Weary travelers watch for rest stops along their journey so they can stretch their legs and use the restroom. While Utah certainly has many nice rest stops along its freeways and highways, there’s one quaint little stop that actually commemorates a ghost town that’s long gone.
When you’re traveling along Route 6 between Helper and Spanish Fork, you’ll come across a quaint little rest stop.
Google It’s located at 17845 US-6.
The first thing you notice as you pull up is that the rest stop is designed to look like a replica train station.
Tx traveler/Google The rest stop is very near the spot where the ghost town of Tucker stood. Several years ago, there was a rest stop at that location, but when US 6 was diverted, it was buried to make way for the road. A new rest stop was built just a couple miles down the road, and it pays homage to the little railroad town that once existed nearby.
You’ll find a historic marker here that tells you a bit about the people who lived in Tucker.
Cortney Reber/Google Tucker was a little town of about 500 people that sprung up when a railroad station was built there. The station housed the helper engines that assisted the trains up and over Soldier Summit. The town came to an end when the railroad diverted its tracks to a make the trip over the summit easier. Eventually, the railroad station, homes and buildings were all demolished.
The replica station is quaint, but also functional as a rest stop.
Bridget Petersen/Google
Even the interior has historic details, but also offers travelers information, vending machines and clean restrooms.
Tx traveler/Google
A covered area is meant to resemble the roundhouse at the station.
Shawn Cordner/Google The replica engine is housed in one end of the roundhouse.
The replica steam locomotive was built to resemble a helper engine from the early 1900s.
Utah Department of Transportation/flickr
This covered area also offers information about the surrounding area…
Tx traveler/Google
…and also some shaded picnic tables so you can enjoy a quick snack or lunch before you continue on your journey.
Tx traveler/Google
A replica water tower stands on the grounds, too. The trains that originally went through Tucker would have relied on the water from a tank like this to produce the steam needed to get over the summit.
Allena Munoz/Google
The grounds are nice and shady in the summer, and are a good place for a quick stroll.
Evan P./Google
You’ll also find a fenced pet area so that your furry friend can stretch his legs and get a little exercise.
Carolyn Tuck/Google
This rest stop is unlike any other that you’ll see along Utah’s freeways and highways.
Roy R./Google The next time you find yourself driving along US 6, take a minute to stop at this quaint spot.
Have you ever visited the Tie Fork Rest Area?
It’s located at 17845 US-6.
Tx traveler/Google
The rest stop is very near the spot where the ghost town of Tucker stood. Several years ago, there was a rest stop at that location, but when US 6 was diverted, it was buried to make way for the road. A new rest stop was built just a couple miles down the road, and it pays homage to the little railroad town that once existed nearby.
Cortney Reber/Google
Tucker was a little town of about 500 people that sprung up when a railroad station was built there. The station housed the helper engines that assisted the trains up and over Soldier Summit. The town came to an end when the railroad diverted its tracks to a make the trip over the summit easier. Eventually, the railroad station, homes and buildings were all demolished.
Bridget Petersen/Google
Shawn Cordner/Google
The replica engine is housed in one end of the roundhouse.
Utah Department of Transportation/flickr
Allena Munoz/Google
Evan P./Google
Carolyn Tuck/Google
Roy R./Google
The next time you find yourself driving along US 6, take a minute to stop at this quaint spot.
If you’re up for some exploration, take a look at our road trips. Here’s one in northern Utah that won’t break your budget.
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