Rockville, Utah — the town once called “Utah’s Last Treasure.” Founded after the devastating Virgin River flood of 1862, Rockville rose from the mud to become one of Southern Utah’s most beautiful and enduring settlements. From floods and faith healers to bears, telegraph lines, and the rise of Zion National Park next door, this episode uncovers the story of the town that refused to disappear — and the people who built the heart of the Virgin River Valley.

🎧 Join the community: → Become a patron: https://patreon.com/whatoncewas → Follow on Instagram: @whatoncewas.podcast

The stories I share are based on old records, newspapers, local legends, and oral histories. While I do my best to tell them truthfully, some details may be lost to time.

Please remember—many of the places we mention are on private land. Don’t trespass or go exploring without permission. Let’s keep history alive without disturbing what’s left of it.

Intro music is "A Calm Hellfire" by the Wayward Hearts

Conch shell Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay

Episode 8 of What Once Was takes you deep into the forgotten history of Southern Utah’s Virgin River settlements. From Duncan’s Retreat to Northrop, and Shonesburg/Shunesburg, we trace the lives of early pioneers who battled floods, isolation, and conflict in the shadow of what is now Zion National Park. You’ll hear stories of Native encounters, love and loss, and communities that rose with hope only to vanish with time.

If you’re fascinated by Utah history, Mormon pioneer settlements, or the ghost towns scattered across Southern Utah, this episode brings the past to life through immersive storytelling and real historical accounts. Perfect for history lovers, road-trippers, and anyone curious about the people who carved out lives along the Virgin River.

🎧 Join the community: → Become a patron: https://patreon.com/whatoncewas → Follow on Instagram: @whatoncewas.podcast

The stories I share are based on old records, newspapers, local legends, and oral histories. While I do my best to tell them truthfully, some details may be lost to time.

Please remember—many of the places we mention are on private land. Don’t trespass or go exploring without permission. Let’s keep history alive without disturbing what’s left of it.

Intro music is "A Calm Hellfire" by the Wayward Hearts

Grafton, Utah — today it’s one of the most photographed ghost towns in the West. But in the mid to late 1800s, it was a community clinging to the banks of the Virgin River, where floods, fears and faith tested every family who lived there. From the Marvelous Flood Tenney’s unforgettable birth to the tragedies in the cemetery, to the violence of the Black Hawk War and the final blow of the Hurricane Canal, this episode dives into the stories settlers and their descendants passed down. Alongside them are the Southern Paiute families who were here first — guides, friends, protectors, and sometimes adversaries. This is the story of Grafton: not just a ghost town, but a place where joy, grief, and resilience left a lasting mark on southern Utah history.