

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Pete

Having my wits about me and remembering the memory card makes it so much easier to capture the morning.  Happy Columbus Day, by the way.  I am old-fashioned, I get that for sure, but I like to remember old Chris just the same.

It’s not so much what he did on October 12, 1492 that impresses me, although that is notable.  It is what he did on August 3, 1492 that is impressive.  Having the courage to not only follow your convictions but to put everything you have – including your life – into a conviction, now that is impressive.

When he stepped off that perfectly good continent onto the deck of a scrawny little sailboat, he made a decision.  He followed through with his convictions.  That took some real doing, in my book.

There was no opt-out clause, no Restore button, no 1-800-Iam-lost number he could call.  Never believe the skeptics.

 

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Millpond

For instance, there were people who never would have believed that anyone could waterski on the millpond.

Good thing Ted, Half, Jack and Cliff never listened to them.  They might have removed the big branches and avoided the bigger mossy spots, but they certainly would not listen to the skeptics.

 

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Hoover Dam Bridge

Take the Pat Tillman – Mike O’Callaghan Bridge.  Skeptics came out of the woodwork on that, for sure.  Too high, too costly, not necessary yada yada – yet today this bridge cuts the time of driving to Arizona to buy a lottery ticket by an hour – if you factor in the return trip.

 

As final proof that you should never listen to skeptics, I’ll leave you with NASA and their driving need (ahem) to find a new place to drive their four-wheelers.  It is certain that skeptics came out of the swamp to say they could not drive their four-wheelers on the moon.  Rover

No gas?  No problem – take a Tesla equivalent because they wouldn’t be caught dead driving a Prius on the moon.  No toy-hauler?  Leave it to LEM, the grand-daddy of toy haulers.

 

As you can see, helmet laws do save lives.

Just say NO to skeptics – enjoy Columbus Day.

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Snapshots

Posted on October 11, 2015 by Pete
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The Bridge at Hoover Dam

 

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Hoover Dam

 

Navajo Reservation

Navajo Reservation

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Place Photo Here

Posted on October 11, 2015 by Pete

Is there anything more frustrating than going for an early morning stroll, anticipating many new morning-light photos to add to your gallery and finding out you have left your memory card in your computer?

I don’t often do that, but when I do I really feel silly.  Takes me right back to the days of remembering to put film in the camera.  Nothing says missed opportunity like a big, fat 0 (zero) on top of the camera – except a flashing icon on your digital screen.

I was immediately reminded of a line in the movie ‘Mitty’, where Shawn Penn says ‘Sometimes you just keep the shots for yourself’

Oh Well.  They were great!

Next Time.

 

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Landmarks

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Pete

Landmarks have a shelf-life.  Landmarks seem to be somewhat generational, depending upon their usefulness to a particular generation.  Some may last longer, even centuries.

Most of the landmarks I grew up with were definitely multi-generational landmarks.  One classifies as millennial.  Adobe Rock guards the entrance to the Tooele Valley.  Perched atop a glacial moraine, it makes perfect sense to think that Native peoples used this Adoberocklandmark in much the same way as the latter day emigrants did beginning in the 1850’s.

It certainly was used as a camp site for the Indians inhabiting or just traveling through the valley.  As you enter the valley from the east, its’ prominence stands clear.  Once you arrive at the Rock, the view from the top is irresistible.

Fremont used it.  Tooele Valley settlers used the rock in a similar manner. Government surveyors used the rock as a landmark and even built a way-station of sorts to the north of the rock that lasted (as an additional landmark for this lad) into recent times.  Wagon trains, and later on, travelers on the Lincoln Highway no doubt camped there as well.  Who knows how many of the Donner-Reid Party spent a quiet time there before beginning to cross the dreaded salt flats on their way to the Sierra Nevada’s?

A wee bit of my DNA intersects with Adobe Rock.  John Gordon, my pioneer great-great grandfather, would go to the mill to get flour – I am certain he would use the Rock as a landmark on his journey.  This story stuck in my head every time I climbed to the top of this landmark to survey my valley.

It’s entirely conceivable that Roland used this landmark.

