Scranton

In 1908, Scranton was established around the New Bullion Mine in the Tintic Mountains. Several men there managed to break some of the wild desert horses for work in the mine. Two years later the large pocket of ore played out and the camp was deserted. Up until 1971, there were still some intact homes left there, but they were burned down during a National Guard exercise in the area.

Not much is left in Scranton. The area is pretty and worth a drive to see the desert region. I spotted a herd of antelope close to the town site. Although there are no homes left, there are several mining ruins and it's fun to hike into the hills and explore.

Scranton is reached by heading south off of State Road 73 right next to the Pony Express Trail turn off. Go south for 5.3 miles and you'll run into some old ruins of what used to be the town of Topliff (not much there). Then continue south for another 6.4 miles and you'll see an old abandoned farm lot to the left of the road. You turn east there. You might have to unlatch a gate and drive in (latch the gate back up). Wind up the canyon for another 4.2 miles and you'll drive right into the town.

2 stars.