Rains

Railroad trestle.
 

Horses now run through the homes where people once lived.

Rains is located up Spring Canyon.  Foundations are scattered wherever you look through the canyon.  Most of the structures have fallen here or have been torn down.  The remains of what was used to be the railroad is quite impressive, especially the large trestle.  What's left of the town has been turned into a ranch and now horses gallop through the remaining buildings.

The coal veins are thicker in the western reaches of Spring Canyon than anywhere else.  L.F. Rains, a former grand opera singer (who found more challenge in coal mining) opened a mine in this western, eighteen-foot thick seam in 1915.  The mine soon produced nearly 2000 tons per day. There once stood sixty houses, a boarding house, a post office, a school, and a store.  The population decreased by the 1940's and the canyon was virtually abandoned by the mid 1950's.

Spring Canyon is a very pretty drive and well worth the trip.  As you drive up the canyon, there are several ghost towns with many remains left.  Check out the map and be sure to stop by the other places as well.  Head up Spring Canyon from Helper.  Stop and ask someone at a service station how to find the Canyon Street and you're on your way.

2 stars.