Yet another significant man-made landmark lies just beyond Adobe Rock.  The pioneers built a mill (Two Ponds Mill, Benson Grist Mill, or plain old Mill) that was powered by hydro-power from what is now known as the millpond.  A huge structure for its’ day, for a time it was the tallest building between the Rockies and the coast. Mill Wagon-trains knew of both these landmarks and were often mentioned in the diaries of those crossing the Valley.

The Mill signifies the ingenuity of our pioneer founders in that, given a supply of hydro power, all that was needed was to construct a three story mill adjacent to that source.  Once the tallest building west of the Rockies was built, the small matter of providing machinery to operate within the mill took precedent – a story for another blog.

The building stands today as a testimony to the effort of our pioneers and their ability to overcome obstacles encountered while filling a need for the valley.  It has fallen into generational-landmark standing, primarily due to the fact that it is not as visible as it once was.  Other structures have been placed both around it and at the entrance to the valley.

The old Lincoln Highway that runs through the Mill’s front yard has been expanded to accommodate four lanes of traffic in many places.  That very same highway is dotted with signs that are as tall or taller than the Mill.  The venerable Mill is now camouflaged behind signs encouraging you to buy a larger home for your family or to get a vasectomy.

These current-day landmarks seem to contradict each other. 🙂 Pedro.

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Of Course I’m A Writer

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Pete

Of Course I’m a Writer.

My timeline for writing goes back to when Ike was President.  Yes, they had paper back then.     gradeschool

 

 

 

 

Being raised in a rural area, my earliest realization that writing was important was the power that figures and words had on our farm. farm ledger Everything went into a ledger (Google that if you need to), those chicken-scratches represented our life and our livelihood from the farm.  Writing was a series of numbers and dates.  Throughout the early 60’s, my writing consisted of answering questions as efficiently as possible.  Any essay-writing was imitating an example and changing the words to personalize it and make it accurate.

 

 

Just about the time that Nixon became President, I began speaking in public.  This required recording thoughts based on my experiences rather than modifying existing examples.  I found that using parables was the most logical way for me to express my thoughts.

Completing high school during the years when Ford was not just a car but a President, writing once again became numbers with minimal text associated with it.  Fill-in-the-box sort of stuff.

With a change of careers halfway through Reagan’s First Term, my responsibilities became writing instruction manuals and software descriptions for rudimentary software programs for the personal computer market, just in case those things ever became popular. pong In order to do this, I reverted to imitating the things I knew rather than drawing upon any formal education.

 

Throughout the remainder of the ‘80’s documentation remained the focal point of my writing – installation manuals, project procedures and documentation.  I also began to create budget proposals for yearly budgets, complete with descriptions of anticipation of benefits from the budget items.  A form of Business to Business writing, my writing focused on appealing to the needs and expediency rather than seeking spur of the moment impulse decisions from the reader.

During Clinton’s first term, my writing included computer-rollout procedures, sales proposals and documentation.  In ’94, I was published in a computer software magazine and became an irregular contributor in this area.

My IT career continued to include writing procedures, instructions and proposals well into the new millennia. I dabbled in website construction in ’96 but did not follow through with this after proof of concept.

At the start of the present century, I began to write pieces for quarterly and monthly newsletters.  These articles were motivational in nature and the writing was (and is) voluntary – unpaid.  I put my best effort, it seems, into contributing freely in the hope that I can make a difference.  Writing from the heart is exponentially more gratifying than writing to the Cloud.  No offense to the present reader.

I began to incorporate video and still-photography, accompanied with written descriptions into my work.  Capturing snippets of life in motion, real-time, is absolutely enthralling to me.DSC00968

In 2013, I documented over 400 structures, many of these structures having historical significance, in three Utah towns using video and still-photos enhanced by words …

…  or is it using words backed by video and still-photographs to enhance the readers understanding?

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About Pete

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Pete

Pete was born and raised in the small town of Erda, Utah.  He has extensive experience in the mining , construction and computer industries.  Living in both northern and southern Utah, as well as Nevada, Arizona and Washington State – he is passionate about the West.

His occupations allowed him to travel extensively throughout the United States, giving him a never-ending appreciation towards the depth of character that Americans possess in abundance.  Spending several years ‘living and working in a postcard’, as he describes his experiences while working in National Parks, Recreation Areas, National Forests and Native American lands, he is never far from his camera or from his next story.

Realizing that he has lived his entire life for this moment, he is always ready for it. Enjoy!

 

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