Near Helper in Carbon County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Utah's Coal Industry

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 30, 2018

1. Utah's Coal Industry Marker

Inscription. The name Carbon County appropriately suggests the importance of carbon products to the economy and history of this area.
The first commercial development of coal occurred in this vicinity in the 1870's and soon out distanced production in other sections of Utah.
The great impetus to the industry and settlement of the area came with the extension of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad from Colorado through this canyon to Salt Lake City in 1883.
Particularly during World War II, coal from Carbon County placed Utah among the leading coke and coal producers of America with vast reserves still to be developed. In addition oil shale and tar sands offer a rich potential as a source of petroleum.
A major use of coal is destined to be in the production of electricity as occurs in the Utah Power and Light Company steam plant near this site.

Erected by Utah State Department of Highways.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 39° 43.93′ N, 110° 52.239′ W. Marker is near Helper, Utah, in Carbon County. It is on U.S. 6 half a mile north of U.S. 191, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Helper UT 84526, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Canyon Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pleasant Valley Coal Company (a few steps from this marker); Castle Gate Mine Disaster (within shouting distance of this marker); Willow Creek Mine Explosion (within shouting distance of this marker); Carbon Plant (within shouting distance of this marker); Carbon Fuel Company #2 Mine (approx. 2.7 miles away); Rolapp / Royal (approx. 2.7 miles away); Rainbow Inn (approx. 2.8 miles away); WPA - PWA (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helper.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 30, 2018

2. Utah's Coal Industry Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 30, 2018

3. Utah's Coal Industry Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 490 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 16, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.