November 18, 2024
Galena Days was an important celebration for the residents of the now vanished towns of Bingham Canyon. It was a celebration that is still remembered with great fondness by the former residents of the old mining towns. So, what is Galena and what were Galena Days all about?
Galena is the primary mineral of lead (Cordua n.d.) and the primary ore body of the successful Jordan and Galena mines established in Bingham Canyon in 1863. The mines were located near the town of Copperfield (aka Upper Bingham prior to 1914) in Highland Gulch (renamed Galena Gulch after 1900) (Strack 2022).
Galena Days was a multi-day celebration, the purpose of which was to remember the bygone days of Bingham Canyon and pay respect to those who made Bingham Canyon and its mine world famous. Old timers from the mining communities were the honored guests (Bingham Bulletin [BB] 21 July 1939a:1).
The First Galena Days Celebration 1939
The first Galena Days celebration was held on September 29 and 30, 1939 (BB 28 July 1939:1). The celebration served as a homecoming for former residents and events included a Miss Galena contest, dances, parades, band music, football games, boxing, refreshments, races, tennis matches, muck loading competition, rock drilling contest, ladies nail driving event, beard-growing contest, a Kangaroo court, and the dedication of the new high school auditorium and stadium in Copperton (BB 21 July 1939b:1; Salt Lake Tribune [SLTR] 17 September 1939:B3). All men were expected to sport beards, and those that did not were rounded-up by “vigilantes” and hauled before the Kangaroo court where they were required to pay a small fine (SLTR 17 September 1939:B3).
Vigilantes. Back row (L-R) S. J. Granquist, Harvey Wolfe, H. R. Gust, and Bill Motis, Front row (L-R) Bob Garrison, John Stanuga, and Wesley Barton (SLTR 17 September 1939:B3).
To participate in the Miss Galena contest, entrants—or for that matter any resident of Bingham Canyon who wanted to nominate someone—needed to fill out an entry form found in the newspaper and deliver it, along with a photograph (used for judging), to Dale Johnston, general chairman of Galena Days. The contest was not the typical beauty contest with a talent and swimsuit competition, nor would the public have a voice in the process. Miss Galena and her two attendants would be chosen by a group of judges from out-of-town (to ensure impartiality). The judges would choose the “most regal, charming, and beautiful girl in Bingham Canyon,” who was between 17 and 25 years of age and single. The winners were considered Galena Days royalty, with Miss Galena often being referred to as Queen or Queen Galena and her two attendants referred to as Princess Copper and Princess Silver. The young women were to be residents of Bingham Canyon, Copperfield, Highland Boy, or Copperton. (BB 28 July 1939:1). The residency requirements were expanded in the following years, as evidenced by Miss Elva Crump of Lark, Utah being chosen as an attendant in both 1940 and 1941 (BB 30 August 1940:1; BB 19 September 1941:5; BB 28 July 1944:1). Also held in conjunction with the first Galena Days was the dedication ceremony for the newly completed Bingham to Copperfield vehicular tunnel (Salt Lake Telegram [SLT] 20 July 1939:7).
Application for Miss Galena (BB 28 July 1939:1).
Winners of the first Miss Galena contest were announced at the Princess Theatre (BB 18 August 1939:6); they were Katherine Keller, Miss Galena, and her two attendants Agnes McDonald and Helen Morris (SLT 14 September 1939:22).
Prizes awarded to the winners included a famous name-brand, $45 wristwatch for Miss Galena and a compact and a handbag for each of the attendants. In addition, each received parade attire, which they wore during the parade held on September 29, and a western outfit, which was worn during various events and while making the rounds to the surrounding towns, clubs, and organizations (BB 18 August 1939:6).
Dale Johnston, the general chairman of the event, declared the 1939 celebration a success and announced that Galena Days would become a yearly event (SLT 12 October 1939:11).
The first Miss Galena and her attendants: (L-R) Attendants Agnes McDonald and Helen Morris, Miss Galena Katherine Keller (SLT 14 September 1939:22).
Miss Galena 1939, Katherine (Kay) Keller (SLTR 17 September 1939:B3).
Princess Theatre offers free picture show “Five Came Back” during Galena Days (BB 22 September 1939:5).
Galena Days 1940 to 1941
The Galena Days Celebration was held again in 1940 and 1941. The 1940 Miss Galena was Eugenie Massa. Her attendants were Princess Copper Betty Barnett and Princess Silver Elva Crump (BB 30 August 1940:1). During the 1940 celebration, the Princess Theatre was proudly advertising that its motion picture coverage of the celebration would be in color (BB 6 September 1940:8).
The Miss Galena for the year 1941 was Lorraine Caulfield. Her attendants were Princess Copper Elva Crump and Princess Silver Phyllis Huffman (BB 19 September 1941:5). Note that the year before, in 1940, Elva Crump was Princess Silver.
