Simpson Springs
Encyclopedia
Simpson Springs was a water source on the trail west from Salt Lake City across the desert regions. It was first called Egan Spring for explorer Howard Egan, but renamed Simpson Springs for Captain James H. Simpson
following his work to establish a military mail route to California in 1858.
The site was undoubtedly used by Native Americans and possibly the Fremont Indian culture
s due to its good water supply. The old river bed several miles west has provided evidence of indigenous activity.
Simpson Springs was established as an Overland Mail station by George Chorpenning
for mule train
connection between Salt Lake and Sacramento
. It later became an important Pony Express
, Overland Stage, and later, Wells Fargo
stations on the trail through Utah desert. The station was discontinued after completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad
in 1869. It continued to be used for local freight between Fairfield
and Ibapah
into the 1890s.
The location was used as a Civilian Conservation Corps
camp in the late 1930s and early 1940s. In January 1942, the U.S. military established Dugway Proving Ground
in the area, which was occupied by military personnel through World War II
. The existing building on the site was built by the Future Farmers of America as a replica in 1975.
Simpson Springs lies in Tooele County, Utah
at an elevation of about 5000 ft (1,524 m) on a bajada of the northwest flank of the Simpson Mountains. The Simpson Buttes lie a few miles to the west within the Dugway military reservation. The site lies on the Simpson Springs Road portion of the historic Pony Express Trail 26 mi (41.8 km) west of Vernon, Utah
.
James H. Simpson
James Hervey Simpson was an officer in the U.S. Army and a member of the United States Topographical Engineers.-Early years:He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on March 9, 1813, the son of John Simpson and Mary Brunson. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1832 and was...
following his work to establish a military mail route to California in 1858.
The site was undoubtedly used by Native Americans and possibly the Fremont Indian culture
Fremont culture
The Fremont culture or Fremont people is a pre-Columbian archaeological culture which received its name from the Fremont River in the U.S. state of Utah where the first Fremont sites were discovered. The Fremont River itself is named for John Charles Frémont, an American explorer. It inhabited...
s due to its good water supply. The old river bed several miles west has provided evidence of indigenous activity.
Simpson Springs was established as an Overland Mail station by George Chorpenning
George Chorpenning
George W. Chorpenning Jr. was a pioneer in the transportation of mail, freight, and passengers through the arid and undeveloped western regions of the United States...
for mule train
Mule train
Mule train can refer to:*A connected line of mules*Mule Train, 1949 popular song written by Johnny Lange, Hy Heath, Doc Tommy Scott and Fred Glickman...
connection between Salt Lake and Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
. It later became an important Pony Express
Pony Express
The Pony Express was a fast mail service crossing the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the High Sierra from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, from April 3, 1860 to October 1861...
, Overland Stage, and later, Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
stations on the trail through Utah desert. The station was discontinued after completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad
First Transcontinental Railroad
The First Transcontinental Railroad was a railroad line built in the United States of America between 1863 and 1869 by the Central Pacific Railroad of California and the Union Pacific Railroad that connected its statutory Eastern terminus at Council Bluffs, Iowa/Omaha, Nebraska The First...
in 1869. It continued to be used for local freight between Fairfield
Fairfield, Utah
Fairfield is a town located in Utah County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Provo–Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The latitude of...
and Ibapah
Ibapah, Utah
Ibapah is a small unincorporated community in far western Tooele County, Utah, United States, near the Nevada state line. The town is located near the Deep Creek Mountains. The site was originally established in 1859 by Mormon missionaries sent to teach the local Native Americans farming methods...
into the 1890s.
The location was used as a Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
camp in the late 1930s and early 1940s. In January 1942, the U.S. military established Dugway Proving Ground
Dugway Proving Ground
Dugway Proving Ground is a US Army facility located approximately 85 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, Utah in southern Tooele County and just north of Juab County...
in the area, which was occupied by military personnel through World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The existing building on the site was built by the Future Farmers of America as a replica in 1975.
Simpson Springs lies in Tooele County, Utah
Tooele County, Utah
Tooele County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. As of 2000, the population was 40,735 and by 2005 was estimated at 51,311. Its county seat and largest city is Tooele....
at an elevation of about 5000 ft (1,524 m) on a bajada of the northwest flank of the Simpson Mountains. The Simpson Buttes lie a few miles to the west within the Dugway military reservation. The site lies on the Simpson Springs Road portion of the historic Pony Express Trail 26 mi (41.8 km) west of Vernon, Utah
Vernon, Utah
Vernon is a town in Tooele County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Salt Lake City, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 236 at the 2000 census....
.