Grafton Ghost Town
Grafton Ghost Town near Rockville, Utah is an easy 0.4-mile out-and-back walk that features five restored homesteads from the long-lost ghost town of Grafton, Utah.This short walk begins at the 250 S / West Grafton Road in Rockville and heads into the ghost town of Grafton by first visiting the information kiosks before passing the old Schoolhouse / Church. The track then leads into the old Alonzo H. Russell homestead (circa 1862). The homestead has two levels that visitors can explore, with some additional information about the family inside. To the south, visitors will find the Louisa Marie Russell homestead (circa 1879), which is a one-story home with a couple of rooms to explore. The track then heads to the west near parking to visit an unnamed homestead on the corner of the road. This homestead is single-story as well with a large apple orchard behind it. To the south of that is the John and Ellen Wood homestead (circa 1877) with its barn located to the south of the home.
After visiting the Wood homestead and barn, that's about all that's left to see of the Grafton ghost town unless you wish to explore the cemetery which is located a bit further away - passed on the drive in.
Hours
The Grafton Ghost Town, as of September 2023, is open at dawn each day and closes at dusk.
Fees
Visiting the Grafton Ghost Town is free, but it takes time, money, and dedication of the Grafton Heritage organization to keep Grafton upkept and open to the public. Please consider leaving a donation when visiting at the kiosk by the trailhead.
Parking
Visitors will find parking along the side of the road near the coordinates provided - at the very end of 205 S / West Grafton Road in Rockville, Utah.
History
In 1847 Brigham Young and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as Mormons) arrived in the Utah Territory after fleeing religious persecution in the United States. Settling near what is now Salt Lake City, the Church sent volunteers on colonizing missions throughout the West to secure territory and resources. Grafton was one of several settlements along the Virgin River to grow cotton, part of Young's plan for Mormon self-sufficiency. In 1859, five families from Virgin settled one mile downstream of modern-day Grafton. Crops were planted, irrigation ditches dug and home built. Three years later, in January 1862, a raging flood destroyed the infant town. The pioneers began again in 1862 on the present site. Cotton production didn't last long. The farmers quickly realized they needed all their land to grow food. By 1864, 168 people lived in Grafton, and irrigated-farming was intense. Homes clusted in the village center to support community and religious life, farm fields ranged along the river and cattle grazed mesa tops. In 1866, after settlers were killed near Colorado City by Navajo raiders, Grafton's residents moved to the protection of Rockville. Grafton farmers returned daily to tend their hometown fields, and by 1868, Grafton was resettled and the residents wre back, working to create the future.