Miss Galena and her attendants 1940, (Top) Miss Galena Eugenia Massa, (Mid) Princess Copper Betty Barnett, (Bottom) Princess Silver Elva Crump (BB 30 August 1940:1).
Princess Theatre advertises color cameras, 1940 (BB 6 September 1940:8).
Hillam Costume advertises Galena Day costumes 1941 (BB 5 September 1941:8).
Miss Galena and her attendants 1941. (Top) Princess Copper Elva Crump, (Bottom) Princess Silver Phyllis Huffman, (Right) Miss Galena Lorraine Caulfield (BB 19 September 1941:5).
The War Years (World War II) 1942-1944
Unfortunately, world events brought Galena Days to a halt. The priorities of Americans changed when the United States entered World War II in December 1941; now the communities focused on supporting the men and women sent overseas to fight the war.
In 1942, Bingham’s Junior Chamber of Commerce announced that Galena Days would not be held. In lieu of the celebration, a dance was held, and Virginia Baros was named Miss Galena to rule over the event. Attendants were Princess Copper Oreta Sorenson and Princess Silver Lois Larsen (BB 14 August 1942:1; SLTR 12 October 1942:16). In 1943, a dance once again replaced the Galena Days celebration (SLTR 25 September 1943:11), but instead of electing a royal court to preside over the dance, it was decided that three women would be honored at the dance; one who represented old-timers, one who represented the war effort at home, and one who represented all mothers who had children serving in the military. The three women honored were Mrs. C. E. Adderley as a pioneer of Bingham, who was born in Bingham to pioneer miner John Hocking and his wife Elizabeth and was still a resident; Mrs. J. Dewey Knudsen for her leadership in the war effort; and Mrs. Charles F. Sullenger, who had four sons in the Navy (BB October 1, 1943:1,8; BB 31 December 1943:1).
The 1942 Honorees, Mrs. Charles F. Sullenger (left), Mrs. C. E. Adderley (center), and Mrs. J. Dewey Knudsen (right) (BB October 1, 1943:1).
The 1944 Galena Days was celebrated with another dance. A beard-growing contest was also held. As for Miss Galena, contestants could be drawn from Bingham Canyon, Copperton, Copperfield, Highland Boy, Lead Mine, and Lark (BB 28 July 1944:1). The 1944 Queen and attendants who ruled over the dance were: Miss Galena Lois Peterson and attendants Princess Copper Beth Cowdell and Princess Silver Adela Salazar (BB 8 September 1944:1).
Galena Days 1945
In 1945, after the Allies’ victory over the Axis powers, the Galena Days celebration was back. The new Queen, Beth Cowdell and her attendants, Sybil Archibald and Adela Salazar, ruled over the Galena Days celebration (BB 31 August 1945:1).
Miss Galena 1945 Beth Cowdell (BB 31 August 1945:1).
Vigilantes get their beards pulled by Miss Galena entrants Sybil Archibald (left, future 1945 attendant) and Rose Camara (right). Vigilantes are Dale Johnston (left) and Dan Delaney (right), 1945 (SLTR 24 August 1945:22).
Galena Days 1946
In 1946, the Galena Days celebration was postponed until 1947. The reason for the postponement is not known. There does not appear to have been any substitute events scheduled (BB 23 August 1946:1).
Galena Days 1947
The 1947 Galena Days celebration was, for the first time, a three-day event. The Royal Court comprised Queen Joyce Miller, Princess Copper Jeanne Willis, and Princess Silver June Gammell (Deseret News [DN] 25 September 1947:10). The contestants were judged on character, poise, pioneer heritage, general appearance, and the availability for public appearances (DN 13 March 1947:11).
1947 Galena Days Royalty, Queen Joyce Miller (center), Princess Silver Erma June Gammell (left), and Princess Copper Jeanne Willis (right) (DN 25 September 1947:10).
Princess Silver Erma June Gammell, was involved in a head-on collision in West Jordan, Utah on August 6, 1947. The driver, Gammell, and the other passengers (all from Copperton) were treated in Midvale for minor scrapes and bruises. The passenger of the other car was sent to the hospital in Salt Lake City for major cuts and back injuries. He was reported to be in “fairly good condition” (SLTR 7 August 1947:13).
Burt Anderson (right) is brought before Judge Herb Gust (left) for not sporting a beard. Vigilante W. C. Ray (center) made the arrest (DN 24 September 1947:11).
Galena Days 1948 and 1949
In 1948, a dance was held in lieu of Galena Days. Attendees were asked to appear in their old Galena Days costumes (BB 27 August 1948:1).
A Galena Days celebration did not occur in 1949, but one was planned for 1950, an event that would be sponsored by the Bingham Canyon Lions Club (SLTR 22 September 1949:15).
