Kenilworth, Utah – A Still Occupied Mining Camp
Nestled within the rugged landscape of Carbon County, Utah, lies the unassuming community of Kenilworth. Unlike the countless ghost towns that dot the American West, relics of bygone mining booms, Kenilworth persists. While diminished from its bustling peak, it remains a living testament to the coal mining heritage that shaped its existence, a community where approximately 180 residents still call home. This is the story of Kenilworth, a town that refuses to fade into the historical record.
The genesis of Kenilworth is interwoven with the discovery of coal in 1904. Heber J. Stowell, a resident of Spring Glen, Utah, while searching for stray horses in the mountains northeast of his home, stumbled upon significant coal outcroppings. Recognizing the potential, Stowell shared his findings with William H. Lawley of Price. Together, they initiated prospecting activities, uncovering three viable coal beds in the area northeast of what would become Kenilworth.
Initially, accessing the coal deposits proved challenging, leading to a relocation of the mining operations further up the mountain. Stowell and Lawley’s endeavors soon attracted the attention of investors James Wade of Price and Fred Sweet of Salt Lake City, providing the necessary capital to expand their operations. Stowell constructed a wagon road to facilitate access to the mine, initially hauling water from the Price River. As operations grew, a steep tramway was constructed to the mine entrance, streamlining the extraction process. By February 1906, the mine, then known as the Wade-Lawley prospect, employed 16 men. The Western Coal and Coke Company was soon formed from Stowell and Lawley’s organization, marking a significant step in the formalization of the mining venture.
A pivotal moment arrived in late December 1906 when the Independent Coal & Coke Company, a Wyoming-based corporation, acquired the Aberdeen mine, previously operated by Wade and Lawley. This acquisition injected significant resources into the burgeoning mining operations. The company quickly expanded its workforce, employing 40 men. In January of the following year, construction commenced on railroad tracks connecting the Kenilworth mines to the Rio Grande Western Railroad at Spring Glen, a vital infrastructure project that would revolutionize the transportation of coal. By August 10, 1907, the Independent Coal & Coke Company celebrated a major milestone, shipping its first coal shipment over the newly constructed railroad, utilizing a leased Rio Grande Western locomotive.
With the mining operations firmly established, the Independent Coal & Coke Company turned its attention to developing a townsite to support its workforce. In 1908, the company secured 160 acres of land and began laying out the plans for a community. The town was christened Kenilworth, a name inspired by the perceived resemblance of the three peaks surrounding the coal camp to the famed 12th-century Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, England. By March 1908, the Kenilworth Mine was producing approximately 300 tons of coal per day. Just six months later, in September, production had doubled to 600 tons per day, struggling to keep pace with the ever-increasing demand.
In October 1908, the company secured a lucrative contract to supply naval ships with coal, leading to the recruitment of an additional 30 men. As the workforce expanded, the town rapidly evolved from a collection of tents to a more permanent settlement. Boarding houses replaced temporary shelters, and several cottages were constructed to accommodate families. The town gained essential amenities, including a coffeehouse and a Boy Scout Hall, which also served as a venue for dances and social gatherings, and, notably, a saloon. Education was also prioritized, with school initially held in a small house before a formal school building was erected across the street. Students attended this school up to the eighth grade, after which they were transported to Spring Glen and Price to complete their junior and senior high school education.
By 1910, Kenilworth had transformed into a thriving community with a population of approximately 500 residents. The town boasted a post office, a restaurant, a hotel, a general store, and a dedicated school, providing essential services and amenities to its growing population.
Coal production for the company experienced consistent growth from its inception in 1907 to 1912. Production had increased to some 411,661 tons per year (or about 1,372 tons per day for a standard 300-day year). Beginning in 1912, the company began to operate its own generators, replacing the former steam power it had generated from burning coal. The following year, Kenilworth achieved a remarkable feat, producing a record 2,339 tons of coal in a single day in March 1913. While production fluctuated over the next four years, the mine continued to be a significant contributor to the region’s economy. On December 31, 1917, record production occurred again when 2,831 tons came out of the combined Kenilworth and Aberdeen openings.
By 1917, the Kenilworth mine was connected to the Utah Power and Light system, further modernizing its operations. Two years later, in 1919, the mine’s workforce unionized, reflecting the growing labor movement and the desire for improved working conditions.
By 1920, Kenilworth‘s population had swelled to approximately 800 residents, prompting the company to expand the townsite with a new residential section. Housing options varied, with some homes featuring a simple two-room, shotgun-style layout, while the majority were four-room bungalows. Company managers enjoyed a privileged lifestyle, residing in more substantial homes situated high on the hill in an area known as "Silk Stocking Row."
In the early 1930s, the mine continued to thrive, and Kenilworth saw further development, including the construction of a new hospital, tennis courts, and additional homes. During World War II, the mining company prospered, achieving annual coal production exceeding one million tons. However, the war years also brought tragedy. On March 14, 1945, a devastating coal dust explosion ripped through the mine, resulting in significant loss of life and injury.
The explosion claimed the lives of three miners instantly, and nine more were injured. Of these injured miners, three succumbed to their injuries within a week, and another passed away a few weeks later. The dust blast was attributed to a broken direct current power line, with the arc from the break igniting the highly flammable coal dust.
In 1947, Kenilworth reached its peak population of 1,050 residents, a testament to the mine’s success and the town’s appeal as a place to live and work. However, the boom years were not destined to last. In the 1950s, coal production began to decline, signaling a shift in the industry and the challenges that lay ahead for Kenilworth. In 1961, the Independent Coal and Coke Company acquired the Utah Fuel Company holdings and merged the Kenilworth and Castle Gate No. 2 mines into a single operational entity, aiming to streamline operations and improve efficiency. On March 8, 1968, the Independent Coal & Coke Company corporation was dissolved, marking the end of an era for the town.
The surface workings and tipple at Kenilworth were gradually dismantled, a stark reminder of the mine’s diminishing role. By 1983, the old mining operation site was designated as a reclamation site, with plans calling for the demolition of all remaining facilities and the restoration of the mining site to its undeveloped condition. The reclamation work was completed by late 1984.
By 1990, Kenilworth‘s population had dwindled to 350. Today, the small residential community is home to approximately 180 people. Despite its reduced size, Kenilworth retains a unique charm and offers its residents a spectacular view of the valleys and mountains to the west.
Kenilworth is located along State Route 157, north of the city of Price and 4.7 miles east of Helper, Utah. While the coal mines that once defined its existence are gone, the spirit of Kenilworth lives on, a testament to the resilience of its residents and the enduring legacy of its mining past.