Entry No. 43 — the Salt Lake City file — filed under: ruins

Grand Central Mine

The Grand Central Mine is a historic gold and silver mine situated on the steep slopes of Eureka Peak in the Tintic Mining District. Operating from 1875 until 1960, it was famously the first mine west of the Mississippi River to install a steel headframe, funded by its rich gold yields. Today, the iconic 50-foot steel A-frame headframe and the dilapidated remains of its surface plant still stand against the mountain backdrop.

The move: Take a scenic drive through the historic Tintic Mountains to photograph the impressive 50-foot steel headframe from the road, then head into the nearby semi-ghost town of Eureka to explore its historic Main Street.

📍 Before you go The mine structure is located on private property and is highly hazardous, but the historic steel headframe and surface ruins are easily visible and photogenic from the public dirt roads of the Tintic Mining District.

• 📍 Eureka
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Eureka, UT 84628, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: utahrails.net · westernmininghistory.com

last checked: 2026-07-20