Dover | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 39°12′27″N 111°53′46″W / 39.20750°N 111.89611°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Utah |
County | Sanpete |
Founded | 1877 |
Abandoned | 1930s |
Founded by | William Robinson |
Named for | Dover |
Dover is a ghost town located in Sanpete County, Utah, United States. The site lies west of Fayette across the Sevier River.
The community was named after Dover, in England. [1]
The land was first settled in 1877–1878 by 45 families led by William Robinson. They found the soil was good, but water somewhat scarce. By 1879 they had a schoolhouse, also used for church and civic functions, and a post office, which operated until 1895. There were also two general stores, where residents typically paid for goods in kind with eggs. [2]
When Utah Territory achieved statehood on January 4, 1896, Dover's celebrations took a tragic turn. They had no cannon to fire, instead exploding some dynamite with a well-driving hammer. [3] The hammer, which had been through many such celebrations before, [2] blew apart, injuring several people. [3]
In the years 1910–1916, irrigation companies in Millard County dammed the Sevier River some distance to the north. [4] The resulting reservoir, now known as Yuba Reservoir, covered parts of Dover's farmland, driving out some of the residents. [3] A severe drought in the 1930s finished off the town; a few houses were moved, and most of the others were later torn down. [2] Nothing remains but some foundations and fallen buildings, and a memorial cemetery. [5]