Posted in Utah January 25, 2022 by

A Paper Mill Was Built And Left To Decay At The Mouth Of A Utah Canyon

There are ghost towns and abandoned buildings scattered all around the Beehive State. However, out of all these buildings, the Cottonwood Paper Mill, located at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, is one of the most remarkable. This abandoned building has quite a history that dates back to the 1800s. Unfortunately, today, it just sits empty with dozens of stories left untold.

In Cottonwood Heights, at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, is the Cottonwood Paper Mill. This building was completed in the 1880s by the Deseret News Corporation.
Scott Gauvin/Flickr
Henry Grow was the architect and builder of this remarkable building. This paper mill was made using granite found in nearby quarries and it took three years to build.
Charles Roscoe Savage/Wikimedia Commons
Equipment for the Cottonwood Paper Mill was purchased from the Sugarhouse Paper Mill and by using lumber from nearby canyons and old clothing, the mill produced up to five tons of paper a day. Most of this paper was used for publishing the Deseret News, Utah’s first newspaper.
Scott Gauvin/Flickr
In 1892, the Cottonwood Paper Mill was sold and became the Granite Paper Mill. Unfortunately, on April 1, 1893, the mill caught on fire.
Scott Gauvin/Flickr
Many workers who heard the fire alarm that day thought it was an April Fools' Day joke and ignored it. Before they realized the reality of the situation, the fire had grown out of control.
For years following the fire, the paper mill sat empty. Many individuals even tried to renovate the old building but after some time, the building was once again abandoned.
Scott Gauvin/Flickr
The building was officially condemned in 2005 and today, the public is not allowed access onto the property. It is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Scott Gauvin/Flickr
The paper mill draws a lot of attention as many Utahns believe it is haunted. There are numerous ghost stories circulating about this abandoned paper mill in Utah.
Scott Gauvin/Flickr
Some people claim the old paper mill is haunted by two spirits and a dog who were burned in a fire. Others say an old caretaker who died on the property also wanders around the building.

Do you believe this building to be haunted or have you heard of any ghost stories involving this abandoned paper mill in Utah? If so, we’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Do you love all things creepy? If so, check out this road trip to some of the most creepy and haunted places in Utah.

Address: 6900 S Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121, USA