King Con Ore Bin at PCM receives preservation grant

Photo: The King Con Ore Bin. Photo: The Friends of Ski Mining Mountain History

The ore bin was constructed as a component of the King Con Aerial Tram in 1916 by The Silver King Consolidated Mining Company

PARK CITY, Utah – The King Con ore bin, located on Claimjumper ski trail at Park City Mountain, recently received the Grand Award for Historic Preservation from the Park City Historic Preservation Board.

The project was funded by the Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History, a nonprofit organization of the Park City Museum and Historical Society dedicated to the preservation of old mining era structures in Park City.

The Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History raised over $125,000 to restore and preserve the King Con ore bin.

“The Friends are proud to be recognized for the work done to save the ore bin.  $15,000 of the $125,500 we raised to restore this beautiful historic artifact came from Park City’s Historic Preservation grants,” Donald Roll, co-chair of The Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History Committee said. 

“We are thankful to Park City Municipal, the Historic Preservation Board and Park City Mountain for their support and to our many community members who made donations to  preserve another reminder of Park City’s mining history.”

The ore bin, constructed as a component of the King Con Aerial Tram in 1916 by The Silver King Consolidated Mining Company, has served as a symbol of Park City’s mining history since the resort’s inauguration in 1963.

“I am incredibly proud of Park City Mountain’s longstanding partnership with the Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History and Park City Municipal, and of the important work it supports,” said Deirdra Walsh, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Park City Mountain Resort.

“As we celebrate our 60th anniversary season at Park City Mountain, I am truly inspired by the dedication of these organizations, and of so many passionate individuals, to preserving Park City’s mining history for our community to enjoy, treasure and learn from for years to come.”

The Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History raised over $125,000 to restore and preserve the King Con ore bin.

Alongside receiving the award, the Preservation Board also engaged local artist Bridgete Meinhold to create a painting of the ore bin. Last summer, Bridget gathered grasses and wildflowers from the surroundings of the ore bin, extracting inks from these plants to craft her artwork.

The painting will be displayed alongside past award recipients on the second level of City Hall.

“The entire Historic Preservation Board unanimously voted in early 2023 that the King Con ore bin was a standout as an example of ‘Excellence in Restoration,'” Randy Scott, Chair of the Historic Preservation Board said.

“It is a testament to the work that Clark Martinez and his team do, and continue to do, for these important mining structures. The Historic Preservation Board unanimously voted Bridgete as the chosen artist not only based on her talent, but also her specific approach by creating watercolors from the surrounding plants around the ore bin.”

Although Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History views this award as a significant triumph, the organization emphasizes that numerous other mining structures are in need of preservation.

FOSMMH is actively seeking essential funds to safeguard the head frame complexes at the Silver King and Thaynes mines. For further details on how you can contribute, please visit the Park City History website.