East Carbon City had its beginnings in fall 1942, when the U.S. government–through the Defense Plant Corporation–awarded a contract to the W.E. Ryberg-Strong-Grant Corporation of Springville, Utah to develop the town at a planned cost of $5 million. It was originally named Drager, after W.L. Drager, chief engineer for the Defense Plant Corporation, who was raised in Utah and later moved to Washington, D.C.
On September 9, 1942, the Post Office moved into its new building, and during the ceremonies, Postmistress Agnes Scow announced the U.S Post Office Department would not allow the name of Drager. Its contention was that Drager was too similar to the name Draper (another Utah community), and would create confusion and delays in mail delivery. A selected group of citizen gathered in the school auditorium to discuss a new name from the proposed names of Dragerville, Dragervale or Drager Town offered by the Post Office Department. Dragerton, a derivative of Drager-town, was selected.
In 1959 with the area near its peak population the Carbon School District built a high school in the area. The school was placed was on land within the Sunnyside City limits that bordered Dragerton. The land was donated by Kaiser Steel a local mining company. In 1958 during an assembly at East Carbon Junior High School a vote was taken to give the new high school a name and mascot. The name they selected was East Carbon High School and the mascot was a Viking. The school colors were blue, white and red.
When the town was incorporated in 1973 the name was officially changed to East Carbon City, matching the high school name.
In 2005 the high school was closed and torn down before the beginning of the new school year. Bruin Point Elementary School, was built the following year and is the only school serving the area of East Carbon.
Price, the county seat of Carbon County, is the largest city in the county and is located in the Price River Valley of the Colorado Plateau province of Utah. It is believed that Price was named after LDS Bishop William Price of Goshen, Utah, who explored the region in 1869. The area was originally a part of Sanpete County, and then was included in Emery County when it was created in 1880. Price was organized on 14 July 1892 while it was still a part of Emery County.
Caleb Baldwin Rhoades and Abraham Powell, trappers from Salem, Utah, were the first recorded settlers in the Price River Valley. They arrived in October 1877 and built a cabin in the northwest corner of what is now Price. The two returned to Salem when the trapping season was over. Their talk aroused interest in the area among their friends and families, and they soon convinced a group join them in relocating in the Price River Valley. However, Abraham Powell never returned to Price as he was killed by a bear on 7 December 1878 while hunting in the Nebo Mountains.
On 21 January 1879 Caleb Rhoades returned to the valley with two brothers, Frederick Empire Grames and Charles W. Grames. The men helped each other build homes for their families. Later that year, they were joined by their families and others, most coming from Utah County.(*)
Helper was first settled in 1881 by Teamcum Pratt and his plural wives. He then settled into what he described as “a lonely wilderness” where he sought to escape the “hunters, trappers and bachelors and raveheads” in the area of his previous farm along Gordon Creek. The railroad was coming and less than six months after he files for his homestead, he sold parts of his family’s property to the DR&G railroad, soon, a railyard was born.
Helper’s name arrived with the railyard and its necessity of “helper” steam engines. These engines were attached to the trains traveling to Northern Utah, “helping” the trains with the steep grades found in Price Canyon. At that time trains needed steam. Steam required coal, and mining coal required men. Soon immigrants arrived in Helper by the hundreds, searching for the “American dream.” Italians, Greeks, Yugoslavians, Japanese, Slovenians and Chinese flooded the area. Many labored in the mines through Helper and the surrounding areas but some soon left mining to create businesses. Photos of Helper from the early 1900s show Greek coffeehouses, Italian bakeries, Japanese restaurants, Jewish and Italian mercantile stores together with saloons, billiard parlors, and hotels of all ethnic origins. By 1920, 27 different languages were spoken in Helper.
A must see in Helper is the Western Mining and Railroad Museum. The stories of the mines and railroads and the immigrants who worked them is shown in the many exhibits. Explore the basement mine, stand where Butch Cassidy stood when he robbed the Castlegate payroll, shop the company store and be awed at life in the coal camps. Housed in the old Helper Hotel, the Museum provides a trip back in time to the beginnings of Helper and the hard working people who formed its character.
Also, make sure to stop by the mining equipment and museum yard to see the amazing machines used in the coal mines today. You will also see train cars and the Helper Train Mosaic.
