Castleton, Utah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Castleton, Utah
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 Castleton, Utah
Location in Utah
Castleton, Utah
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Grand |
| Established | c. 1880 |
| Vacated | 1967 |
| Elevation | 5,896 ft (1,797 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1439525 |
Castleton is a ghost town located in Grand County, Utah, in the United States. A ghost town is a place where people used to live and work, but now almost no one does. Castleton is found in a beautiful area called Castle Valley.
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Where is Castleton Located?
This old community is on the La Sal Mountain Loop Road. It is about 18 miles (29 km) northeast of Moab. The closest town where people live today is Castle Valley. This town is about 6 miles (10 km) to the northwest.
The Story of Castleton
Early Days and Gold Mining
In the 1860s, a short-lived gold mining camp was here. People tried to find gold in the streams. Later, a prospector named Doby Brown settled here. This was in the late 1870s or early 1880s. A prospector is someone who explores for valuable minerals.
By 1882, enough people lived in Castleton to open a post office. This was an important step for the community.
The Gold Rush and Growth
In 1888, a local gold rush started nearby at Miners Basin. A gold rush happens when many people quickly move to an area to find gold. Castleton became a very important supply town for these miners.
The town had many businesses. There was a general store where people could buy supplies. It also had a hotel for visitors. There were two saloons and other shops. At its busiest in 1895, Castleton had more people than Moab. When Grand County was formed in 1890, Castleton even tried to become the county seat. The county seat is the main town where the government offices are.
Decline and Becoming a Ghost Town
The Panic of 1907 was a financial crisis. It caused the mines in the area to close down. After this, only ranchers lived in Castleton. By 1910, most businesses were gone. Only the post office remained open. The number of people living there dropped to just 50.
By 1930, only six people lived in Castleton. A few people stayed in the town for many years. But in 1967, the local government officially declared Castleton no longer an occupied town. This is how Castleton became a true ghost town.
Castleton's Climate
Castleton has a semi-arid climate. This means it is usually dry, but not a desert. It gets some rain, but not a lot.
