This Fascinating Utah Town Has Been Abandoned And Reclaimed By Nature For Decades Now
Abandoned places have a certain beauty about them. These destinations can take us back in time, even if nature is slowly reclaiming them. While there are several abandoned locations around the state that are more well-known than others, Spring Canyon, Utah is one that is often overlooked but worth discovering.
Spring Canyon was once a small mining town in Carbon County, near Helper. This town was established in 1912 and was originally known as Storrs.
Storrs was home to Spring Canyon Coal Company, which was founded by Jesse Knight. He purchased more than 1,600 acres in the area to develop the mine and even built dozens of houses for employees and their families.
As with similar other areas around the state, Storrs was a religious community with the majority of residents members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because of this, Knight banned the construction of saloons, gambling houses, and similar institutions.
In just a short time, the mine became quite successful and the town quickly grew. By the early 1920s, more than 1,000 residents lived in Storrs and the town was home to a plethora of businesses. Unfortunately, the man who the town was named after was charged with a crime, and the town changed its name to Spring Canyon.
By the 1940s, the mine became one of the largest producers of coal in Utah. However, demand began to decrease in the 1950s and the mine eventually shut down in 1969. Residents of the town left to find a better living, abandoning the area. By the late 1970s, most of the town was demolished and what was left sat empty.
Today, there is little left of Spring Canyon, Utah. However, the structures that remain provide just a small glimpse of Utah’s mining history and a look into a Utah community years ago.
