Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 61 – Aurora, Utah

: Main & Center, Aurora, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Aurora, settled in 1875, is a city in Sevier County, with a population of 493 according to 1970 Census, 1016 according to 2010 Census.

The city is named after Roman goddess of the dawn which derived from the colorful tints of the surrounding hills. The city was once served by D&RGW Marysvale Branch, went out of service in 1983 and abandoned in 1986; 54 cars siding was located at easternmost of the city where clay factory shipped the products.

Map below shows the location of 70’s remnants in Aurora. Introduction for structure will follow this post.

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 62 – Western Clay and Metals Co., Aurora, Itah

: Aurora, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Western Clay and Metals Co. was located east of Aurora, Utah on 620 E Center St; along Utah State Route 24 which parallels the former Rio Grande right of way.

The company was established in 1925 and had siding to ship their products by rail. The company is active today as Western Clay Co.

: Aurora, UT Sep. 15, 2014

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 63 – Salina, Utah

: Main St & 500 W St, Salina, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Salina, settled in 1864, is a city in Sevier County, with a population of 1494 according to the 1970 Census, 2489 according to the 2010 Census.

The city is named after the Spanish word meaning salt mine. The city was once served by D&RGW Marysvale Branch, went out of service in 1983 and abandoned in 1986. Depot at Main & 500 W was retired in 1985. The book Rio Grande in Color Vol. 2 has a clear 1970 photo of the depot structure.

Map below shows the location of 70’s remnants in Salina. The introduction for the structure will follow this post.

* 1970 photo of the depot by James Ozment;
* 1976 photo of the depot by Dick Harrison;

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 64 – Trackside Facilities, Salina, Utah

: Salina, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Trackside Facilities was located at Salina, Utah opposite the depot, next to stockyard.

These facilities can be identified in 1963 USGS aerial photo, including the barn shown above and shed shown below. Line poles found next to the facilities looked like Rio Grande poles for me.

All photos taken on Sep. 15, 2014

: unloading facilities
: shed
: line poles

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 65 – Pahvant Lodge, Salina, Utah

: Salina, UT Sep. 15, 2014
: Salina, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Pahvant Lodge was located at the west entrance of Salina, Utah on 705 W Main St (US Hwy 50).

Osmer Keith(1915 – 1982) and Elizabeth(1918 – 2010) Nielson owned and managed the motel, maybe until 1959[1, 2]. The motel was named after the Indian tribe. Unfortunately, it is no longer in business and occupied as an apartment.

[1] Jul. 30, 1959 Iron County Record;
[2] Jan. 5 2011 Deseret News;

: postcard maybe printed in the 60’s

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 66 – Hot Spot Drive-In, Salina, Utah

: Salina, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Hot Spot Drive-In is located at the center of Salina, Utah on 115 W Main St (US Hwy 50).

According to Utah Division of State History (UDSH), this commercial structure was built in 1953[1].
It is still active today, owned and operated by Tammy Harrison.

[1] UDSH Historic Building Search results;

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 67 – Redmond, Utah

: Main & Center, Redmond, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Redmond, settled in 1875, is a town in Sevier County, with a population of 409 according to 1970 Census, 730 according to 2010 Census.

The red-colored mounds west of the town are the source of the name. The town was once served by D&RGW Marysvale Branch, went out of service in 1983 and abandoned in 1986; 10 cars siding was located 1.5 mile east of town.

: Main & Center, Redmond, UT Sep. 15, 2014

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 68 – Sterling, Utah

: Hwy 89 & Center, Sterling, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Sterling, settled in 1873, is a town in Sanpete County, with a population of 144 according to 1970 Census, 262 according to 2010 Census.

The town had several names, Pettyville or Pettytown were the names by the Petty family and Buncetown by the Bunce family. The town finally chose Sterling for the sterling qualities of its people themselves. The town was once served by D&RGW Marysvale Branch, went out of service in 1983 and abandoned in 1986; 18 cars siding was located 1.25 mile northwest of town.

: Hwy 89 & Center, Sterling, UT Sep. 15, 2014

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 69 – Thomas Grocery, Sterling, Utah

: Sterling, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Thomas Grocery was located at the center of Sterling, Utah on 55 S Hwy 89. Unfortunately, it is no longer in business.

Nels Elroy Larsen opened a general store in the 20’s. His daughter Lillie(1914 – 2008) and her spouse John Evan(1912 – 1975) Thomas built the grocery in 1945[1, 2]. Lillie operated the grocery for 63 years till her death in 2008. Southwest Pump Company Model #490 pumps are idling since then.

