Near East Carbon in Carbon County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Rock Asphalt
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 30, 2018
1. Rock Asphalt Marker
Inscription.
Rock asphalt was first mined at the top of Whitmore Canyon - 15 mi. NE of this location - in the early 1890's. The mine closed in 1898 and re-opened in 1903. It operated erratically until 1915 when it was forced to close due to the development of sheet asphalt. In 1927 another Co. tried to develop a rock asphalt industry. They spent over 1/2 million dollars on equipment including a 3 1/2 mile gravity powered aerial tramway. To promote the use of rock asphalt for paving, it was sold for $8.00/ton even though production costs exceeded $16.00/ton. This Co. went bankrupt in 1931 and the Rock Asphalt Co. of Utah took over in 1932. The mine operated only about 2 months out of the year and eventually closed. Interest was rekindled in the 1970's but nothing ever developed.
Rock asphalt was first mined at the top of Whitmore Canyon - 15 mi. NE of this location - in the early 1890's. The mine closed in 1898 & re-opened in 1903. It operated erratically until 1915 when it was forced to close due to the development of sheet asphalt. In 1927 another Co. tried to develop a rock asphalt industry. They spent over 1/2 million dollars on equipment including a 3 1/2 mile gravity powered aerial tramway. To promote the use of rock asphalt for paving, it was sold for $8.00/ton even though production costs exceeded $16.00/ton. This Co. went bankrupt in 1931 and the Rock Asphalt Co. of Utah took over in 1932. The mine operated only about 2 months out of the year & eventually closed. Interest was rekindled in the 1970's but nothing ever developed.
Erected 1993 by E. Clampus Vitus, Matt Warner Chapter 1900.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 39° 31.556′ N, 110° 34.332′ W. Marker is near East Carbon, Utah,
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in Carbon County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 6 and Utah Route 123, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 6. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: East Carbon UT 84520, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Canyon Country. It is also in the American Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 516 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.
