Linwood - The Town That Drowned
Center panel:
From this point you can see Linwood Bay of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Beneath the surface of the reservoir at the far western end, lies the site of the town of Linwood. When Flaming Gorge Dam was built in the early 1960's, the rising water of the reservoir covered the small town. It was laid out in 1900 by George Solomon who carefully planted many rows of cottonwood trees, giving the town its name "Linwood."
This area is a reminder of the colorful and exciting days of Indians, trappers, explorers, settlers, cowboys and outlaws. Although Linwood itself has vanished, the memory of one of the last towns of the "Old West" lingers on.
The Green River
In front of the vista point is the original bed of the mighty Green River, the major source of water for Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
The 41st Parallel
The Utah-Wyoming border, located on the 41st parallel, ran directly through the middle of Linwood making it an interesting community since it was in two different states.
Left panel:
Nearby Points of Interest
The Uinta Mountains
The only major mountain range in the Western Hemisphere to run east and west, the Uinta Mountains form the southern boundary of this area.
Flaming Gorge
Named by John Wesley Powell in 1869, Flaming Gorge is probably the most interesting and dramatic geological feature in the area. It is located in front of you to the left at the end of the range of mountains.
Different Geological Formations
It's interesting to note the different geological formations of the area.
Right panel:
Henry's Fork
Named for Maj. Andrew Henry, the fork was an early camping and gathering place for trappers, traders and explorers. Gen. William Ashley originated the "rendezvous" system for fur trade here. Early in July, 1825, 120 trappers and mountain men arrived at the first rendezvous site, approximately 15 miles up Henry's Fork, to trade furs and supplies.
Uncle Jack Robinson's Cabin
The first permanent settler in the area was John Robinson, known as "Uncle Jack Robinson," who built a cabin on Lower Henry's Fork in 1834-35. The cabin was moved to a location near Flaming Gorge Recreation Area.
Other Points
Also located in the area was Jim Baker's Trading Post, established in 1839. Soon after, the famous explorer, Jim Bridger, built a fort at Bridger Bottom. The famous Colorado River expedition led by John Wesley Powell camped below this point in 1869.
Two Canals
The Lucerne Valley Land and Water Company Canal and the People's Canal were completed near the turn of the century. The canals brought irrigation to settlers in the dry valleys.
Bob Swift's Bucket of Blood Saloon
Located a few hundred yards from Uncle Jack's cabin, the "wild and wooly" saloon was frequented by such outlaws as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the McCarty boys, and the Curry gang.
The Linwood School or "Stateline School"
The school, which was constructed in the fall of 1904, has the distinction of being the only school in the country to be run by two different state school boards - the north half of the school was in Wyoming and the south half was in Utah. The school is now used as a grainary one mile north of its original location.
Octagonal Dancehall
The dance hall was a beautiful and magnificent structure and had the first real hardwood floor in the region.
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