[1] April 2, 2007 Deseret News;
[2] May 16, 2008 Deseret News;
* 1974 photo of the Grocery;

: Apr. 27, 1972 Ephraim Enterprise

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 70 – Centerfield, Utah

: Main & Center, Centerfield, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Centerfield, settled in 1869, is a city in Sanpete County, with a population of 419 according to 1970 Census, 1367 according to 2010 Census.

The city is named after its location of being in the center of Gunnison Valley. The city was once served by D&RGW Marysvale Branch through Gunnison Sugar Factory Spur diverted west from the Branch main at Spearmint.

: Main & Center, Centerfield, UT Sep. 15, 2014

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 71 – Gunnison, Utah

: Main & Center, Gunnison, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Gunnison, settled in 1859, is a city in Sanpete County, with a population of 1073 according to 1970 Census, 3285 according to 2010 Census.

The city is named after Captain John Gunnison, who was a government explorer. The city was once served by D&RGW Marysvale Branch, went out of service in 1983 and abandoned in 1986. Depot itself was retired in 1955.

Map below shows the location of 70’s remnants in Gunnison. Introduction for structure will follow this post.

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 72 – Gunnison Motel, Gunnison, Utah

: Gunnison, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Gunnison Motel was located at the center of Gunnison, Utah on 10 N Main St (US Hwy 89).

According to Utah Division of State History (UDSH), this commercial structure was built in 1945[1].
Nels(1893 – 1961) and Rilla McConnell(1906 – 2003) Rosenlund built the motel in 1944 and managed it till 1988[2]. It is still active as Gunnison Inn owned by Phil and Beverly Greener.

[1] UDSH Historic Building Search results;
[2] April 3, 2003 Deseret News;

: postcard maybe printed in the 60’s

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 73 – Manti, Utah

: Union & Main, Manti, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Manti, settled in 1849, is a city in Sanpete County, with a population of 1803 according to 1970 Census, 3276 according to 2010 Census.

The name of the city is derived from that section of the Book of Mormon called Alma. The city was once served by D&RGW Marysvale Branch, went out of service in 1983 and abandoned in 1986. Depot itself was retired in 1965.

: Union & Main, Manti, UT Sep. 15, 2014

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 74 – Ephraim, Utah

: Main & Center, Ephraim, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Ephraim, settled in 1854, is a city in Sanpete County, with a population of 2127 according to 1970 Census, 6135 according to 2010 Census.

The city is named after one of the tribes of Israel mentioned in the Old Testament. The city was once served by D&RGW Marysvale Branch, went out of service in 1983 and abandoned in 1986. Depot itself was retired in 1985.

: Main & Center, Ephraim, UT Sep. 15, 2014

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 75 – Spring City, Utah

: Main & Center, Spring City UT Sep. 15, 2014

Spring City, settled in 1852, is a city in Sanpete County, with a population of 456 according to 1970 Census, 988 according to 2010 Census.

The city was once served by D&RGW Marysvale Branch, went out of service in 1983 and abandoned in 1986. Depot was located 1.4 mile west of the town. Depot itself was retired in 1947. The post office shown below was built in 1962[1]. Entire City is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980.

[1] UDSH Historic Building Search;

: Main & Center, Spring City UT Sep. 15, 2014

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 76 – Mt. Pleasant, Utah

: State & Main, Mt. Pleasant UT Sep. 15, 2014

Mt. Pleasant, incorporated in 1868, is a city in Sanpete County, with a population of 1516 according to 1970 Census, 3260 according to 2010 Census.

The city was once served by D&RGW Marysvale Branch, went out of service in 1983 and abandoned in 1986. Depot itself was retired in 1986. Commercial Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.

Map below shows the location of 70’s remnants in Mt. Pleasant. Introduction for structure will follow this post.



: Jun. 4, 1948 Mt. Pleasant Pyramid

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 77 – Brunger Motel and Cafe, Mt. Pleasant, Utah

: Mt. Pleasant, UT Sep. 15, 2014
: Mt. Pleasant, UT Sep. 15, 2014
: postcard maybe printed in the 50’s

Brunger Motel and Cafe was located at the center of Mt. Pleasant, Utah on 125 S State St (US Hwy 89).

Ernest Gordon(1900 – 1984) and Ruth Buckles(1900 – 1956) Brunger built the motel in 1947[1, 2]. Claude Shepherd Ashworth(1885 – 1971) was the architect[3]. Oscar Amundsen was the contractor. Betty Jane Kelso(1931 – 2003) succeeded the motel in the 70’s[4]. Unfortunately, it is no longer in business and seems occupied as an apartment.

