Keetley, Utah facts for kids
Keetley was once a small town in northeastern Wasatch County, Utah, United States. Today, it is known as a ghost town because it no longer exists. Much of the original town site is now covered by the waters of the Jordanelle Reservoir.
Where Was Keetley?
Keetley was located in a beautiful area of Utah. It was found along what used to be U.S. Route 40. This road was an important route through the state. The town was north of another former town called Hailstone.
Keetley's Story
Keetley started as a small camp for miners. It was first called Camp Florence. This name honored the first woman to visit the camp. Later, it became a station for the famous Pony Express. It also grew into a center for mining and the lumber industry.
As the camp grew into a town, its name was changed. It was renamed after Jack Keetley. He was a brave Pony Express rider. He also worked as a mining supervisor in the area.
In 1995, the town of Keetley was covered by water. This happened when the Jordanelle Reservoir was created. Other nearby towns, like Hailstone and Jordanelle, were also submerged.
The Keetley Farm Colony
During World War II, Keetley became home to many Japanese-Americans. They moved there from other parts of the country. This move was part of a special program.
A man named Fred Isamu Wada had an idea. He asked the mayor of Keetley, George Fisher, about leasing land. He wanted to bring Japanese farm workers to the area. At first, some people were unsure. But soon, they saw that these new residents would help the community.
A large farm was created. It was about 150 acres in size. Workers put in a lot of effort to clear the land. They removed many rocks to make it ready for farming. The women and children cared for animals like chickens, pigs, and goats. The men worked hard farming sugar beets.
This farming community lasted until the end of World War II. After the war, most of the families returned to their homes in California. Others moved to different towns in Utah.
New Homes in the Area
Even though Keetley is gone, the area around it is growing. It is close to the popular ski town of Park City. It is also near the Jordanelle Reservoir.
Today, new homes and resorts are being built. These include large developments like Hideout Canyon and Deer Mountain. In 2008, a new town called Hideout was officially formed in this area.
