You’ll find Woodside, Utah tucked along the Price River, where a single water stop established in 1881 grew into a bustling frontier town. The settlement thrived as an essential railroad hub and ranching community, reaching 328 residents by 1910. Its famous cold water geyser shot up 75 feet, drawing tourists until the 1960s. Today, the abandoned town’s crumbling structures and hidden tunnel network hold tales of Butch Cassidy and Spanish gold.
Key Takeaways
- Woodside, Utah was established in 1881 as a railroad water stop and grew into a thriving community with 328 residents by 1910.
- The town featured underground tunnels used by outlaws, including Butch Cassidy after the 1897 Castle Gate train robbery.
- A cold water geyser, created in 1924 through oil drilling, became Woodside’s main tourist attraction, shooting water up to 75 feet.
- The town’s decline began when railroad operations moved to Helper, compounded by irrigation problems and farming difficulties.
- A devastating fire around 1970 destroyed the town’s remaining businesses, leading to complete abandonment and ghost town status.
The Birth of a Railroad Oasis
As the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad pushed its narrow-gauge line between Grand Junction and Helper in 1881, an essential water stop emerged at the Price River crossing that would become Woodside, Utah.
Originally called “Lower Crossing,” the site’s railroad significance drew its first resident, prospector Henry H. Hutchinson, who recognized its potential.
You’ll find the town’s early growth directly tied to General William Jackson Palmer‘s vision for the railroad, which was standard-gauged by 1890. The railroad’s gauge conversion was completed under the Rio Grande Western Railway reorganization.
The area’s abundant water and thick cottonwood groves sparked agricultural development as settlers dammed the Price River and dug irrigation canals. The pioneering families found success raising sugar beets and turkeys among their diverse farming operations.
Wild West Tales and Hidden Tunnels
Beyond its role as a railroad stop, Woodside harbored darker secrets beneath its dusty streets.
You’ll find evidence of outlaw hideouts in the underground tunnel network, most importantly used by Butch Cassidy after the 1897 Castle Gate train robbery. Local residents protected the notorious outlaw, revealing the complex relationship between outlaws and frontier communities.
Adding to Woodside’s mystique, treasure legends tell of Henry H. Hutchinson’s discovery of a Spanish gold mine near town. The town’s peak of 328 residents in 1910 made it a bustling hub for treasure hunters and adventurers alike.
While treasure seekers armed with maps have searched extensively, the mine’s location remains a mystery. The property, spanning 706 acres of rugged terrain, continues to intrigue explorers today.
These tales, combined with the secretive tunnel system and the town’s reputation for protecting fugitives, paint a picture of Woodside as more than just another Western settlement – it was a haven for those seeking refuge from the law.
A Desert Town’s Golden Era
While steam engines still ruled the rails in 1881, a prospector named Henry H. Hutchinson became Woodside’s first settler, marking the beginning of its golden era.
Unlike William Lyon Mackenzie King’s historic boyhood residence in Canada, this Utah settlement started as a humble desert outpost.
You’d have found a bustling desert town where the Price River crossing served as an essential water stop for locomotives and a significant shipping point for local ranchers.
The town’s community life flourished as irrigation enabled agricultural success and commerce thrived.
A famous cold water geyser became one of the town’s main tourist attractions in the 1940s, drawing visitors from across the region.
During its peak, you could experience:
- A vibrant main street with multiple saloons, stores, and a prominent hotel
- A schoolhouse that doubled as the heart of community gatherings
- Prosperous stockyards shipping cattle to eastern markets
- A diverse agricultural economy producing vegetables, turkeys, and honey
Nature’s Spectacle: The Woodside Geyser
When Utah Oil & Refining drilled a well in 1924, they unwittingly created what would become Woodside’s most famous attraction – a spectacular cold water geyser that shot up to 75 feet in the air.
You’d find the geyser prominently advertised on billboards along U.S. Route 6, drawing tourists to the town’s cafe, store, and filling station.
The geyser’s history took a downturn in the 1960s when the Highway Beautification Act removed many of these advertisements. Vandals hastened its decline by stuffing rocks into the geyser’s cone, and by 1970, its once-mighty eruptions had ceased entirely.
Today, the site is marked as private property, limiting access for curious visitors who wish to explore this piece of history.
While the dormant geyser remains one of Woodside’s few surviving landmarks, it’s achieved lasting fame as a unique piece of roadside Americana, even appearing in the 1991 film “Thelma & Louise.”
From Bustling Stop to Ghost Town
As the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad established Lower Crossing in 1881, prospector Henry H. Hutchinson led early settlers to transform this water stop into a thriving community.
You’d have found a bustling town of 328 residents by 1910, complete with stockyards, stores, and a schoolhouse that brought life to the desert landscape through extensive irrigation systems.
- Population peaked in the early 1900s with agriculture, livestock shipping, and railroad operations driving growth
- Economic decline began when railroad operations moved to Helper, 45 miles northwest
- Irrigation challenges from the Price River’s unpredictable flow strained farming efforts
- The final blow came around 1970 when fire destroyed the café and store
Today, you’ll find only abandoned buildings and a fenced-in filling station where this once-vibrant community stood, marking Woodside’s evolution into a ghost town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Remaining Original Structures Still Standing in Woodside Today?
You’ll find only the original filling station still standing, fenced off to protect its historical significance, while other original buildings have been lost to fires and decay over time.
What Is the Current Ownership Status of the Woodside Ghost Town?
You’ll find the Pogue family maintains private ownership of the property, with Roy Pogue actively trying to sell the 700-acre ghost town and surrounding lands for $3.9 million.
Can Visitors Legally Explore the Tunnel System Under Woodside?
You can’t legally explore the tunnel system since there’s no documented permission for access. Tunnel exploration guidelines indicate the entrances are secured, and any unauthorized entry would constitute trespassing under current regulations.
Does the Price River Still Flow Through the Town Site?
Yes, you’ll still find the Price River flowing past the town’s west side. While it’s shallower than its river history suggests, the town geography remains defined by this persistent waterway.
Have Any Artifacts From the Original Settlement Been Preserved in Museums?
You won’t find specific records of Woodside’s artifact preservation in museums. While regional museums showcase items from Utah ghost towns, there’s no confirmed documentation of Woodside’s original settlement exhibits.
References
- https://news.findagrave.com/2019/02/04/cemetery-in-ghost-town-yields-treasure/
- https://architecturalafterlife.com/2018/02/woodside-utah-americana-forgotten/
- https://jacobbarlow.com/2013/11/27/woodside-utah/
- https://www.ivanmorenowriter.com/work/wild-west-town-for-sale-in-utah-for-39-million
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodside
- https://www.canyoncountryzephyr.com/2018/09/30/a-history-of-woodside-ut-by-herm-hoops/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Division_(D&RGW)
- https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/r/RAILROADS.shtml
- https://landingaday.wordpress.com/2015/06/05/woodside-utah/
- https://www.ksl.com/article/21480256/ghost-town-for-sale-geyser-and-llamas-included
