Harrisburg Ghost Town near St. George, Utah
NAME: Harrisburg
COUNTY: Washington
ROADS: 2WD
CLIMATE: Cool winter with possible snow, warm summer.
COMMENTS: Right off I-15.
REMAINS: Many ruins.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime
One of the first settlements in the Southern Utah area was Harrisburg, founded in 1861 by Moses Harris and a few Mormon families who settled along Quail Creek. Despite their efforts in digging a 5-mile-long irrigation canal along what is now known as Leeds Creek, growth was hampered by rocky soil and limited land available for farming. Harrisburg came to be in 1862 when a flood destroyed the settlement of Harrisville and its residence were forced to move elsewhere. They named there new place of refinance Harrisburg after Moses Harris (the man who settled Harrisville). By 1864 128 people lived here, almost all the houses were made out of stone. In 1869 many people started to move away due to grasshopper plagues and flooding. Navajo Indian raids also chased many away. By around 1895 the last people had moved away and Harrisburg became a ghost town.
Today, remnants of a few pioneer homes and the restored Adams House are all that remain of Historic Harrisburg.
Today Interstate 15 runs right through the middle of the old town. The town sight left on east side of I15 is now a RV Camp. There are several old stone houses and walls left standing at this sight. A one lane road that goes under I15 from the RV Camp takes you over to what is left of Harrisburg on the west side of I15. Permission must be obtained from the RV Camp before going onto this property.
Harrisburg Ghosttown Near St. George, Utah