No visit to Helper would be complete without a stop by the Historical District, which includes Main Street. Here, local restaurants, coffee shops, antique stores, art galleries, and unique buildings all contribute to its charm and character.
One block off Main Street, you can stroll the Helper Parkway and take the family for a picnic at the pavilion and a volleyball game.
If you want to explore the surrounding mountain areas, the Spring Canyon Trail is ideal. Located in the west part of town, the trail follows the abandoned railroad line that served the old coal camps. The Kenilworth-Helper Railroad Trail is on the opposite side of town. Following the abandoned railroad line between Helper and the small mining town of Kenilworth, it is suitable for walking, biking or ATVing. The trail begins at the foot of the mountains in North Helper.
In June, experience the Helper Outlaw Car Show & Cruise and see a wide variety of custom cars. This event is held annually at the city park which is conveniently located next to a pool and ballpark. See Firebirds, Mustangs, Corvettes, Chevelles and more, all on display in one place highlighting America’s passion for the automobile.
On the third weekend in August, the Helper Arts and Music Festival arrives on Main Street with over 65 booths in the arts and crafts marketplace. Some of the best art in the Intermountain West is on display. Attend plays, musical theatre and dance revues and hear live music from a variety of bands. Sample mouthwatering food and icy beverages in the spacious food court. A 5K run and a car show coincide with the festival.
Every December , Helper transforms into a dazzling holiday extravaganza. Beginning before Thanksgiving, the town is lit up with Christmas lights and during this time many events are offered. There is a craft fair, chili dinners, silent auctions and visits with Santa, to name a few. In years past, the Helper Electric Light Parade has spanned two nights in a row followed by a fireworks show.
The Fraternal Organizations of Spring Glen and Helper established this central cemetery in early 1930. Low or no-cost burial places became necessary when members of the lodges, as well as others, died here while their families remained in the Old Country. Most lost their lives in coal mine accidents or due to occupational disease and could not afford to be sent overseas to be buried with their families. Also, many were bachelors with no one to see to their burials at all. Members of the Fraternal Lodges saw to the needs of these lodge members and many others by making this exceptional overlook into a beautiful resting place in their honor. This land was acquired for this sole purpose from the Ku Klux Klan. Carbon County Clan No. 4, and was named the Austrian Lodge Cemetery, by which it is still known today.
Around 1891 after the D & R G W railroad replaced the narrow gauge, with standard gauge track. The division point was consolidated in Helper. At this time a 15 stall roundhouse, a new depot and other accommodations were built. In 1919 the division point was relocated to Soldier Summit. The roundhouse was moved piece by piece to the new location. In 1929, adverse weather conditions at 7,700 feet forced the railroad to move operations back to Helper.
The roundhouse was again dismantled and moved back to its original location. The roundhouse operated until the steam locomotive was phased out and replaced with diesel electric power in the 1950’s.
In Helper I stopped by a cool little park that was more of a mining equipment museum.
The Four Steps Necessary For Mining Coal
Step One
Coal must be broken away from the face of the coal seam.
In the early mines picks were used to break the coal away from the face, then holes were drilled in the face and dynamite was into the hole and detonated (1900 – 1950).
The Albert Grames cabin, built in 1891, stood originally on a site two miles northwest of here. In 1904 Grames bought land in Price, dismantled his cabin, and used the logs to build this somewhat larger structure. The cabin is unique in that it was occupied by Grames or by members of his family for seventy-four years. He had fifteen children – fine by Celia Downard Grames and, after her death, ten by Lilly Bass Grames. Fourteen of those children were born in this structure or its predecessor. Seven grandchildren were also born here.
Moved to this site in 1964, the cabin was later badly vandalized. In 1991 it was fully restored to lived-in condition.
The cabin is furnished with authentic pioneer artifacts and furniture gathered from local residents.
In 1877 Jefferson Tidwell was called by Brigham Young to find a location for settlement east of the Wasatch Mountains. By 1879 the firs pioneers came, built homes, later irrigated their farms with Price River water. This log cabin, built by Robert Snyder, 1882, had a fire place, dirt roof and floor. Canvas served for windows and doors. It was used for home, school, church and recreation. Purchased in 1928 by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers for a relic hall.
This is Daughters of Utah Pioneers historic marker #354, located at 110 East Main Street in Wellington, Utah
