Black Rock, Millard County, Utah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Black Rock, Utah
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 Black Rock, Utah
Location in Utah
Black Rock, Utah
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Millard |
| Founded | 1876 |
| Abandoned | 1959 |
| Elevation | 4,856 ft (1,480 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1425709 |
Black Rock is a fascinating place in southern Millard County, Utah. It's known as an unincorporated community, which means it's a small settlement without its own local government. Today, it's almost a ghost town, meaning most people have moved away. You can find it about 20 miles (32 km) north of Milford.
What Was Black Rock Like?
Black Rock was once a small but important stop along the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad. This railroad later became part of the Union Pacific Railroad. Being a train station made Black Rock a central spot for the few families living nearby in the late 1800s.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 61 | — | |
| 1910 | 52 | −14.8% | |
| 1920 | 41 | −21.2% | |
| 1930 | 72 | 75.6% | |
| 1940 | 46 | −36.1% | |
| 1950 | 19 | −58.7% | |
| Source: US Census Bureau | |||
The population numbers show how many people lived in Black Rock over the years. You can see it was always a small community. For example, in 1900, only 61 people lived there. By 1950, that number had dropped to just 19.
Why Did Black Rock Become a Ghost Town?
As time went on, especially in the 1900s, roads got better and more people started traveling by car. This meant that towns like Black Rock, which depended on the railroad, became less important. People could easily travel to bigger towns for supplies and services.
The post office in Black Rock, which helped connect the community, operated from 1891 until 1959. When it closed, it was another sign that the town was slowly fading away. Today, Black Rock is mostly a ghost town, though a few people still live in the area.
How Did Black Rock Get Its Name?
The town got its unique name from a cool rock formation nearby. It was likely a dark or "black" colored rock that stood out in the landscape.
