Dividend

 

The Eureka area is definitely one of my favorite areas to visit.  Dividend is a must see.  There are many ruins and signs of a what was once a very active mining district. There are many tailings littered across the mountain side and several structures still standing.  The drive in and out of the area is quite impressive during the fall, due to the changing leaves.

Dividend was started by Emil Raddatz in 1915 after studying the area and discovering surface outcroppings of ore.  His miners dug for nearly a year.  Many of them began to doubt in the mine and sold their stock.  Raddatz put all his wealth into the mine, which included selling his ranch in California and mortgaging his home in Salt Lake City. In 1916, when his funds were nearly depleted, a large body of ore was struck.  All the time put into the mine paid off.  In 1949, after paying out $19 million in dividends, the mine closed.

To find Dividend, take the U.S. Highway 6-50 towards Eureka.  The town is on a hill side which is about 3.2 miles south of Eureka.  A road turns off to the south and heads up the mountain side.  You will know it when you see it.  After visiting the town, it's nice to take the short drive that heads further up the canyon and ends up back in Eureka.

3 1/2 stars.