Lucin, Utah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucin, Utah
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 Lucin, Utah
Location in Utah
Lucin, Utah
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Box Elder |
| Founded | Late 19th century |
| Abandoned | 1990s |
| Named for | Lucina subanta |
| Elevation | 4,478 ft (1,365 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1437627 |
Lucin (also called Umbria Junction) is a small railroad town in Box Elder County, Utah. It is found on the western side of the Great Salt Lake. Lucin is about 162 miles (261 km) northwest of Salt Lake City.
The town was first left empty in 1936. But then, four retired railroad workers and their families moved there from 1937 to 1972. Later, in the 1990s, four new owners lived there. Today, Lucin is mostly a ghost town.
Contents
History of Lucin
Lucin started in the late 1800s. It was first built about 10 miles (16 km) north of where it is now. Its main purpose was to be a "water stop" for steam locomotives. These trains needed water to make steam and move.
Moving the Town
In 1903, the town was moved to its current spot. This was to help with the Lucin Cutoff. The Lucin Cutoff was a new railroad path across the Great Salt Lake. Most people living in Lucin worked for the Central and Southern Pacific Railroad companies.
Lucin Becomes a Ghost Town
By 1936, the town was left empty. No one lived there for a short time. Then, from 1937 to 1972, a group of four retired railroad workers and their families moved in. After they left, Lucin was empty again for a while.
New Life in Lucin
In 1997, a man named Ivo Zdarsky bought Lucin. He is an inventor who makes airplane propellers. He moved there and started his research work.
Wildlife in the Area
The land around Lucin is important for wildlife. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources helps to protect songbirds and other animals that live or pass through the area.
How Lucin Got Its Name
The town was named after a local fossil. This fossil is a type of bivalve (a sea creature with two shells) called Lucina subanta.
Lucin Today
As of 2016, Lucin is mostly a ghost town. Ivo Zdarsky, one of the property owners, lives there sometimes. He uses the area for his IVOPROP Corp research.
Buildings in Lucin
Today, you can see an airplane hangar in Lucin. This building is also used as a home and a workshop. Next to it is an unpaved landing strip for planes. There are also smaller buildings for water, fuel, and power.
Rockhounding in Lucin
The Lucin area is a popular place for rockhounds. These are people who enjoy looking for interesting rocks and minerals. They often search for a special green mineral called variscite. It is also known as utahlite or lucinite.
Sun Tunnels Art
Near Lucin, there is a large art project called the Sun Tunnels. Artist Nancy Holt created this artwork in 1976. It is made of huge concrete tunnels that line up with the sun during certain times of the year.
Climate
Lucin has a semi-arid climate. This means it is usually dry, but not a true desert. It gets some rain, but not a lot.
