Fruita, Utah

Fruita is the best-known settlement in Capitol Reef National Park in Wayne County, Utah, United States. It is located at the confluence of Fremont River and Sulphur Creek. Despite its status as ghost town, it is the location of the National Park Service's employee residences.

Fruita
Ghost town
The historic Fruita schoolhouse
The historic Fruita schoolhouse
Fruita is located in Utah
Fruita
Fruita
Location of Fruita in Utah
Fruita is located in the United States
Fruita
Fruita
Fruita (the United States)
Coordinates: 38°17′08″N 111°14′39″W
CountryUnited States
StateUtah
CountyWayne
Founded1880
Abandoned1955
Elevation
[1]
5,436 ft (1,657 m)
GNIS feature ID1441249[1]

History

Fruita was established in 1880 by a group of Mormons led by Nels Johnson, under the name Junction. The town became known as Fruita in 1902 or 1904. In 1900, Fruita was named The Eden of Wayne County for its large orchards. Fruita was abandoned in 1955 when the National Park Service purchased the town to be included in Capitol Reef National Park.

Today few buildings remain, except for the restored schoolhouse and the Gifford house and barn. The orchards remain, now under the ownership of the National Park Service, and have about 2,500 trees. The orchards are preserved by the NPS as a "historic landscape" and a small crew takes care of them by pruning, irrigating, replanting, and spraying them.

The one-room schoolhouse was built and opened in 1896. The few students were instructed mainly in reading, writing, and arithmetic, but when the teachers were capable, they also studied other subjects such as history or geography. The room was also used for balls and religious services. It was renovated in 1966 by the National Park Service.[2]

Fruita is currently the heart and administrative center of Capitol Reef National Park.

View from canyon's edge

See also
  • Used as the setting for Western Five Bloody Graves 1970, according to DVD audio commentary.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Fruita has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.[3]

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fruita
  2. Fruita Schoolhouse — National Register of Historic Places - Original Nomination Form
  3. Climate Summary for Fruita, Utah

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