How the past lingers in these Utah ghost towns

The Beehive State is full of complex stories of settlement, some inspiring, some a little unsavory; some tales of grit and perseverance turned to boom and bust. During the 1800s and early 1900s, settlers flocked to Utah hoping for religious freedom, agricultural opportunities and mining and railroad riches.

But towns that sprang up overnight were sometimes abandoned just as quickly. Even after people left and moved on, the crumbling streets and cemeteries whisper with echoes of the past. Some even say the spirits of former residents linger in these abandoned towns across Utah.

Grafton, Washington County

It’s no wonder Grafton is one of the most photographed ghost towns out West. The remarkably well-preserved homes rest near Zion National Park with gorgeous views of the Virgin River. First settled in 1859, it was quickly abandoned due to repeated flooding and being plagued by illness and conflict.

If Grafton looks like a movie set to you, that’s because it was — kind of. One of the abandoned homes was used in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” Legend also has it that spirits wander the abandoned town. There have been reports of paranormal activity among the cemetery’s unmarked graves, hints of children crying near an old tree swing and indistinguishable whispers in basements.

Thistle, Utah County

Utah is a geologic wonderland, but sometimes that wonder creates chaos. The state’s steep slopes are perfect for skiing, but those same slopes can become unstable with excess rain or snow, creating the ideal condition for landslides. And it was a particularly wet fall and winter that triggered the infamous 1983 Thistle landslide.

Thistle had nearly 100 years under its belt as a significant rail junction for the transportation of coal and other minerals. The landslide caused the Spanish Fork River to dam and flood, destroying nearly everything.

Luckily, no lives were lost, but it was a blow to the rail ties between Denver and Salt Lake City. It was so devastating that it became the first presidential disaster declaration for the state, with damages exceeding $200 million — the most expensive landslide in U.S. history.

You can spot the railroad turned ghost town just off the Spanish Fork Canyon highway. While there isn’t much left to see, it’s worthwhile to check out the eerie remnants, like a home mostly submerged in water, that remind us of the true forces of nature.

Frisco, Beaver County

Though the town of Frisco was once the largest settlement in the southern Utah territory, with around 6,000 people, it was abandoned in 1929. Before it was left to the elements, the old mining town was once rich with silver, saloons, brothels and crime. It has been said a murder a day happened and a wagon was regularly hired to remove bodies — a place believed by some to be so wicked it was once compared to Sodom and Gomorrah.

If the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil, Frisco was head over heels. The profits from silver and mineral mining were massive. Over $20 million worth of ore was extracted in the 1880s alone, and around $60 million worth was extracted overall.

But fate decided to turn that upside down. In early 1885, the most profitable portion — the Horn Silver Mine — collapsed. The mine’s collapse subsequently led to the collapse of Frisco itself, until it was completely abandoned by 1920.

The town, with its old mining equipment and beehive-shaped charcoal kilns, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But with or without that recognition, reports from tourists and paranormal seekers suggest any unsettling feelings while walking through the remnants could be the hauntings from a violent past.

Old Iron Town

West of Cedar City is Old Iron Town — a town with a short-lived mining success story. Brigham Young, the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the time, directed several families in the 1850s to attempt iron manufacturing in the area. But the town was only prosperous for around seven years due to a lack of proper transportation for the ore.

The town leaves behind a few ruins and a beehive kiln, and was also added to the National Register of Historic Places. Outdoor enthusiasts will love visiting Old Iron Town for the popular recreation areas nearby. Within the town, there is a nature trail with historic markers, and nearby are the Cone climbing area, the Lion’s Mouth Cave and the petroglyph site.

Have you visited any of these ghost towns? What were your impressions? Have you visited other abandoned places across the state that deserve a mention? Leave a comment and let us know!