[1] Ernest Brunger obituary;
[2] Dec. 12, 1947 Mt. Pleasant Pyramid
[3] Dell Ashworth Architectural Drawing Collection;
[4] April 18, 1978 Henderson Home News;

: Dec. 12, 1947 Mt. Pleasant Pyramid

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 78 – Dairy Freez, Mt. Pleasant, Utah

: Mt. Pleasant, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Dairy Freez is located at the center of Mt. Pleasant, Utah on 1 N State St (US Hwy 89).

According to Utah Division of State History (UDSH), this commercial building was built in 1960[1].
According to Aug. 7, 2004 Salt Lake Tribune, Louis U.(1903 – 1986) and Euleda Edmunds(1907 – 1988) Mumford built the restaurant in the 50’s[2]. After several successors, Rodger Dean and Jenni Johansen purchased it in 1991. Since then, it is active as Rodger & Jenni’s Dairy Freez to this day.

[1] UDSH Historic Building Search results;
[2] Aug. 7, 2004 Salt Lake Tribune;

: Mt. Pleasant, UT Sep. 15, 2014

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 79 – Basin Drive In Theatre, Mt. Pleasant, Utah

: Mt. Pleasant, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Basin Drive-In is located at the northernmost of Mt. Pleasant, Utah on 680 N State St (US Hwy 89).

According to May 1, 1958 Uinta Basin Standard, the theater was first built in 1956 at Roosevelt, UT by Themistocles Costuros(1842 – 1958)[1]. Leland Clair Stevenson(1920 – 1980) purchased it in 1958[2]. The theater was resold and moved to Mt. Pleasant same year[3].
It is said to be the Utah’s smallest drive-in theater, offers sound through traditional speakers on poles.

[1] Themis Costuros obituary;
[2] May 1, 1958 Uinta Basin Standard;
[3] June 29, 2008 Salt Lake Tribune;

: May 25, 1961 Manti Messenger

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 80 – Fairview, Utah

: State & Center, Fairview, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Fairview, settled in 1859, is a city in Sanpete County, with a population of 696 according to 1970 Census, 1247 according to 2010 Census.

The city is named after its fine view extending south beyond Manti. The city was once served by D&RGW Marysvale Branch, went out of service in 1983 and abandoned in 1986. Depot itself was retired in 1954.

Map below shows the location of 70’s remnants in Fairview. Introduction for structure will follow this post.

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 81 – Fair-Vu Motel, Fairview, Utah

: Fairview, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Fair-Vu Motel was located at the center of Fairview, Utah on 210 N State St (US Hwy 89).

According to Utah Division of State History (UDSH), this commercial building was built in 1960[1].
Levern(1893 – 1974) and Orabelle(1897 – 1973) Jensen owned and managed the motel[2]. Keith Stewart(1914 – 1977) and Ruby Val(1915 – 2004) Hansen might have succeeded it as Skyline Motel[3]. Keith was the mayor of Fairview and owned Hansen lumber Co. besides the motel. It is still active today, managed by Joyce Hall.

[1] UDSH Historic Building Search results;
[2] Hyrum Hansen, father of Orabelle, History;
[3] Sep. 30, 1977 Salt Lake Tribune;

: postcard maybe printed in the 70’s

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 82 – Fred’s Cafe, Fairview, Utah

: Fairview, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Fred’s Cafe was located at the center of Fairview, Utah on 215 N State St (US Hwy 89).

The cafe was built by Fred Conrad Anderson(1918 – 1986) in 1960[1]. Willard C. Nelson(1915 – 1994) was the architect[2]. Kathy Nelson succeeded the business since 1987 as Home Plate Cafe[3].

[1] UDSH Historic Building Search results;
[2] Register of Nelson, Howden and Associates Architectural Drawings;
[3] Home Plate Cafe business information;

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 83 – Fairview Roller Mill, Fairview, Utah

: Fairview, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Fairview Roller Mill is located at Fairview, Utah on 235 E 200 N St.

According to Utah Division of State History (UDSH), this relatively small elevator was built in 1921[1].

The elevator was built by LeRoy Rigby(1875 – 1946) and his Fairview Roller Milling Company in 1922[2]. It was located along the Rio Grande siding, just north of the depot. It was retired in 1950, but the structure still remains and preservation movement is on the way. Accurate drawings of the mill are provided on web[3].

