Silver Reef Ghost Town & Museum
Historic sites
A restored 1870s–1880s silver-mining boomtown near Leeds, Utah, notable for silver found in sandstone; its museum occupies the historic Wells Fargo Express building with artifacts, a walking trail, and interpretive exhibits.
History
Silver Reef sprang up in the late 1870s after silver was discovered embedded in sandstone—a geological rarity that drew miners and turned the site into a thriving boomtown of several thousand residents. The town declined as ore values fell in the 1880s and eventually became a ghost town. Today several original structures survive, and the site is listed on both the National and Utah State registers of historic buildings.
The Museum
The Silver Reef Museum is housed in the restored 1878 Wells Fargo Express building along the old Main Street. Exhibits cover the mining era, the town's diverse population, and its silver-in-sandstone geology, and an interpretive walking trail leads visitors past historic building ruins and points of interest on the grounds. The site sits at 1903 Wells Fargo Road in Leeds, about 18 miles north of St. George just off I-15. Because posted hours vary by source and season, confirm current tour times and admission by phone before visiting.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Silver Reef's silver deposits unusual?
Silver at Silver Reef was found in sandstone, a geological rarity that made the district notable and drew miners in the late 1870s.
What building houses the Silver Reef Museum?
The museum occupies the restored 1878 Wells Fargo Express building on the town's historic Main Street. The site is listed on the National and Utah State registers of historic buildings.
Where is Silver Reef located?
It is at 1903 Wells Fargo Road in Leeds, Utah, roughly 18 miles north of St. George off Interstate 15.
Address
1903 Wells Fargo RoadLeeds, UT 84746
Contact
- Website: http://www.silverreefutah.org/
- Work Phone: 435-879-2254