Notom, Utah Ghost Town

You’ll find Notom tucked away on the eastern edge of Capitol Reef National Park, where pioneer settlers established this unique community in 1883. The town got its distinctive name simply because no resident was named Tom. At its peak, nearly 200 people called this rugged desert settlement home, centered around farming and a one-room schoolhouse. Today, scattered stone ruins and weathered foundations tell tales of frontier life amid the stunning Waterpocket Fold landscape.

Table of Contents hide

1 Key Takeaways

2 The Birth and Naming of a Pioneer Settlement

3 Life in Early Notom: Population and Community

4 Natural Landscape and Environmental Challenges

5 Remnants and Structures of a Forgotten Town

6 Legacy Within Capitol Reef Country

7 Frequently Asked Questions

7.1 Are There Any Gravesites or Cemeteries Near Notom?

7.2 What Crops Did Early Settlers Primarily Grow in Notom?

7.3 Can Visitors Legally Explore and Photograph Notom’s Remaining Structures?

7.4 Which Pioneer Families Were the First to Settle in Notom?

7.5 Was Notom Connected to Any Significant Native American Settlements or Trails?

8 References

Key Takeaways

Notom was established in 1883 as a pioneer settlement in Utah Territory, initially named Pleasant Creek before its unique renaming.
The ghost town is located at the eastern edge of Capitol Reef National Park, featuring the Waterpocket Fold monocline.

At its peak, Notom had approximately 200 residents and centered around farming activities with a one-room schoolhouse.
Stone and brick ruins, crumbling foundations, and remnants of mining infrastructure remain as evidence of the former settlement.
The town’s abandonment mirrors other Utah ghost towns, leaving behind historical markers and architectural remnants of pioneer life.

The Birth and Naming of a Pioneer Settlement

While many pioneer settlements in Utah Territory sprang up during the late 19th century, Notom’s establishment in 1883 marked a distinctive chapter in Capitol Reef’s eastern frontier.

Much like 500 pioneer villages established across the West to secure resources, these determined settlers sought to build a new life. You’ll find its roots in the determination of farming families who carved out a living near the Waterpocket Fold, initially calling their community Pleasant Creek or Pleasant Dale.

The population grew steadily until reaching its peak of 23 families in the area.

The settlement’s name origins reveal an interesting twist when postal challenges forced a change.

A bureaucratic hurdle transformed this Utah settlement’s identity when mail service requirements demanded a new name.

With other Utah towns already claiming similar names, postal authorities rejected the original choices. Local legend suggests the unique name “Notom” emerged from a quirky observation – there weren’t any residents named Tom in the community.

This distinctive name solved the postal dilemma and gave the settlement its enduring identity.

Life in Early Notom: Population and Community

Though Notom never grew into a bustling frontier town, this intimate settlement reached its peak with roughly 23 families and no more than 200 residents during its most active period.

The community dynamics revolved around shared agricultural practices, with families working together to maintain irrigation systems and survive the challenging desert environment. Originally known as Pleasant Creek, the settlement underwent a name change when the postal department required it. Like many other agricultural ghost towns in Utah, Notom was established by determined settlers seeking to build a new life.

A one-room schoolhouse served as both an educational center and gathering place

Families collaborated on essential farming tasks, sharing labor and resources
Social life centered around church meetings and community gatherings
Agricultural efforts focused on growing fruits, vegetables, corn, and alfalfa

A local post office kept residents connected to the outside world

You’d find a close-knit pioneer spirit here, where neighbors relied on each other’s support to overcome the harsh realities of frontier life.

The settlement’s modest infrastructure reflected both its small size and the resilient character of its inhabitants.

Natural Landscape and Environmental Challenges

Situated at the eastern edge of Capitol Reef National Park, Notom’s dramatic landscape showcases the stunning Waterpocket Fold monocline alongside rugged canyons and expansive desert vistas.

The majestic Waterpocket Fold rises from Notom’s desert floor, its towering cliffs standing sentinel over remote canyons and stark wilderness.

