The Carbon County Historical Society met on Sept. 30 to enjoy a fall potluck dinner and a discussion with Eldon Miller. As usual, the group met at the Carbon County Senior Center for this activity and all were urged to come ready to eat.
The Carbon County Historical Society Board provided the meat, rolls, plates, silverware, napkins and cups while encouraging participants to bring a potluck dish to complete the meal. Miller was introduced and it was explained that he was going to be speaking on the old coal camps of Eastern Utah.
However, before he spoke, it was announced that the society is still looking for a new presidency for 2022 and are asking for volunteers to keep the historical society running. Those that are interested and wish to obtain more information should contact the society at (435) 650-1026.
Miller, who was celebrating his 91st birthday, has been credited as a man that knows an incredible amount about local coal camps. He shared that his family would travel from one coal camp to another as his father obtained new contracts. As a result, he lived in six different coal camps in the Spring Canyon area.
Miller spoke on the various places within Spring Canyon, including Standard, Tennis Court, Tent Town and more. He stated that Tent Town was aptly named as people lived in tents until houses were completed or made available.
From there, Miller also spoke on living in Mutual, Hiawatha and more. He shared that for him, Hiawatha was a place that he discovered to be the best place that he lived. He was 15 years old at the time and discovered something he didn’t really know about before.
“I discovered girls, one in particular,” said Miller.
Miller then continued his presentation for society members, taking them through his teenage years as he ventured through the various coal camps, encouraging audience participation. He also had artifacts from his younger years to share with the audience, such as the marbles that he said each teenage boy had in their locker.
Before concluding, it was explained that the next Carbon County Historical Society meeting will take place in late October and the plan is to host a field trip.
