County
Summit
Year Built
Headframe/Hoist House completed 1937; Thaynes Shaft completed 1939
Architect
Silver King Coalition Mines Company
National Register?
Yes, within the Silver King Mining District, listed on the National Register in 1978, and within the Silver King Coalition Mine National Historic District designated in December 2024.
Status
Endangered: Monitoring
Status Explanation
Work to stabilize and restore the Thaynes Headframe Building is in progress. The Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History (FOSMMH) removed the collapsed roof and brought in an engineer, who determined that while some parts cannot be saved, others can be rebuilt. They are now developing design ideas and estimating costs. In August 2025, the Park City Historic Preservation Board approved an $18,000 grant. FOSMMH is working to raise $800,000 to restore the Thaynes headframe, hoist house, and nearby structures, with construction planned for 2026. Once finished, skiers at Park City Mountain and summer visitors will be able to see the shaft, the cages, and the historic skier subway exit. The project has strong organizational backing and funding for stabilization, but the full restoration is still in progress.
About the Threat
The Thaynes Headframe Building’s roof collapsed under about 12 feet of snow in the winter of 2022 to 2023. An engineer’s report from October 2025 found that while some parts of the building cannot be saved, others can be rebuilt. Since the collapse, the building has remained vacant and exposed. If the $800,000 restoration campaign is not fully funded and construction is not finished, the remaining historic parts will keep deteriorating. Because the building sits on an active ski mountain, getting there and doing construction is only possible during certain seasons and is logistically challenging.
Access
The Thaynes Headframe sits at Park City Mountain Resort near the Thaynes chairlift and can be reached by a dirt road. It is closed to the public while construction is underway. After restoration, skiers and summer visitors will be able to see the shaft, cages, and the historic skier subway exit.
History
The Thaynes Headframe sits at Park City Mountain Resort near the Thaynes chairlift and can be reached by a dirt road. It is closed to the public while construction is underway. After restoration, skiers and summer visitors will be able to see the shaft, cages, and the historic skier subway exit.
What can be done? What was learned?
FOSMMH is working hard to reach the $800,000 fundraising goal. Community members can also help by sharing the building’s remarkable history, especially the story of the underground skier subway, which is one of the most interesting parts of Park City’s preservation efforts.
What is the timeline?
FOSMMH plans to submit construction plans for permits and start rebuilding in 2026. The $800,000 fundraising campaign began in 2025. Construction could take place during the summer of 2026. A security system will be added once the work is finished.
What has been the public discussion?
News about the Thaynes Headframe restoration has appeared along with updates on the Silver King Coalition Mine restoration in the Park Record and KPCW throughout 2025. Both projects are managed by FOSMMH and use the same fundraising platform. The story of the underground skier subway has drawn special public interest. KPCW pointed out that old photos of skiers coming out of the elevator cage are some of the most powerful images in FOSMMH’s stories about the site. The $800,000 fundraising campaign, started in 2025, is the main way the public can get involved.
Links to more information and articles.
Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History / Park City Museum donations: https://parkcityhistory.org/product/donate-capital-campaign/
KPCW, July 30, 2025 — Thaynes and Silver King restoration progress: https://www.kpcw.org/park-city/2025-07-29/thaynes-silver-king-mines-opening-for-public-tours-after-restoration-work
Park Record, August 1, 2025 — FOSMMH stabilization work: https://www.parkrecord.com/2025/08/01/friends-of-ski-mountain-mining-history-projects-stabilize-structures-and-mining-history/
Park Record, October 24, 2025 — FOSMMH 10th anniversary: https://www.parkrecord.com/2025/10/24/friends-of-ski-mountain-mining-history-commemorates-10-years-of-preserving-park-citys-history/
Park Record, May 2024 — original Most Endangered listing coverage: https://www.parkrecord.com/2024/05/06/summit-county-dwellings-among-states-most-endangered-buildings-list-according-to-preservation-utah/