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Hanksville in Wayne County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
 

Wolverton Mill

 
 
Wolverton Mill Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, April 2, 2025
1. Wolverton Mill Marker
Inscription.
Originally commenced in 1921, the Wolverton Mill was an attempt to realize dreams of an elusive Spanish gold mine hidden in the tops of the Henry Mountains. Edwin Thatcher Wolverton, the mill's architect, builder, and operator, believed he could find the legendary mine where others had failed. Waiting for the right opportunity, Wolverton was not able to start construction on the mill until he was 60 years old. With the help of his two sons, Wolverton's dream project became a reality in spite of an old Indian medicine man's curse:

To whomever reopens these workings will come great calamity. His blood will turn to water, and even in his youth he will be an old man. His squaws and papooses will die, the earth will bring forth for him only poison weed instead of corn.

We don't know if Wolverton ever found his lost mine, but once in a while he would come to town with a little gold. Whether his dreams were realized or not, his mill stands as a unique monument to mining, perserverance, and genius.

Many people, including members of the Wolverton family, worked to complete this reconstruction. A detailed brochure explaining
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the mill and its operation is available at no charge. We hope your visit will be both informative and enjoyable.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
 
Location. 38° 22.003′ N, 110° 43.07′ W. Marker is in Hanksville, Utah, in Wayne County. It is at the intersection of East 100 North and W 450 S, on the right when traveling south on East 100 North. The marker is located on the southern corner of the waterwheel building near bushes. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 360 E 100 N, Hanksville UT 84734, 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 least 3 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hanksville Rock Meeting House (approx.
The view of the Wolverton Mill and Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, April 2, 2025
2. The view of the Wolverton Mill and Marker
0.4 miles away); Hanksville Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Henry Mountains (approx. 13.7 miles away).
 
Closeup of the waterwheel image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, April 2, 2025
3. Closeup of the waterwheel
The inside view of the Wolverton Mill image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, April 2, 2025
4. The inside view of the Wolverton Mill
Wolverton Mill image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, April 2, 2025
5. Wolverton Mill
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
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Jul. 28, 2026