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Utah JM | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Woodside, Utah tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Woodside, Utah

Miscellaneous photos taken of a small family-owned gas station on Highway 6 between Price and Green River, Utah. Photos taken 1999 and 2002.
ElliotMesa1999.jpg
ElliotMesa1999.jpg		 Station1999.jpg
Station1999.jpg		 Station2002.jpg
Station2002.jpg		 Cemetary-ElliotMesa.jpg
Cemetary-ElliotMesa.jpg
GeyserEruption0.jpg
GeyserEruption0.jpg		 GeyserEruption1.jpg
GeyserEruption1.jpg		 GeyserEruption2.jpg
GeyserEruption2.jpg		 Hwy6North2002.jpg
Hwy6North2002.jpg
Hwy6NorthWoodside2002.jpg
Hwy6NorthWoodside2002.jpg		 WoodsideElliots2002.jpg
WoodsideElliots2002.jpg		 Pano-Woodside360.jpg
Pano-Woodside360.jpg

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Carl Christmas 10-Sep-2013 02:39
The old timers can recall hearing about 2 Emma Johnsons,at least one of which worked at the hotel.Their relationship with President Buchanan would have been quite distant,if at all,
Guest 10-Sep-2013 02:20
Edward again:I hope someone can answer Linda's question from 2009 .Emma Johnson?Remember Emma Curtis was a Curtis by marraige ,and Harriet Johnson was a Johnson by marraige.It appears clear that there were family ties between Millers,Buchanans,Johnsons and Curtis'. I'm not into geneology although I find it interesting. Noone has ever mentioned an Emma Johnson to me but it seems potentially a common name in the Woodside area.
Guest 09-Sep-2013 20:15
By edward: Clarification.Emmeline Buchanan Curtis lived in woodside during her later life,died in 1899,and by all reports is buried in Roy's cemetary.The famous niece/first lady was Harriet Rebecca Lane Johnson.Dad was Elliot Tole Lane and Mom was Jane Ann Buchanan Lane. They were from PA. Both parents died by the time she was 11 and the extended Buchanan family took care of her. Her mothers people,including the future president.She is most likely interred in the Woodside cemetery or in Maryland. One thing for sure... her art collection,mostly European,is in the Smithsonian. I don't know who is there,But I would believe ANYTHING Roy Pogue says. I love visiting the cemetery in Woodside
Guest 09-Sep-2013 03:30
Edward No Price can be put on that sacred place .I hope Roy gets $3.9 M although he will just use it to help others. As a Vt builder, I strongly suspect that the geyser can be easily restored with a common drill rig.Rocks are easy but it could require a carbide or diamond particulate bit if there are auto parts down there, which I bet there are. I would volunteer to run the job if someone would put up money purely for out of pocket expenses. No profit or coordination/administrative costs.ZERO.Only major cost would Be moving in a small self contained drill rig (single large truck)and the hours of operation.The geyser was spectacular when it had both fixed interval large and minor eruptions years ago Roy freely allowed access until some jerk stole his 3/4 drive Craftsman socket off of his bulldozer.
History Teacher 01-Feb-2012 09:42
Several years ago, maybe 1995, while teaching Utah history in San Juan County, I stopped at the gas station and talked to the owner. A man, who I believe was the owner, talked to me for some time about the history. I was intrigued. One of the things he mentioned that no one has mentioned on the loop was an old blacksmith shop north of town 3 miles. It used to be an old shed with an underground hole behind where the blacksmith would rest his tired body in the heat of the day. The owner told of a story in which Butch Cassidy, after the hold up of Castlegate, ran south and stayed at the blacksmith shop until the posse left. Is this true?
History Teacher 01-Feb-2012 09:29
Several years ago, maybe 1995, while teaching Utah history in San Juan County, I stopped at the gas station and talked to the owner. A man, who I believe was the owner, talked to me for some time about the history. I was intrigued. One of the things he mentioned that no one has mentioned on the loop was an old blacksmith shop north of town 3 miles. It used to be an old shed with an underground hole behind where the blacksmith would rest his tired body in the heat of the day. The owner told of a story in which Butch Cassidy, after the hold up of Castlegate, ran south and stayed at the blacksmith shop until the posse left. Is this true?
Tim Booth 16-Apr-2011 17:14
I'm trying to find information on Forest Fracis Fox who lived in Woodside according to the 1920 census. Please e-mail me with information you might have. boothtim@msn.com
normanorem 12-Apr-2011 21:24
Only a little south of US Highway 6 crossing the Price river, don't miss the old spanish trail. A dirt road takes off to the west ending on utah highway 10 having much pretty scenery.
normanorem 31-Jul-2010 17:35
Sorry the geyser has not worked for years since children filled it with rocks hoping to cause a memorable event. The geyser was next to Highway 6 before the highway was repositioned to the east. I followed the railroad tracks from the south to view the old geyser location near the old house. Trains do go by!! There is a big silver mailbox along the fence line in front of the old gas station in Woodside.
Chris Y. 27-Jul-2010 19:38
Does anyone have a number for Roy C Pogue or know who we can contact to get permission to see the geyser for educational purposes? We are with the University of Utah and are interested in learning more about the area.
norman 21-Apr-2010 21:58
check summitpost.org and see beautiful pictures of mount elliott across the road to the east of woodside, utah. Search "objects" for mount elliott, utah and lots of information and pictures of that land due east will come up.
coyote Bob 03-Nov-2009 05:15
Roy is a man of Men,if half the people were like he is we would be in a better world.people need to respect him, most people on the road have not been nice to him. they try to jump his fence and rumage throuh his things and piss on his property,I think people should respect his signs and stay out unless they are invited.if I was him I would have all trespassers arested.
Mark Steele 15-Oct-2009 20:32
The 'niece' is Emeline Buchanan, married Simmons Philander Curtis and ended up in Springville, Utah. After his death, she moved in with her daughter and son in law who lived in Woodside. Died and was buried there. Her Gravestone is unique, has an etched picture of buildings with 'in my Father's house are many mansions'. Her father John was a first cousin of Pres. Buchanan, and was an immigrant from Ramelton, Ireland. He was a Mormon convert and died in Lima IL, 1839 or 40. Hope that isn't too much info. I am another descendant of Simmons P and Emeline.

