History Winter Quarters, Utah

prior discovery of coal in 1875, several pioneers had settled in pleasant valley, winter quarters located. in late 1875, pleasant valley coal company began coal mining operations. in winter of 1877, group of fourteen coal miners led peter morgan traveling fairview sanpete county. became trapped in snow several months, led camp s name of winter quarters. winter quarters mine developed, miners began move area. town grew, need railroad increased. in response town s high demand railroad, in 1879, milan packard, merchant springville, financed construction of railroad springville winter quarters , scofield. railroad named utah , pleasant valley railroad until purchased denver , rio grande western railroad in 1883. approximately 1,800 people living in winter quarters 1900, , mine considered safest in state. town s main street on mile long, , had many businesses, of made of stone.

on may 1, 1900, explosion occurred in winter quarters number 4 mine. following explosion, miners working in winter quarters number 1 mine, connected number 4 mine, killed carbon monoxide gas product of mine explosion. rescue crews consisting of men clear creek, castle gate, , sunnyside, along locals valley, worked week recovering bodies. final death count reported pleasant valley coal company 200, though other reports reported 246 deaths. 62 of deceased finns. state inspector s report concluded cause of explosion accidental ignition of black powder, ignited coal dust in air. pleasant valley coal company supplied each deceased miner coffin , burial clothes. company provided $500 each family affected mine explosion.

following mine disaster, mining operations in winter quarters continued until new mine opened @ castle gate in 1922. miners winter quarters , scofield relocated new mine, , result, coal production in pleasant valley began decrease. in 1930, last few residents of winter quarters relocated more productive area.