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Emery County


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Emery County Facts:

County Website: Emery County
Area: 4,472 square miles
Population:10,144 (2023)
Founding Year: February 12, 1880
County Seat: Castle Dale
Origin of County Name: after territorial governor George W. Emery
Cities/Towns: Castle Dale, Clawson, Cleveland, Elmo, Emery, Ferron, Green River, Huntington, Orangeville
Economy: electric power generating, coal mining, livestock
Points of Interest: Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, The Green River, Joe's Valley Reservoir, Huntington Canyon, Emery County Museums, Goblin Valley State Park, The San Rafael Swell
Geography: Wasatch Plateau mountains, Castle Valley settlements, San Rafael Swell desert
Historical Significance: Settled 1877 by Sanpete County families, named after Governor George W. Emery
Notable Residents: Specific notable residents not widely documented
Natural Resources: Coal, natural gas, uranium, fertile soils

About Emery County:

Emery County, located in the heart of Utah, is roughly square in shape and rich in natural and cultural history. Visitors can explore the Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, one of the largest dinosaur quarries in the world, where evidence of ancient life is still being uncovered. Long before that, the area was home to the Desert Archaic and Fremont peoples, some of the region’s earliest human inhabitants. The county was officially formed in 1894 and named after George W. Emery, a former territorial governor.

One of the most popular attractions in the area is Goblin Valley State Park, known for its unusual goblin-shaped sandstone formations that are unique to the region. Travelers passing through during the watermelon harvest season should stop in Green River to enjoy one of its world-famous watermelons. The nearby San Rafael Swell also features many overlooked geological formations, offering a landscape full of surprises.

 

Resources:

More information for Emery County can be found at the following sites:

 

Gallery:


Goblin Valley State Park is famous for its unique, goblin-like sandstone formations, making it one of Utah’s most otherworldly and popular outdoor destinations.
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Temple Mountain, located in the southeast region of the San Rafael Swell, is a prominent geological feature known for its striking cliffs and rich mining history.
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The San Rafael Swell is a large geological formation in central Utah, known for its dramatic canyons, mesas and rugged desert landscape.
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The San Rafael Swell offers a wealth of recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, rock climbing and exploring ancient petroglyphs and historic sites.
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The Museum of the San Rafael in Castle Dale, Utah, features exhibits on local history, paleontology and the cultural heritage of Emery County.
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The city hall of Castle Dale, Utah, the center of civic affairs, was formerly the Castle Dale School.
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The Hunter Power Plant is a coal-fired power plant located just south of Castle Dale, Utah and is a major source of electricity for the region
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The Denver and Rio Grande Lime Kiln, located southeast of Cleveland, Utah, is a historic structure once used to produce lime for construction and industrial purposes.
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The entrance to the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry marks the beginning of a site renowned for its dense concentration of Jurassic-era dinosaur fossils.
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An Allosaurus Atrox is on public display at the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry museum, showcasing one of the most complete dinosaur skeletons found at the site.
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Huntington State Park in Emery County offers a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, camping and wildlife viewing.
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Autumn colors along Huntington Creek create a picturesque scene, as the surrounding trees display rich reds, oranges and yellows during the fall season.
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The Orangeville City Office in Orangeville, Utah, serves as the administrative hub for local government services and community matters.
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The post office in Clawson, Utah, serves as a vital point of communication and services for the small community.
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The Samuel Singleton House, a historic home in Ferron, Utah, is an important example of early settler architecture in the region
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The most prominent panel of the Ferron Box Pictographs and Petroglyphs, a rock art site located near Ferron, Utah, features designs that provide insight into the area's ancient Native American cultures.
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