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Robert Dalton Harris, Jr. Collection on Uranium Mining, 1949-1964

By Anne Bahde

Collection Overview

Title: Robert Dalton Harris, Jr. Collection on Uranium Mining, 1949-1964

Predominant Dates: 1954

ID: MSS Uranium

Extent: 0.2 cubic feet. More info below.

Date Acquired: 00/00/2017

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

This small collection contains stock certificates, investment circulars, and geology survey reports documenting the first uranium ‘boom’ in western North America during the early 1950s.

Scope and Content Notes

This small collection contains various stock certificates, investment circulars, promotional materials, and geology survey reports documenting the first uranium ‘boom’ in western North America during the early 1950s. Companies from Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Canada are present, and include: Atomic Investors Trust, Santa Fe Uranium Corporation, Radiore Uranium, Abraska Uranium, Big Mesa Uranium, La Ronge Uranium Mines, Beacon Uranium Corporation, Beehive Uranium Corporation, Comstock Uranium and Oil Company, Consolidated Uranium Mines, Inc, Crusader Corporation, Lucky Mc Uranium Corporation, Mayday Uranium Corporation, Radiore Uranium Company, Rex Uranium Corporation, Sabre Uranium Corporation, and Stanleigh Uranium Mining Corporation Limited. Stock certificates are issued to single names of men and women, as well as to dual holders.

One report, issued by Max C. Gerrick, summarizes a geologic visit to a site in Utah during September 1954. Another 1954 report from William Lee Stokes, geologist from Geoprofessional Services, is for Brumley Ridge Claims in Blanding, Utah and the properties of the Green Hornet Uranium Company. Reports include site qualities, potential for uranium yield, and opportunities for profit. Another 1954 report from Davisson A. Benson, Jr. summarizes geologic findings and details arrangements to fund a mining operation. None of the reports indicate the impact of mining on surrounding land or communities. Also included is a packet of information addressed to Mr. A. Harmon of Syracuse, New York from the Atomic Energy Commission Domestic Uranium Program.

Biographical / Historical Notes

The uranium industry rapidly expanded in the United States during the 1950s, in response to growing global demand and high prices for uranium ore. Many uranium prospecting and mining companies were quickly established in Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. These operations were sited, expanded, and mined with little regard for or input from Navajo and other Native American tribes who occupied the land, and operations frequently exploited labor from these communities for unsafe mining activities. Many miners suffered injuries and exposure-related health effects. The uranium mines were often abandoned by these corporations, leaving significant environmental and health risks for many communities to this day.

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 1 box

Acquisition Note: This collection is part of the Robert Dalton Harris, Jr. Collection of the Atomic Age.

Related Materials: Other materials on uranium mining can be found in the History of Atomic Energy Collection, the Robert Dalton Harris, Jr. Collection of Atomic Age Ephemera, and the Nuclear Free America Records.

Preferred Citation: Robert Dalton Harris, Jr. Collection on Uranium Mining (MSS Uranium), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Processing Information: The collection was processed in 2022.

People, Places, and Topics

Uranium industry
Uranium mines and mining

Forms of Material

Stock certificates


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.