Ghost town-Grafton

 

After crossing the bridge, we drove out into the countryside following the signs posted for Grafton. The road turned from newly paved into an older road and then into a dirt road. We kept heading on. Then the road started to be very winding and narrow and bumpy. It occurred to me that perhaps you can't drive a motor home out to this place. However at this point, there was no place to turn around so we kept going forward. Luckily we didn't pass another car because there would not have been room on much of the road.

It was an adventure, but I was so glad we went. We stopped first at the town's cemetery. Mounds of graves barely dug into the hard ground. Names of those who died as they tried to build a life in the difficult conditions around the Virgin River. One family lost five family members to illness one year and then lost two other daughters on the same day the next spring due to an accident "on the swing". So sad. There was a sweet feeling there despite the sadness and dirt and rock.

Our "4-wheeling" RV

I think the town existed during the 1860's if I remember correctly. People left their town and gather together in large towns for awhile due to Indian troubles and then went back hoping to have better luck then a few years later left the town for good.

The town was down from the cemetery. We took a minute and had lunch and then visited the few homes and the Church/school which have been restored and preserved. Here is Grafton:

A farm home

A nearby barn or shed

A look from the first home toward the "main part of town"

The school/Church/community center
notice the bell tower on top

Someone had placed these old shoes with a flowe
on the top step of the school

This is in the doorway of the house next to the school

So, I told Gary that we needed a "romantic picture"
in the doorway since this is in style at the moment.
Gary agreed but then started laughing as we waited and
waited for Jena to take the picture.
By the time the picture was taken, Gary was tipping back and
I am just about to lose my balance...so much for romance!

house across the street

A simple fence

a tree swing

And since I am into bridges, here is shot of another type of bridge....


Crossing over a tiny stream to get to a house

 

Other interesting things along the road:

 

A pioeer trek getting started for the weekend.
I am thinking that they are camping near Grafton
as we saw an area with lots of cars in the middle
of nowhere.

If you are ever heading to Zion's, put this on your travel plans!