Basically a Ghost Town and a Lighthouse

 Beaver, UT  - Still hot in the 90s. Better than Apache Junction's 110 and above.

Panaca Chapel

The oldest building in Lincoln County, constructed in 1867-1868 of adobe from the swamps west of town. Built as a Mormon chapel, used also as a school and recreation hall.

Modena, UT

In 1899, the town of Modena became a major supplier of water for the railroad steam engines because it was on the route between Salt Lake City and Southern California.  But like other water-stop towns, their fate was sealed and people moved away.

Two technology developments caused their demise. First, was the invention of the diesel locomotive engine which did not require water. And then the growth of automobiles and trucks for hauling freight along with paved highways made trains obsolete to a great extent.

 

This two room school house now serves as a small library for the few people who live there. 

So is it a ghost town or not since a few people still live there? In fact I actually waved to two of them who were out and about.

Cedar City, Utah Temple

Dedicated in 2017, the temple sits high on Leigh Hill.

 

So why does Cedar City have a landlocked lighthouse?

 

There are a few claims about why the 88 feet tall lighthouse was built 450 miles away from the nearest ocean.

One story says that it was originally a lighthouse in Europe that was disassembled and transported to Utah.

Another claim is that it was a church.  And a third claim is that it was built in preparation for the big earthquake when California drops off into the ocean leaving the lighthouse in Cedar City the only lighthouse on the "new" Pacific Coast.

The lighthouse is located at a very busy intersection and not easy to take a picture of. In fact, I got in the wrong lane trying to get closer to it and ended up going south on the interstate. Beaver (my destination) was north. Glad I wasn't in a hurry.