Ghost Town in Southern Utah | Old Iron Town

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Ghost Town In So Utah

Old Iron Town

Old Iron Town, or Iron Town, originally Iron City, is an unincorporated community and Ghost Town in Iron county, Utah. It is located in Dixie National Forest, approximately 22 miles from Cedar City.

Ruins of a Ghost Town

The Old Iron town settlement was founded in 1868 as a second attempt to mine iron from Iron Mountain after a disappointing yield from Cedar City. The colony lasted until 1876, when strife from the Edmunds-Tucker Act and the Panic Act of 1873 forced its closure.

At its peak, the settlement included a schoolhouse, blacksmith charcoal furnaces, and a foundry. The city was abandoned in 1876.

Beehive Kiln – Arastra

Presently, the remnants showcase a well-maintained charcoal oven constructed in a distinctive beehive style, alongside an “Arastra” furnace that was utilized for sand preparation for molds. Several elements of the initial foundry endure, notably the chimney. These unique kilns serve as emblematic features of a ghost town neighboring Zion National Park.

Charcoal

Charcoal served as the primary fuel for the operations in Iron City. This essential material was crafted through the combustion or smoldering of wood within an environment deprived of oxygen.

The process involved workers stacking heaps of juniper and pinyon pine within the distinctive beehive-shaped kiln. Once loaded, the wood was set ablaze, initiating the transformation into charcoal.

This method harnessed the energy-rich properties of wood while eliminating volatile compounds and moisture, resulting in a concentrated carbon product ideal for smelting and other industrial processes.

End of An Era

The management of the area falls under the jurisdiction of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers, and it currently resides within the boundaries of the Dixie National Forest.

Situated along Iron Town Road, intersecting with Utah State Route 56, the ruins are officially recognized as Old Iron Town, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since May 14, 1971.

Despite its historical significance, the town’s location now hosts several modern residences.

Discovering Old Iron Town sparks an interest in other ghost towns scattered across the rugged terrain of Southern Utah. Consider visiting other nearby ghost towns such as Silver Reef, Frisco, and Grafton.

Visiting these ghost towns not only enriches one’s understanding of Utah’s history but also fosters a profound connection with the pioneers who shaped the region’s identity. Embarking on this historical journey promises to be both enlightening and humbling, weaving together the threads of the past with the present-day landscape of Southern Utah.

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