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Utah is a state whose history dates much farther back than the days of the early settlers! Ancestral Puebloans lived in Utah almost 12,000 years ago, and their mark is still left on carved red stones found in many of the cities below. Whether you love ancient history or strolling through old mining settlements, these seven Utah towns feel like they're frozen in time. From the petroglyphs of the Anasazi in Moab to old Wild West movie sets in Kanab, you don鈥檛 need a timeship to experience the history of Utah in these quaint hidden gems!

Spring City

Just an hour outside of Salt Lake City is the quaint village of Spring City. The entire area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because it is home to Utah鈥檚 best-preserved pioneer architecture. The Horseshoe Mountain Pottery should be your first stop in Spring City. It鈥檚 a rustic shop that offers unique treasures, but it also offers the Spring City Guide to Architecture and History which lists the historical residences in town. A great way to spend your time in Spring City is by taking a self-guided tour of the amazing houses scattered throughout the city.

However, you won鈥檛 need a guide to catch a glimpse of Spring City's crowning jewel, the Spring City Chapel. Built between 1897 and 1911 of oolitic limestone, it鈥檚 a shining example of early LDS architecture. The Old Jail House remains a bit of a Spring City mystery, with its exact date unknown. Spring City restored the old jail in 2004 and converted it into a museum with artifacts from Spring City鈥檚 early days. If you want to travel back in time, be sure to check out Spring City!

Moab

While many Utah towns celebrate the days of the early pioneers, Moab鈥檚 history goes a little further back than the 18th century. The lands around Moab transports you thousands of years into the past when the Ancestral Puebloans inhabited the land. The area's biggest claim to fame is the Potash Road Petroglyphs, which are preserved rock carvings of the Anasazi. The petroglyphs and pictographs are mostly accessible by road, so you won鈥檛 have to travel deep into the Utah wilderness to catch a glimpse of these rare works of ancestral art.

Moab was once a thriving mining town, but like most mining operations, these communities were abandoned once the resources became exhausted. You can explore the ruins of these old towns, like the Cisco Ghost Town, which has rickey ruins of former residences and rusted cars that appear frozen in time. To the south of Moab is the Castleton Ghost Town, a settlement established in the late 1800s that now stands abandoned. If you love exploring ghost towns and prehistoric sites, be sure to check out Moab!

Parowan

Parowan is known as the 'Mother Town of Southern Utah' because it was the first settlement in the region. Settlers in Parowan eventually left to settle in other parts of the state, but Parowan served as a launching pad for the development of Utah. Parowan Heritage Park is a lovely open green space with monuments and plaques detailing Parowan鈥檚 rich heritage. Located on the south side of Parowan, it鈥檚 a wonderful place to enjoy Utah's landscape while learning about its past.

Just north of the park is the Parowan Old Rock Church Museum. Built in 1919, it was the focal point of the community, serving as a meetinghouse, community recreation center, and schoolhouse. Today, it documents Parowan鈥檚 past with artifacts from the early days of the area. If you love prehistoric history, the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs hosts the largest prehistoric rock carving art anywhere in the Western state! If you want to experience the very early days of Utah, be sure to add Parowan to your next Utah road trip.

Midway

Midway, also known as 鈥淟ittle Switzerland鈥�, was settled in the 1800s by Swiss and German immigrants. Everything from the blended Swiss and German architecture in the downtown buildings to the dramatic landscape of the Wasatch Back mountain range makes it feel like walking the streets of a cozy European village. Midway is a great escape from the ordinary, with unique parks and events held annually.

As a farming community, the Historic Tate Barn pays tribute to Midway鈥檚 past. Situated in the scenic Wasatch Mountain State Park, visitors can learn more about its impact on the area via plaques posted on the exterior. You can spend the day admiring the amazing architecture downtown any time of year, but Midway comes alive during its annual Swiss Days in the summer, hosting a parade, outdoor craft fair, and amazing food. Midway is a community that cherishes its heritage, and it can be felt in every corner of this European-inspired Midwest village!

Eureka

South of Provo is the timeless city of Eureka in the East Tintic Mountains. Fun fact: Eureka was once named Ruby Hollow but changed its name to Eureka (the Greek word for 鈥業 found it鈥�) after silver was discovered in the area. When comparing old photos of Eureka to today, not much has changed since the mining boom of the late 1800s. The streets are lined with old brick buildings now occupied by unique shops like Crazy Marys Rocks or Sipping Magic Coffee Apothecary on Eureka鈥檚 historic Main Street.

While downtown may still be bustling with shoppers and tourists, the abandoned remains of the old mining operation in Eureka lie just outside the city limits. The Centennial Eureka Mine, located within the Main Tintic Mining District, allows visitors to roam the ruins of the mining camp, occasionally stumbling upon long-forgotten buildings and mining equipment. With a downtown distinct frozen in time and remnants of Eureka鈥檚 bustling mining days on the outskirts of the city, it鈥檚 a fun adventure to explore this Utah hidden gem!

Helper

In the early 1800s through the 1960s, Helper was a thriving coal community. In fact, it earned its name thanks to the helper engines that assisted coal locomotives scale the steep climb up Soldier Summit. While it鈥檚 no longer a coal community, the town preserves its legacy by restoring the old buildings of Helper and has transformed it into a lively arts and tourist center.

One of the best ways to learn more about this historic village is via the Helper Museum. Located in a former hotel built in the early 1900s, it houses rare and unique artifacts of Helpers coal community origins. As a burgeoning artist community, many of the old brick commercial buildings on Main Street are now unique art galleries, like the Kt Gallery or the Steven Lee Adams Fine Arts Gallery. The old buildings in Helper may not have changed much over the years, but the small shops and attractions make walking the charming streets a real treat!

Kanab

If you want to experience the feeling of stepping into the Old West, there鈥檚 no better place than the remote town of Kanab. Fun fact: in the mid-1900s, it was referred to as Little Hollywood because so many Western movie sets were filmed in Kanab. While Hollywood doesn鈥檛 film in Kanab anymore, you can still visit the old filming locations, like the Gunsmoke movie set in Johnson Canyon. While the set is abandoned and a little rickey, it鈥檚 still exciting to explore the remains of this old Hollywood legacy!

You can also check out the fun Little Hollywood Museum, featuring preserved Hollywood sets, unique memorabilia, and a gift shop. However, the history of Kanab spans much farther back than the days of old Hollywood. To learn more about the origins of the Indigenous people and early settlers, the Kanab Museum houses thousands of artifacts dating from the Ancestral Puebloans, early settlers, and through the golden age of cinema. The community of Kanab takes much pride in its history, and it shows in every corner of this remote Utah retreat!

Step Into Utah鈥檚 Past

From red sand rock canyons to the Rocky Mountains, there鈥檚 no denying that Utah is a beautiful state. Beyond its natural appeal are small towns reflecting its deep roots and rich heritage. From early immigrant settlers transforming the Heber Valley into a Little Switzerland in Midway to the old mining community of Eureka, the history of Utah is as vast as the Mojave Desert! When you want to experience the Beehive State the way it was hundreds of years ago, pack your bags and check out these timeless Utah towns!