LLPOT 642 - Utah's Ghost Towns

At once sepulchral and historical, picturesque and mysterious, Utah's ghost towns are among the most plentiful in the West. Time, nature, and development have erased many fine historical markers, yet many remain, dotting the hills and valleys of Utah's deserts and rural lands. In the classroom, you'll learn what defines a ghost town, how Utah ghost towns are classified, and where to find these rich examples of our state's history. You'll see slides of representative mining, agricultural, and railroad towns, and discuss preservation and protection efforts. We'll then travel by van to Tooele County to see sites such as Ophir, Richville, Ajax, Iosepa, and several others up close and personal, and further discuss the history they represent. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen, water, a sack lunch, and your camera! Stephen is the author of The Historical Guide to Utah Ghost Towns, Utah Ghost Rails, and Holladay-Cottonwood Places and Faces. He is the historian and former member of the Board of Directors of the Heber Valley Railroad.