Spring Canyon, Utah Treasure
Nestled approximately five miles west of Helper, Utah, lies Spring Canyon, a location that holds a secret dating back to the early 1920s. This isn’t a treasure of immense proportions, but rather a curious anecdote, a potential prize waiting to be rediscovered, a part of the legacy of Spring Canyon, Utah Treasure.
The Mining Towns of Spring Canyon
Up the winding path of Spring Canyon, Utah Treasure, a series of mining camps once thrived. Among these settlements were sizable towns that buzzed with activity and industry. Standardville, for example, was established in 1912 when F.A. Sweet initiated a coal mine operation a mere quarter-mile north of the main canyon. Remarkably, the original mine portal still stands today, a silent testament to the area’s industrious past.
Standardville stood out amongst the other mining towns of the era. Its thoughtful design and quality construction set a "standard" for other settlements, hence the town’s name. The town boasted amenities that were considered luxurious for a remote mining community. These included a steam-heated swimming pool, providing a recreational outlet for the hard-working miners and their families. A well-appointed billiard hall offered another form of entertainment, its mosaic tile floor a touch of elegance amidst the rugged landscape. A modern company general store catered to the daily needs of the residents, offering a variety of goods and supplies.
Close to the company offices and the billiard hall, an unassuming two-inch pipe protruded from the earth. In an era before stringent safety regulations, the pipe was left uncapped. What lies beneath this seemingly ordinary pipe is the heart of the Spring Canyon, Utah Treasure story.
The Tale of the Silver Dollars
The narrative unfolds with a young girl residing in one of the company houses near the office and billiard hall. She stumbled upon a cigar box that her father had stored in a bureau drawer. The box was surprisingly heavy, piquing her curiosity. She carried it outside to play. After managing to pry open the lid, secured by a small nail, she discovered that the wooden cigar box was filled with newly minted silver dollars.
The young girl, captivated by the shiny coins, played with them for a while. Then, drawn to the nearby pipe, she began dropping the silver dollars into it, one by one, until the box was empty. Afterwards, she returned the cigar box to her home, unaware of the significance of her actions.
Inevitably, the father noticed the missing silver dollars and questioned his family. The young girl confessed to her actions, explaining how she had deposited the coins into a pipe near the office. The father, understandably concerned, asked her to show him the location. She led him back to the area east of the billiard hall and the office. However, they found a row of pipes, all of which had been cut off. The girl was unable to identify the specific pipe into which she had dropped the silver dollars. Thus, the Spring Canyon, Utah Treasure story began.
The Legacy of Spring Canyon
Today, very little remains of the once-thriving town of Standardville. In the mid-1970s, most of the town was bulldozed, erasing much of its physical presence. However, a few remnants still exist, including some of the pipes that once served the community. These remnants serve as a tangible link to the past and a reminder of the silver dollars that may still be hidden beneath the ground, waiting to be discovered.
The story of Spring Canyon, Utah Treasure is more than just a tale of lost coins. It’s a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived and worked in the coal mining towns of Utah. It speaks of hard work, community, and the simple joys of life in a remote and challenging environment. The tale is a fascinating look into the history of Carbon County, Utah, and the legacy of its coal mining past. It is a reminder that even in the most desolate of places, stories of wonder and potential fortune can be found.