newsgathers

Unearth the Echoes of Industry: Journey Through Utah's Forgotten Iron Frontier

The Genesis of a Frontier Industry: Brigham Young's Vision and the Iron Mission's Beginnings

In the mid-1800s, driven by a desire for self-sufficiency and religious freedom, Brigham Young, a prominent leader, initiated the "Iron Mission." This ambitious undertaking aimed to establish local iron production to support the burgeoning settlements in Utah. Following a period of westward migration, his followers settled in Salt Lake City, and in 1850, approximately 150 individuals were dispatched to develop ironworks. This led to the creation of communities like Parowan and later Cedar City, strategically located near vital iron ore deposits. Initially, Cedar City experienced success in its industrial pursuits.

The Rise and Decline of Iron City: A Glimpse into a 19th-Century Mining Hub

Despite early achievements, Cedar City faced persistent operational challenges. By 1868, a new settlement, Iron City (now known as Old Iron Town), was established closer to the raw materials, approximately 24 miles west. This frontier town flourished, boasting essential facilities like a foundry, a blacksmith shop, a charcoal kiln, a boarding house, a post office, and a school. At its zenith in 1871, Iron City boasted an impressive daily iron output, supplying materials for infrastructure projects, including the construction of the St. George Tabernacle and the Utah Western Railroad. However, this prosperity was short-lived. A combination of logistical difficulties, economic downturns, and the severe financial crisis of 1873, which triggered the Long Depression, ultimately led to the town's demise. Unlike its neighboring communities, Cedar City and Parowan, Iron City could not sustain itself, fading into history. Today, Old Iron Town is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, preserving its legacy.

Old Iron Town: A Historic Detour for Modern Travelers

Old Iron Town serves as an intriguing stop for those exploring the American West, a place where nature gradually reclaims the remnants of human endeavor. While some mining artifacts and structural ruins endure, much of the area's charm lies in the tranquil pathways that meander through the abandoned settlement. Located just 35 miles from the Kolob Canyons entrance to Zion National Park, it offers a perfect brief excursion during a southern Utah road trip. The site is informally linked to Cedar City's Frontier Homestead State Park, allowing visitors to walk trails, examine historical markers detailing the region's past and mining operations, and explore the remains of brick kilns and foundational structures, including a furnace and foundry. Admission to this historical site is free.

The Enduring Legacy of the Charcoal Kilns: Tracing Industrial Footprints

Many visitors find the charcoal kilns particularly striking. Only one of the original two beehive-shaped brick kilns still stands. These kilns were historically used to slowly burn wood under controlled oxygen conditions, converting it into charcoal. This charcoal was then essential for smelters to extract ore from the earth. Guests can enter the surviving kiln and observe the 150-year-old soot, a tangible link to the industrial processes of the past. Old Iron Town Historic Site is easily accessible via GPS, situated a few miles off State Route 56 on Old Irontown Road. Travelers departing from Cedar City might consider a detour via Iron Springs Road to view various large open iron mines, some of which were active even in recent years. Furthermore, a 67-mile journey south leads to St. George, a desert oasis and southern Utah's largest urban center, where the tabernacle constructed with iron from Iron City's operations remains a significant landmark.