Northrop, Utah facts for kids

Northrop was once a small town in Washington County, Utah. It was started in 1861 by a person named Isaac Behunin. This town was special because it was built right where two parts of the Virgin River met. Northrop was part of a bigger plan to grow cotton in the area.

Sadly, Northrop did not last long. It was completely destroyed in 1862 by a huge flood. This flood was one of the biggest ever recorded in the Western United States. After the flood, the people who lived in Northrop moved. They found new land nearby that was higher up and safer from floods. This new place eventually became the town of Springdale.

What Happened to Northrop?

Northrop was founded in 1861. It was located at a place called the "confluence." This means where the North Fork and East Fork of the Virgin River joined together. The settlers came to this area to grow cotton. Growing cotton was an important goal for the people living in Utah at that time.

However, in 1862, a massive flood hit the region. This event is known as the Great Flood of 1862. The flood was so powerful that it washed away the entire settlement of Northrop. The town was just beginning to grow when it was destroyed.

Northrop's Location Today

Today, there is nothing left of Northrop. The exact spot where it stood is still at the meeting point of the North and East Forks of the Virgin River. It is on the east side of the river, not far from another old town site called Grafton. Because the town was completely wiped out by the flood, you won't find any buildings or ruins there now. It truly became a ghost town very quickly after it was founded.