Iosepa

Mormon missionaries were sent to Hawaii to preach the gospel and were quite successful in their efforts. In the middle 1880's, many of those that were converted came to Utah. Church authorities asked the group of Hawaiians to settle a patch of land in a place called Skull Valley. It was a dry desert land with little water. The group settled the land and called it Iosepa (Yo-see-paa) in honor of the sixth president of the LDS church, Joseph F. Smith. 

The town prospered, astonishingly, considering the circumstances. However, around 1896, the town's population ceased to grow. The death rate became higher than the birth rate, especially since many new arrivals would see the land, turn around and head back to Hawaii. A scourge found in Hawaii, leprosy, followed the group to Utah. Iosepa was the only place in Utah to have a leper colony. At the turn of the century, the town began to fail.

In 1916, the church announced plans to build a temple in Hawaii. Most the people in the town moved out and the town died out.

The only thing left in the area is the Iosepa cemetery. It has been well kept and Utah Hawaiians have built a picnic and activity area where they meet and have reunions.

To find Iosepa, take 1-80 from Salt Lake to Wendover. Take the Timpie exit and head south on State road 196. 15 miles later, you'll see signs indicating Iosepa's location. You'll turn left off the main road onto a dirt road and head east for about a mile.

1 star.