The first settlers
in Summit County arrived at Parley's Park in 1850. Wanship was settled
in 1854, followed by Coalville, Hoytsville, and Henefer in 1859. When
coal was discovered near Coalville, the Mormons established a mission
there. During the 1860s, wagons hauled tons of coal from Coalville to
the Salt Lake Valley settlements. In 1873 the Utah Eastern Railroad built a line from Echo Junction to Coalville to haul coal. This line
eventually became part of the Union Pacific Railroad.
The discovery
of silver, lead, and zinc in the Wasatch Mountains in the 1870s soon
overshadowed the settlement and economic activities of the rest of the
county. Park City, a mining town founded in 1872, continued to expand
into the twentieth century. Many individuals made fortunes from the
Park City mines. Mansions on South Temple in Salt Lake City reflect
some of this wealth. Mining continued until the 1950s, at which time
it no longer was profitable. For several decades Park City was on the
verge of becoming a ghost town, but the area's rugged terrain and deep
snow led to its rebirth as a winter sports center. Skiing currently
is a major economic activity in western Summit County, while the rest
of the county is still noted for its farming and ranching. Other recreational
opportunities, including boating, fishing, and tourism add to the county's
diversified economy.
Craig Fuller
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