Sulphurdale, Utah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sulphurdale, Utah
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The abandoned mine office in Sulphurdale
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 Sulphurdale, Utah
Location in Utah
Sulphurdale, Utah
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Beaver |
| Founded | 1883 |
| Abandoned | 1970s |
| Named for | Sulfur |
| Elevation | 6,214 ft (1,894 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1446230 |
Sulphurdale is a ghost town located in Beaver County, Utah, in the United States. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and buildings are often empty. Sulphurdale was first settled in 1870. However, serious mining work did not start until 1883.
The town grew to include homes, a school, a store, and offices for the mining company. Even with a lot of mining happening, it was hard to find high-quality sulfur. Production slowed down in the 1940s and 1950s. By 1966, the mine and its processing plant closed completely. By the end of the 1970s, Sulphurdale was abandoned.
Contents
The Story of Sulphurdale
How Sulphurdale Started
The area that became Sulphurdale was first explored by Charles Dickart in 1870. He found a large amount of sulfur ore just south of Cove Fort. Not much happened with the sulfur discovery for a while. Then, in 1883, a special plant was built. This plant used heat to process the sulfur that was dug out of the ground.
Steady sulfur production began in 1890. For 15 years, about 1,000 tons of sulfur were produced each year. The company that ran the mines built 30 homes for its workers. They also built a schoolhouse, a company store, and offices. For a short time, people sometimes called the town Morrissey. This was after the person who operated the mines.
Daily Life and Challenges
Twice a week, large freighter wagons carried 20 tons of sulfur. They took it to the Union Pacific train loading area at Black Rock. Only the best quality sulfur ore was used. The rest of the ore was left behind.
Even though the mines were working, it was still difficult to get a lot of high-quality sulfur. A new sulfur processing plant was built in 1951. However, it did not produce much good sulfur either.
The End of Mining
Sulfur production started to slow down in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1961, a company called Sulphurdale Chemical Company built another plant. They began selling sulfur in 1965. But the company owner passed away in 1966, and the plant closed. After about 70 years of mining, the Sulphurdale mines shut down for good.
Sulphurdale Today
In 1985, a geothermal power system was built near Sulphurdale. This system uses heat from deep inside the Earth to make electricity. It is still working today and provides power for the city of Provo. The underground heat source here is one of the biggest in the western United States.
Today, only the old schoolhouse and a few homes remain in Sulphurdale. They stand as a reminder of the town's past.