[1] UDSH Historic Building Search results;
[2] Fairview Roller Mill web page;
[3] drawings of the mill;

: Fairview, UT Sep. 15, 2014

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande 84 – Wen’s Service Station, Fairview, Utah

: Fairview, UT Sep. 15, 2014

Wen’s Service Station was located at the center of Fairview, Utah on 115 S State St (US Hwy 89).

According to Utah Division of State History (UDSH), this commercial building was built in 1925[1].

According to Corner Station blog page, the structure was originally built in 1921[2]. It became Reece's Service Station operated by Hyrum Reece Erickson(1912 – 1996). Reece's brother-in-law, Wendel A. Christensen(1917 – 2007) succeeded the business in the 40’s. Wen sold not Texaco but Chevron gas. Today, Philip and Kathleen Shell own, restore and operate a gift shop named Corner Station.

[1] UDSH Historic Building Search results;
[2] Corner Station blog page;


: Fairview, UT Sep. 15, 2014

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande, extra – Kanab Union Pacific Lodge

: Kanab, UT Sep. 14, 2014
: postcard maybe printed in the 30’s

The Rio Grande never reached Kanab, UT. But, the city was served by its subsidiary Rio Grande Motorway. Here survives an interesting structure operated by Union Pacific Railroad.

Kanab Union Pacific Lodge was located at the center of Kanab, UT on 86 S 200 W St.

According to Utah Division of State History (UDSH), this structure was first built in 1885[1].
According to United States Department of Interior, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, the original house was converted to a restaurant in 1925[2].

Dining room and kitchen extension were added to the south in 1928 by Union Pacific Railroad subsidiary Utah Parks Company. It was used as a rest stop for the tourists travelling between Bryce/Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks by Union Pacific Stage Co. and Utah Parks Company buses. In 1938, laundry to handle linens used at nearby Utah Parks Company lodges was added to the facilities. Unfortunately, however, the cafe was closed in 1960, and finally, the laundry was closed in 1967.

Between 1974 and 1978, the structure was a restaurant The Old West Company, operated by Stan Clark. Still more, Territorial Inn Restaurant operated between 1980 and 1987 by Bob and Nita West, Wok Inn operated by Patrick and Sara Garrard since 1987, and today, Jake’s Chaparral operated by Eddie C. and Terry Jacobsen since 2015[3].

[1] UDSH Historic Building Search results;
[2] National Register of Historic Places, Registration Form;
[3] Feb. 12, 2015 Southern Utah News;

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Reminder of the 70's along Rio Grande, extra – Bryce Canyon Lodge

: Bryce Canyon, UT Sep. 14, 2014
: postcard maybe printed in the 50’s

Rio Grande never reached Bryce, UT. But, an unique structure operated by a railroad survives here.

Bryce Canyon Lodge was located at Bryce Canyon national Park on UT-63, Bryce, UT.

According to Utah Division of State History (UDSH), this structure was first built in 1925[1].
According to United States Department of Interior, National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, the Lodge was built by Union Pacific Railroad subsidiary Utah Parks Company[2]. The architect was Gilbert Stanley Underwood who also designed the Zion Lodge, Old Faithful Lodge at Yellowstone, The Ahwanee at Yosemite and Jackson Lake Lodge at Grand Teton. The Lodge carries on business ever since, today operated as The Lodge at Bryce Canyon by Forever Resorts[3].

[1] UDSH Historic Building Search results;
[2] National Register of Historic Places, Registration Form;
[3] Forever Resorts web page;

: Bryce Canyon, UT Sep. 14, 2014

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Reminders of the 70’s along Rio Grande 85 – Gruver’s Service Station, Thompson Springs

Gruver’s Service Station is located at the center of the town on south side of Frontage Road (old US Hwy 50 &6), opposite the Rio Grande Section Tool House. It used to have a large canopy over the pumps in front of the structure[1].

In 1936, Maurice Edward Robertson (Maury, 1906 – 1965) established a UTOCO filling station named Robertson Service[2, 3]. In 1941, Sidney B. Clark (1895 – 1947) purchased the filling station from James Addison Lair (1876 – 1966)[4]. He immediately modified the facilities as the Clark’s Service Station & Grocery Store with cafe service[5].

Virginia Frances Gruver (1898 – 1978) purchased the Clark’s in 1943 and operated till 1972 selling Chevron gas with the phone number 285-2236[6]. Virginia moved here in 1942 from Cisco where she had managed a boarding house since 1929: she was the aunt of Ethel Spears who later operated Ethel’s Cafe at Cisco.