Galena Days 1950
After a two-year hiatus, 1950 saw the resurrection of Galena Days. The event was sponsored by the Bingham Canyon Lions Club and was a four-day event held in August instead of September (SLT 9 March 1950:6). Despite an advertisement that suggested that Queen Galena and the Princesses would be chosen by popular vote, a panel of judges still selected the Galena Days Royalty (DN 5 April 1950:A15).
The Galena Days Royalty for 1950 was Queen Bonnie Bithell, and her two attendants Princess Copper Margy Isbell and Princess Silver Ria Armitstead. The selection of the royal court in May coincided with the Bingham Liberty Bell bond drive. The bond drive sold $53,600 worth of United States savings bonds, breaking Bingham’s self-imposed goal of $53,137.50. The highlight of the drive was the ringing of a replica Liberty Bell by Galena Days royalty. The Bingham Liberty Bell was one of 52 bells donated to the government by the copper industry, including Utah’s Kennecott Copper Corporation, American Smelting and Refining Company, and International Smelting and Refining Company. The bell was later presented to Utah Governor J. Bracken Lee (SLTR 15 May 1950:15).
Twenty-two young women vied for the title of Miss Galena in 1950 (BB 12 May 1950:10).
1950’s Queen Galena Bonnie Bithell (center), Princess Copper Margy Isbell (left), and Princess Silver Ria Armitstead (right) (SLTR 15 May 1950:15).
Bingham Mayor makes proclamation (BB 16 June 1950:1).
Full-page Galena Days Program 1950. Picture at top left features Queen Galena (R), Princes Silver (center), and Princess Copper (L) (BB 25 August 1950:13).
Galena Days 1951, 1952, and 1953
The Galena Days celebration did not occur in 1951, 1952, or 1953. In 1951, the Bingham Bulletin carried a brief mention of the celebration in its financial statement for 1950 (BB 26 January 1951:5). In 1952, instead of a celebration, pictures of the 1950 Galena Days were shown at the Bingham Volunteer Fire Department meeting (BB 25 January 1952:1). Galena Days was also not celebrated in 1953, but on a happier note, Bonnie Jean Bithell, the 1950 Queen married Ashley T. Carpenter (SLTR 26 May 1953:16).
The Golden Jubilee 1954
The 1954 Galena Days was a three-day celebration held in August (BB 16 April 1954:1). The celebration was dubbed the Golden Jubilee Galena Days (BB 27 August 1954:3). because it marked the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Bingham Canyon, the founding of the Bingham Volunteer Fire Department, and the formation of the Kennecott Copper Corporation, Utah Copper Division (BB 27 August 1954:7).
Vigilantes and Galena Days Royalty pose in front of Kangaroo Court Jail 1954 (BB 27 August 1954:3).
1954 Galena Days Royalty: Queen Galena Lucy Zanardi (center), Princess Copper Lela Coca (left) and Princess Silver Colleen Mannion (right) (BB 27 August 1954:3).
The Last Galena Days Celebration 1957
After a two-year break, the Galena Days Celebration returned in 1957, in what was to be the last celebration of its kind. The two-day celebration, sponsored by the Bingham Canyon Lions Club, occurred on September 13 and 14. It was the usual celebration, ruled over by Galena Days Royalty, including Queen Joe Ann Anderson and her two attendants, Princess Copper Pauline Pantalone and Princess Silver Joan Arritola. Highlights included the mucking and spike driving contests and the beard-growing contests. Prizes in the beard-growing contest were given for the reddest, the blackest, the whitest, the biggest, and the best trimmed. There were approximately twenty entries in the Saturday afternoon parade. Dances were held both nights at the Civic Center, both starting at 10:00 pm. The Gay Rancheros orchestra played Friday night and the Lakin Trio provided the music for Saturday evening (BB 13 September 1957:1).
1957 Queen Galena Joe Ann Anderson (center), Princess Copper Pauline Pantalone (left), and Princess Silver Joan Arritola (right) (BB 2 August 1957:1).
Queen Galena Joe Ann Anderson (center) agrees that R. C. Thayer (left) and Charles Zahos tied for the biggest beards (SLTR 14 September 1957:18).
In summary, the first Galena Days celebration was held in 1939 in conjunction with the opening of the Bingham to Copperfield vehicular tunnel. The event was a great success, and it was announced that the celebration would become an annual event. The years 1940 and 1941 saw the second and third Galena Days celebration, but World War II put a damper on additional celebrations until 1945, when the Allies achieved victories over the Axis powers. The event was held sporadically after 1945. The last four celebrations were held in 1947, 1950, 1954, and the last in 1957. To the inhabitants of Bingham Canyon and the nearby surrounding areas, Galena Days provided a way for the citizens to celebrate their mining history and to share this history with outsiders, socialize with friends and neighbors, get re-acquainted with old friends, and celebrate major events.
Credits
Grant Fahrni, Logan Simpson
