Postcard of Castle Gate Utah, on line of D.R.G.R.R (Denver and Rio Grande Railroad), 1930

“Castle Gate, Utah got its start in 1886 when the Pleasant Valley Coal Company began mining operations. This company town of miners was surrounded by rock formations, cliffs, mountains, and valleys, as well as another interesting element – outlaws. The remote region was a perfect hideout for cattle rustlers and train robbers, including one of the Old West’s most famous characters – Butch Cassidy and his gang of bandits.

On April 21, 1897, the train from Salt Lake City coasted into Castle Gate carrying the payroll for the Pleasant Valley Coal Company. Shortly before the train arrived, a lone cowboy had hitched his horse in front of the saloon and sat inside waiting for the sound of the train whistle. When he heard it, he left the saloon and made his way down to the train. As the lone cowboy sat watching, another cowboy was loitering near the stairway of the company office.

As the baggage was unloaded from the train, three men, including the company paymaster and two guards, gathered the payroll, consisting of three bags, estimated at $8,800, emerged from the Baggage Room and headed to the Company office some 75 yards away.

However, before they reached the office, the lone cowboy held the three at gunpoint, taking the largest bag from the paymaster. In the meantime, the other man also approached, relieving them of another bag. In broad daylight, the two men had stolen the company payroll, with only one person attempting to interfere. When a customer at a nearby store tried to interlude, he was met with a gun.

The two cowboys, now known to have been Butch Cassidy, and Elza Lay, got on their horses and rode south, pursued by two citizens, one in a buggy, and the other on horseback shouting, "Bring that money back!" But it was too late, the pair were gone, along with an estimated $7,000.

The outlaw loot was never recovered and many believe it was hidden by the gang somewhere near Robbers Roost located along the Outlaw Trail, in southeastern Utah.” *

Castle Gate Power Plant

Castle Gate is considered a ghost town today. With everything the mining town went through, it’s understandable.

Located near Price Canyon the town get its name from the surrounding rock formations that rise up on either side of the Price River. Coal was mined starting in 1886 before the town existed. By 1914 Castle Gate became an official town and the coal mining had expanded to three separate mines by 1922. The coal produced was known to be extremely high quality, as such it was used to fuel steam powered locomotives.

Other than the robbery that occurred, Castle Gate is known for one other historical event.

The Castle Gate Mine Disaster in 1924 takes the record for the third worst mining accident at the time in the US and remains the 10^th deadliest today.  172 men were killed, all the men in the #2 mine shaft and one from the rescue crew. The morning of the accident started with the first of three explosions rocking the canyon. A mining car, telephone poles and other equipment were thrown across the canyon. A second explosion shortly followed, ending the lives of the miners. The third explosion went off a while later, collapsing the mining cave.

Improperly dampened coal dust and the relighting of a gas lamp caused the explosions. The first by one individual and then when the rest of the lamps when out from the first blast the second was ignited.

Removed from the map 1974, Castle Gate citizens were moved to the surrounding area of Helper, UT. A coal processing facility eventually took up shop.

However even that coal facility was shut down, two years ago (as of 2017) marked the last year that Castle Gate Power Plant would run. “The plant was closed in the Spring of 2015 in anticipation of new EPA regulations. President Barack Obama will unveil on August 3, 2015 the final version of his plan to tackle greenhouse gases from coal-fired power plants, kicking off what is expected to be a tumultuous legal battle between federal environmental regulators and coal industry supporters.” **