List of ghost towns in Utah facts for kids

A state map of Utah with each of the counties labeled

RI

CA

BE

TE

DA

WB

MN

SL

SU

DG

UN

CC

DU

WA

UT

JU

MD

SP

SE

EM

GR

SJ

WE

PT

BV

RN

GA

KN

WN

Have you ever heard of a ghost town? These are places where people used to live and work, but now they are mostly empty. Utah has many ghost towns, often left behind after mines closed or resources ran out. This article shares a list of some of these fascinating places in Utah.

What Makes a Town a Ghost Town?

Not all ghost towns are the same! Experts classify them based on how much is left of the original town. Here are the different types you might find:

Barren Sites: Almost Gone

A barren site is a ghost town that has almost completely disappeared. These towns might have been destroyed, covered by water, or turned back into open land. Sometimes, you can only find a few old foundations or footings left behind.

Neglected Sites: Falling Apart

A neglected site still has some buildings, but they are usually in very bad shape. You might see piles of rubble or buildings with no roofs. All the buildings are empty, and no one lives there anymore.

Abandoned Sites: Empty Buildings

In an abandoned site, many buildings and houses are still standing. However, they are all empty. Sometimes, there might be one or two buildings still in use, like an old church or a grocery store. Usually, no one lives there, except maybe a caretaker.

Semi-Abandoned Sites: A Few People Left

A semi-abandoned site is a town where most buildings are empty, but a few people still live there. The population has become very small. You will see many abandoned buildings mixed with a few homes that are still used.

Historic Communities: Smaller But Still Alive

A historic community is a town that was once much bigger and busier. Its population has dropped a lot, sometimes to less than one-fifth of what it used to be. Even though it is smaller, it is still an active community with people living and working there.

List of Utah Ghost Towns

Images for kids

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  Foundation left in Giles

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  The neglected ruins of Castle Gate are visible in the left of the picture

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  Cisco is abandoned now, but received a ZIP code in the 20th century

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  A store is one of the few buildings still in use at Colton

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  Eureka has significantly declined in population but is historically significant