Gallows Frame
The picture above overlooks
the "mine" section of South Park City. Besides the
distinctive sillouette of the Gallows Frame, the exhibits include
an authentic Arrastra (an earlier ore crusher), an Assay Office
(where an ore's grade and value could be determined), and a mining
display which includes a steam engine, stamp mill and crushing
mill.
The Gallows Frame was
the popular name for a mine's "Head Frame, the large timber
structure seen at the top of the hill in the picture above. No;
it was not used for hanging criminals, but from a distance could
be mistaken for that purpose. No doubt this is how it got its
name. This particular Gallows Frame was used in operation of
the Phillips Gold Mine discovered in 1859, and located in Buckskin
Gulch, two miles west of Alma. The frame was used to support
the cable and pulleys used for lowering and raising the ore buckets
in the mine shaft. The miners would also use the buckets for
entering and leaving the mine.
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