Most People Have Long Forgotten About This Vacant Ghost Town In Rural Utah
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Utah’s abandoned towns are fascinating bits of history. Long ago, people worked, played and lived out their lives in these towns, and it’s easy to imagine their stories. Here’s a little town that’s not quite completely vacant…but it’s definitely far from its original glory.
It's named for E.W. Thompson, who owned the sawmill in the area.
A passenger stop was added in 1883, which brought a bit of prosperity to the town.
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After coal was discovered nearby, the town became a bit larger, and soon included a school and restaurant. More people built their homes here.
In 1955, the railroad began using diesel engines, which didn't require water stops. In 1957, Interstate-70 was built, bypassing the town. Without the business of people traveling through the area, the restaurant and shops suffered. By the 1980s, only a handful of families remained. In 1994, Amtrak discontinued the train stop in Thompson Springs.
Though the latest census still shows about 39 people living in Thompson Springs, it's mostly abandoned, and all that remains are some vacant buildings that stand as reminders of a once thriving, rural town.
Do you know anyone who grew up in Thompson Springs? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments!
If you’re interested in Utah history, you might enjoy reading about this avalanche in Bingham Canyon that devastated a community in 1926.
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