The Tintic Mining Mill, aka Standard Mining Mill, outside of Genola, Utah was shut down in 1925. The Mill opened in 1921 to process ore from Utah's Tintic Mining region. Technological advances made it more cost effective to ship the ore north for processing. In recent years the Mill's remains has become a favorite site for Graffiti artists who have done an exceptional job of decorating the decaying concrete structures. Based on my study of Rock Art of Ancient Americans, I am comfortable categorize this as Rock Art in the form of Murals from period Americans - Pictographs.
In July 2019, the site was official closed by the Bureau of Land Management due to hazards on the property. Aside from being extremely steep and scree covered, the land is tainted with heavy concentrations of arsenic and lead. In the past, the BLM turned a blind eye to those coming in to decorate the remnants, and those who came to photograph the graffiti. On August 28, 2019, it was announced that the BLM is enforcing trespassing violations with fines in the range of $600 for those who ignore the new gates and signs. These photos were taken in 2019 and considering all the new art, I will attempt to gain entry in 2024 to photograph the new art that will have been added to these 2020 photos. Original 2017 photographic documentation of the Tintic Mill.
Images posted below were taken in March 2020 after BLM took steps to discourage unauthorized access to this facility due to high levels of arsenic and lead in the soil of this very steep mountain side. There are also high concentrations of these toxins in the pools at the bottom of the facility.
Archaeologists declare we have no understanding of the meaning of the Petroglyphs & Pictographs found throughout Utah and throughout the world.
Likewise, the same could be considered of us for trying to define the meaning of much of the Graffiti found at the Tintic site. Though some are obvious, others do provide interpretations that differ from person to person. Some of the panels are reminiscent of modern art I have viewed in galleries, while others are a simple declaration.
Enjoy the creativity!
FOR NOW...