Virginia also contributed “Thompson News Items/Notes” to the newspaper Times-Independent from 1960 to 1976. The structure has gone by May 2019.

All the photos were taken on Sep. 10, 2017.

revised, Jul. 19, 2020

revised, Feb. 1, 2021

[1] Farewell, R.C., (1999) Rio Grande Secret Places Vol. 2, Colorado Railroad Museum
[2] Jun. 4, 1936 Times Independent;
[3] McGills, James, (2019) Bob Robertson's Boyhood Memories of Thompson Springs, Utah, JamesMcGills.com;
[4] Oct. 10, 1941 Times-Independent;
[5] Nov. 12, 1942 Times-Independent;
[6] Sep. 14, 1978 Times-Independent;


: Nov. 12, 1942 Times-Independent

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Reminders of the 70’s along Rio Grande 86 – La Rue’s Beauty Shop, Green River

: Sep. 10, 2017

LaRue’s Beauty Shop was a beauty shop located at the center of Green River, Utah on 42 South Broadway.

The structure itself is listed in 1910 Sanborn map as Print’g built with Conc. Blks. According to Utah Division of State History Historic Building Search, this 1-part block 20th Century Commercial building was built in 1910[1].

Georgia LaRue Hunt (1926 – 2012) established the Green River’s first beauty shop in 1955[2]. She operated it well into the 70’s[3].

It has been the Cut-N-Curl beauty salon operated by Mary Ellen Bastian since 1978[4].


[1] Utah Division of State History Historic Building Search form;
[2] Jul. 21, 1955 Green River Journal;
[3] May 27, 1976 Times-Independent;
[4] Cut & Curl information at Manta.com webpage;

: Jul. 21, 1955 Green River Journal

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Reminders of the 70’s along Rio Grande 87 – Dunham’s Fruit Stand, Green River

Dunham’s Fruit Stand is a roadside stand selling melons and watermelons. The stand is operated by Dunham Farm. According to Utah Division of State History Historic Building Search, this Bungalow style commercial building was built in 1925[1].

Fredrick Eugene (1928 – 2004) and Nancy Dunham moved to Green River from Grand Junction in 1955[2]. They bought the farm from Howard Eugene Silliman (1914 – 1999). Their son Chris seems succeeded the business in 1995[3].

Dunham Farm, Vetere Farm and Thayn Farm support the Green River Melon Days Festival held every September[4].

All photos taken on Sep. 10, 2017.

[1] Utah Division of State History Historic Building Search form;
[2] Jul. 28, 1955 Green River Journal;
[3] Dunham Farm information at Manta.com webpage;
[4] Melon Days official webpage;

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Ballard’s Service Station

: Oct. 2012 by Google map
: Oct. 20, 2005 by Kevin Delaney
: by Dale Harris

There used to be a gas service station, behind a small mound about half a mile west of Cisco Townsite, on the north side of US Hwy 50 & 6. The structure was intact at least in 2005. Unfortunately, however, nothing but the base of the gas pump left today.

Harry Ballard (1914 – 2005) and Wava Frances(1917 – 1969) Harris of Green River, Utah moved to Cisco in 1947[1]. Ballard was a road foreman of Utah Department of Transportation at Cisco, later at Thompson. Besides, they opened up this gas service station. Water application, to use from Mar. 1955 including the “service station purpose”, was appropriated to Ballard in Oct. 1954[2].

Wava became the postmistress at Cisco. Wava operated the post office here between 1959 and 1967[3].

If Ballard filled up Johnny Cash’s big black Cadillac, it must have been happened here in 1965 or 6[4, 5]. The station was still operating at least in 1970 according to the appropriated water application[6]. Ballard seems moved his business to Dewey next year[7]. There, Ballard and his second wife Ruth Maxine(1918 – 1999) operated the Dewey Service Station until 1987[8].

revised, Aug. 3, 2021

[1] Jun. 19, 1947 Times-Independent;
[2] Oct. 21, 1954 Times-Independent;
[3] You’ve Got a Mail – Postal Service at Cisco, Mar. 24, 2017, Boxcar Red Collection;
[4] Cash, Johnny (1967) Cisco Clifton’s Fillin’ Station lylics;
[5] arx (2017) An Expression Derived From Cisco − "Cisco Clifton’s Fillin’ Station", Boxcar Red Collection;
[6] Nov. 12, 1970 Times-Independent;
[7] Feb. 25, 1971 Times-Independent;
[8] May 23, 2012 The Daily Sentinel;

: Sep. 10, 2017
: Sep. 10, 2017
: July 21, 1955 Green River Journal

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