Ghost Town – Yost, Utah

Located in the northwest corner of Box Elder County, Utah, is the ghost town of Yost. In 1879, Charles Yost, a cattleman from Nevada, and Levi Campbell, a farmer, became the first settlers in the valley, which was originally called George Creek. Charles Yost remained in the area and became the postmaster in 1887. In 1892, the U.S. Government surveyed the valley and recorded that 15 families, with a total population of 91 people, were living in the area. The peak population reached 251 people in 1910. In 1886, a schoolhouse, civic hall, and church were built. In 1898, a large rock church was built, and construction of a brick schoolhouse began in 1908.

By the time the valley was settled, the railroads were still over 100 miles away. As a result, most freight was carried by wagon, making Yost largely a destination reached only by that means. Though the town’s population steadily declined, the residents of Yost incorporated their city in August 1935 during the Great Depression. In January 1984, the city was disincorporated.

Yost sits in northern Utah as a ghost town; never having had a paved road, remnants of farming and cattle ranching still exist. During my visit, one of the residents saw us and came out of her home. She spent time talking to my family about the history of the city and what she had learned about the prior residents who had called Yost their hometown.

Camera: Nikon FA (1983 – 1988)
Film: Ferrania P33 ISO 160
Process: Kodak HC-110 (1+31) 9 Min @ 20° C
Scanned: Epson V700 Photo