Some ghost towns feel like museums. Dewey feels like an interruption — a place that stopped mid-sentence. George Dewey Clyde (July 21, 1898 – April 2, 1972) was an American politician and the tenth governor of Utah, serving two terms from 1957 until 1965 as a Republican.
Grand County County holds 7 documented ghost towns, including Castleton, Elgin, Miners Basin — Dewey keeps them company on the map.
The story of Dewey
Utah's ghost towns split between failed Mormon farm villages and the rough mining camps the faithful mostly watched from a distance.
George Dewey Clyde (July 21, 1898 – April 2, 1972) was an American politician and the tenth governor of Utah, serving two terms from 1957 until 1965 as a Republican. Although Clyde was on the faculty of Utah State University for twenty-two years, serving as Dean of the agricultural college's College of Engineering and Technology, he is best known for an eight-year battle with Utah school teachers that eventually resulted in the first statewide teachers strike in United States history during May 1964. He was also involved in the creation of Canyonlands National Park.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Dewey is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to Dewey is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Dewey is roughly 38.8108, -109.3056 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.
Good to know
Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.
Survey Map
Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting
Dewey FAQs
01Where is Dewey located?
02What county is Dewey in?
03What is the history of Dewey?
04What remains at Dewey today?
05Can you visit Dewey?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“George Dewey Clyde”), CC BY-SA.
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