You’ll find a pristine environment where juniper and pinyon pine forests dot the semi-arid terrain, contributing to the area’s unique desert ecology.

While the landscape’s natural preservation remains remarkable, you’ll face the harsh realities of this unforgiving environment. The remote Notom-Bullfrog Road provides the main access point to this secluded area. The historical marker stands as a testament to the area’s pioneer heritage.

The region’s extreme desert climate brings scorching summers and frigid winters, with limited rainfall throughout the year.

You’ll encounter challenges similar to those that tested early settlers: flash floods tear through normally dry creek beds, while persistent aridity makes agriculture difficult.

The rugged terrain and erosion-prone soil have historically complicated development, helping maintain Notom’s untamed character.

Remnants and Structures of a Forgotten Town

Today’s visitor to Notom will find scattered stone and brick ruins emerging from the desert landscape, silent witnesses to the town’s former liveliness. Much like the excavation work done in Silver Reef by University of Pennsylvania researchers, these ruins provide valuable archaeological insights into the area’s history. Similar to Frisco’s red wall, partial stone structures stand as testament to the town’s mining heritage.

As you explore the site, you’ll discover remnants of mining infrastructure and fallen buildings that tell stories of the community’s bustling past. The ruins preservation efforts help protect these precious historical artifacts, from broken pottery to mining equipment, that paint a picture of daily life in this once-thriving settlement.

Crumbling stone foundations mark the grid pattern of old streets

Mining shaft entrances punctuate nearby hillsides
Weathered building fragments reveal former store locations and homes
Glass shards and porcelain pieces scatter the ground, offering glimpses into domestic life

Partial walls stand as proof of the town’s architectural heritage

Legacy Within Capitol Reef Country

Beyond its physical remnants, Notom holds a meaningful place in Capitol Reef Country’s historical tapestry. As you explore this gateway to Capitol Reef National Park’s eastern edge, you’ll discover pioneer narratives woven into the landscape through historical markers and local songs penned by Dr. Cline Durfey. Much like the nearby beehive-shaped charcoal oven of Old Irontown, these architectural touches showcase Utah’s pioneering industrial heritage. The town’s sudden abandonment mirrors settlements like Grafton in 1859.

The town’s cultural preservation efforts extend beyond tangible artifacts, embracing oral histories that tell tales of up to 23 families who once called this place home.

You’ll find Notom’s legacy alive along the “Loop the Fold” driving tour, where the story of Elijah James Behunin’s gravesite reminds you of settlement struggles.

Whether you’re drawn to heritage tourism or outdoor adventure, Notom’s position as a historical waypoint continues to shape your understanding of Utah’s frontier spirit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Gravesites or Cemeteries Near Notom?

You’ll find Notom Cemetery near the ghost town, with historical significance dating to the 1800s. It’s a small desert burial ground containing at least six documented graves, including pioneer settlers and infants.

What Crops Did Early Settlers Primarily Grow in Notom?

Like pioneers breaking new ground, you’d find cotton was the flagship crop, supported by corn and various fruits. Settlers mastered irrigation techniques and crop rotation while growing potatoes and garden vegetables for sustenance.

Can Visitors Legally Explore and Photograph Notom’s Remaining Structures?

You can legally explore and photograph Notom’s remaining structures since they’re on BLM-managed public land. Just respect any posted signs, avoid damaging the ghost town’s heritage, and practice Leave No Trace principles.

Which Pioneer Families Were the First to Settle in Notom?

Despite pioneer challenges around water access and early economy difficulties, you’ll find limited records of Notom’s first families, though nearby settlers like Ephraim Hanks homesteaded the region after 1881.

Was Notom Connected to Any Significant Native American Settlements or Trails?

You’ll find evidence of Native American history near Notom along the Fremont River valley, which served as a significant trail corridor for Southern Paiute and Ute peoples’ seasonal movements and trade routes.