Leeds in Washington County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Mining, Milling, and Men: Barbee and Walker
Photographed By Jeremy Snow, March 15, 2024
1. Mining, Milling, and Men: Barbee and Walker Marker
Across this small canyon, the stone foundation and other remnants of the Barbee & Walker Mill are still visible. By comparing the photos below with the location of the foundation, visualizing the size of this mill and how it looked in the 1880s is still possible. The Barbee & Walker Mine that provided silver ore for the mill was located in this same area. As miners brought the ore-bearing rock to the surface, this mill and others at Silver Reef were essential for refining the silver.
William Tecumseh Barbee was one of the earliest people to prospect for silver in southwest Utah and made one of the most significant discoveries. His initial claims were staked in 1875, and the mine and mill were in full operation by 1878. Barbee's discoveries are credited with starting the largest rush of prospectors and miners to Silver Reef. The mill and mine were named for him and the Walker brothers of Salt Lake City who were his partners.
This marker has been funded with assistance from Utah State History and the National Park Service. This project is funded in part by the National Trust for Historic Preservation through the Utah Preservation Initiatives Fund.
Erected 2011.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce
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Location. 37° 15.186′ N, 113° 22.188′ W. Marker is in Leeds, Utah, in Washington County. Marker is on Silver Reef Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1991 Silver Reef Road, Leeds UT 84746, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Schoolhouse Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. John's Church / Bishop Lawrence J. Scanlan (about 700 feet away); Wells Fargo and Company Express Building (about 700 feet away); Mile-long Main Street (about 800 feet away); Rice Bank Building (about 800 feet away); Three Historic Towns (about 800 feet away); On-Site Mills: A Silver Reef Necessity (about 800 feet away); Silver in Sandstone: A Geologic Anomaly (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leeds.
Photographed By Jeremy Snow, March 15, 2024
2. Mining, Milling, and Men: Barbee and Walker Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 48 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
