A Storied History: Bingham Canyon, Copperton & South Jordan

Bingham High School possesses one of the most distinctive histories of any public school in the American Intermountain West. Closely intertwined with the rise of the Utah Copper Company and Kennecott Copper Corporation, the school's heritage reflects the resilience, diversity, and industrious spirit of Utah's mining communities.

The Three Eras of Bingham High

1908 – Bingham Canyon Beginnings

Bingham High School was founded in 1908 as a branch of Jordan High School. Early classes were held in rooms above Canyon Hall in the bustling, multi-ethnic mining town of Bingham Canyon. Soon after, a dedicated school building was constructed in the canyon to educate the children of immigrant miners hailing from Greece, Italy, Serbia, Croatia, Japan, Mexico, and across the globe.

1931 – The Copperton High School Era

As the Bingham open-pit copper mine expanded, the Utah Copper Company developed Copperton in 1926 at the mouth of Bingham Canyon as an idyllic company "model town" with copper-accented brick homes. In 1931, a magnificent new Bingham High School campus opened in Copperton on land provided by the mining company. For 44 years, this building served as the beating heart of the community, where generations of Miners celebrated academic achievements and state athletics.

1975 – The Move to South Jordan

By the 1970s, the inexorable expansion of the Kennecott open-pit mine and rapid population growth in the southwestern Salt Lake Valley required a modern, expansive campus. In 1975, Bingham High School relocated to its current home at 2160 South Jordan Parkway in South Jordan, Utah. The former Copperton facility transitioned into a junior high school before closing in 2002, but its traditions, memories, and spirit carried directly into the modern high school.

Present Day – Over a Century of Miner Pride

Today, Bingham High School educates more than 2,000 students as a proud member of the Jordan School District and UHSAA 6A classification. While situated in suburban South Jordan, the school honors its roots daily through the Miner mascot, royal blue and white colors, and ceremonies recalling Bingham Canyon's copper legacy.

The Kennecott Connection & The Miner Identity

Few high schools in America have identities so closely tied to industrial heritage. The open-pit Bingham Canyon Mine (now operated by Rio Tinto Kennecott) is one of the largest man-made excavations on Earth. The student body adopted the name "Miners", and the student yearbook was christened The Coppertonian.

Every student who walks the halls of Bingham High shares in this century-long lineage of hardworking families who built the communities of Salt Lake County.

Historical Milestones at a Glance

Year	Milestone
1908	School established as a branch of Jordan High in Bingham Canyon.
1912	First independent high school facility constructed in Bingham Canyon.
1931	Relocated to the model company town of Copperton, Utah.
1975	New campus opened in South Jordan, Utah to serve the growing southwest valley.
1976	Inauguration of the "Pay Dirt Club" Hall of Fame.
2008	Bingham High School celebrated its Centennial Anniversary (1908–2008).