Standardville, Utah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Standardville
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The coal storage unit in Standardville
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 Standardville
Location in Utah
Standardville
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Carbon |
| Founded | 1912 |
| Abandoned | 1970s |
| Named for | The "standard" for all mining towns to follow |
| Elevation | 6,739 ft (2,054 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1437692 |
Standardville is a ghost town located in Carbon County, Utah, United States. It was founded in 1912 after coal was discovered nearby. The town was so well-planned and organized that it became a model for other mining towns. This is how it got its name, Standardville, meaning it set the "standard" for others to follow.
Life in Standardville was not always easy. In 1922, there was a conflict during a strike by miners. A mine guard died and two miners were hurt. Later, in 1930, a terrible mine explosion happened. This accident, caused by carbon monoxide gas, killed 20 miners. The mine eventually closed in 1950, and most people moved away. A few families stayed until the 1970s, when Standardville became completely abandoned.
Contents
Standardville's Early Days
Standardville was created in 1912 when coal was found in Spring Canyon. The town was carefully planned with nice lawns, bushes, and poplar trees. This careful planning made it the "standard" for other coal mining towns in the area. That is why it was named Standardville.
What Was Life Like in Standardville?
As more people moved to Standardville, the town grew. It soon had many important buildings and services. There was a company store where people could buy supplies. There were also several apartment buildings, a butcher shop, and a barber shop. The town even had a hospital, a recreation hall, tennis courts, and an elementary school. At its busiest time, about 550 people lived in Standardville.
Challenges and Accidents
Even though Standardville was known for being well-planned, it still faced problems. On June 14, 1922, some miners went on strike. They had a conflict with a train carrying new miners. During this event, a mine guard died and two other people were hurt.
A very serious accident happened on February 6, 1930. An explosion, caused by firedamp gas, occurred in the Standard mine. Out of 29 miners working that day, 20 died right away. Rescue workers tried to save the nine survivors. Sadly, during the rescue, a cave-in killed three more people. The nine original survivors were able to escape. This explosion was a huge tragedy for the town, but the community kept going.
The End of Standardville
After World War II ended, people needed less coal. This meant the mine in Standardville struggled to make enough money to pay its workers. To try and save the mine, miners even worked just for food. But this was not enough. The mine went bankrupt and was taken over by a bank.
Why Did the Mine Close?
Another coal mining company bought the mine, and coal shipments started again a few months later. By 1948, the Spring Canyon Coal Company was running the mine. However, in 1950, the mine closed for good. As the miners moved away to find new jobs, the shops, hospital, and school in Standardville also closed down. Even so, two families continued to live in the town until the 1970s. After they left, Standardville became a true ghost town.
What's Left of Standardville Today?
Today, you can still see some parts of Standardville. The large structure that stored coal, called a coal tipple, has mostly fallen apart. But the main coal storage unit is still there. You can also find many old foundations of buildings.
Exploring the Ruins
At the top of a hill, you can see the bath house. This was where miners would wash up and change their clothes after working in the mine. Beyond the bath house, you can find the remains of the Standard Mine itself. Old railroad tracks, which once belonged to the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, end right in the town. Because the ruins are close to the road, some of them have graffiti. The town is now fenced off as private property, but you can still see most of the old buildings from the road.
Images for kids
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Miners bath house
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A mining truck shop
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A couple buildings
