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Rare broadsheet map and promotional text, promoting mines centered on the Alta, Utah area in the Little Cottonwood Canyon.

The broadsheet promotes the services of Mining Securities Broker / Dealer William H. Child & Co.  The map delineates the numerous mining claims and operations scattered throughout the Alta-Cottonwood Canyons area, a region renowned for its rich deposits of silver, lead, and other minerals. The map is densely populated with labeled mining claims, each parcel representing different mining interests and ownerships, showcasing the intensity of mining activity in the region.  

The mining story of the Cottonwoods began in earnest in the early 1860s, when prospectors first ventured into the canyons in search of valuable minerals. The discovery of silver in Little Cottonwood Canyon quickly transformed the area into a bustling hub of mining activity. By 1865, the town of Alta was founded to house miners working in the newly established Emma Mine, Flagstaff Mine, and other burgeoning silver mines. Alta soon became one of the most important mining camps in Utah, attracting miners, entrepreneurs, and speculators from across the country.

The Emma Mine played a particularly significant role in Alta’s early history. Known for its sensationally rich silver ore, the mine quickly gained fame and, by 1871, was sold to British investors for an inflated price of $5 million. The sale, however, soon turned into one of the most notorious financial scandals of the time when the mine’s ore body was rapidly exhausted, leading to substantial losses for the investors. The “Emma Mine Scandal” sparked international controversy, resulting in the recall of the U.S. ambassador to Great Britain, who had been a director of the company that sold the mine, and prompted Congressional hearings in Washington, D.C. 

As mining activity flourished, several towns sprang up in support of the industry. One of the earliest was Emmaville, established along the banks of Little Willow Creek at the southeast end of Danish Road. During the late 1860s, Emmaville became a vital halfway camping ground for miners and ore haulers, with a population that swelled to around 500. However, the town’s fortunes declined by the end of 1871 due to a series of misfortunes, including an epidemic, a devastating fire, and the arrival of the railroad to nearby Granite. The town relocated 1½ miles up the canyon, nearer to the railroad terminus, and became known as “Rag Town” because of the numerous tents that dotted the landscape. Despite these efforts, Emmaville’s existence was fleeting, and by the early 1870s, the town had largely faded from significance.

Another short-lived settlement was Gold City, which emerged around 1895 in what is now the Golden Hills subdivision. This town was established in response to the discovery of a promising gold deposit. However, the mine’s output quickly dwindled, leading to the abandonment of Gold City after only a few months of operation. These transient towns, like many others in the region, are a reminder of the boom-and-bust cycles that characterized the mining industry during this period.

In contrast, the Big Cottonwood Mining District, established in 1870, experienced more sustained activity. This district attracted a diverse array of individuals who were involved in filing claims, operating or working in the mines, and transporting ore to the valley’s smelters. The district supported a vibrant community of miners and laborers, contributing significantly to the local economy. 

Mining activity in the Cottonwoods persisted into the early 20th century, though it gradually declined as the richest ore bodies were exhausted. The town of Alta, once a bustling mining hub, saw much of its original infrastructure destroyed by a fire in 1878 and an avalanche in 1885. By the 1930s, Alta had nearly become a ghost town, with only one resident, George Watson, remaining.