Tooele in Tooele County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Railroads in Tooele County
Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 12, 2026
1. Railroads in Tooele County Marker
Early Railroads
Railroads were vital to the growth of cities and industry in Utah. Railroad and mining industries boomed in the state after the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Railways made it possible for large-scale mining in Utah to thrive. In turn, thousands of people migrated to Utah to take part in booming mining towns. The migrants came from many different cultures and created diverse communities in mining and railway towns in the state.
Less than five years after the Golden Spike Ceremony, railroads connected Tooele Valley to the rest of America. In 1874, the Utah Nevada Western Railroad linked northern Tooele Valley to Salt Lake City. In the early 1900s, the LASL/Union Pacific replaced the Utah Nevada Western with the Leamington Cutoff, which is the current rail line through Tooele City. This provided standard gauge tracks in the southeastern portion of Tooele County. By 1907, the Western Pacific Railroad completed a route across the northern section of the county. The railroads helped mining operations and provided reliable passenger service and soon became a part of everyday life. Even today,
this page online
World War II
During World War II, existing railroads helped make the area attractive for military installations. Railroads connected military installations across the American West making it easier to mobilize by moving munitions, supplies, and people quickly.
Tooele Valley Museum's Boxcar
The museum owns a Union Pacific boxcar, which was donated to the museum in 1983. After it was donated, museum volunteers painted it green. You can see the original color scheme in the photo.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.
Location. 40° 31.859′ N, 112° 17.351′ W. Marker is in Tooele, Utah, in Tooele County. It can be reached from the intersection of North Broadway Street and E. Vine Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker located in the the Tooele Valley Museum Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 N Broadway Street, Tooele UT 84074, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Wasatch Front,
Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 12, 2026
2. Railroads in Tooele County Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mining in Tooele (a few steps from this marker); Working on the Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); The Military in Tooele (within shouting distance of this marker); Tooele Valley Railroad Complex (within shouting distance of this marker); The Caboose (within shouting distance of this marker); The Powerhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Tooele Valley Railway Depot (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tooele Carnegie Free Public Library (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tooele.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 22 times since then. Last updated on June 16, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 16, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