Does the 'pyramid in PA' relate to Emeline Buchanan? I don't recall her ever living in PA.
Karen 15-Oct-2009 07:28
Glad to hear that. I had a chance to take some pictures of the geyser in the late 1980's. I was in a hurry and felt I could not do the subject justice. I have wanted to be able to go back again. Unfortunately, the 4-5 times I have gone by, the fence has been closed.
Someone that knows 07-Oct-2009 20:51
The Roy Pogue That died was not the same Roy Pogue that had the station. They were as different as night and day!
Karen 07-Oct-2009 06:57
Social Security Death Index
Name: Roy Clay Pogue
Date of Birth: Saturday November 02, 1918
Date of Death: Sunday July 20, 2008
Est. Age at death: 89 years, 8 months, 18 days
Linda 04-Oct-2009 20:28
I am interested in Woodside's history and visited the cemetery. I don't understand the connection of Emma Johnson to President Buchanan. I read that he named his neice, Harriet Lane, as first lady. Could someone explain?
Therese Bjorge 09-Sep-2009 22:16
I am also related to the Curtis, Miller and Johnson families. Thanks to everyone who is looking out for the site.
Utah JM02-Sep-2009 08:05
Hi there, yes Woodside is for sale and potable water was an issue when the store was open. To have it pass regulations would have required a treatment system and one was never put in before the store closed. I don't know how expensive such a system would be.

Thanks for the comments, Norman!
norman vw 24-Aug-2009 18:37
The 650 acres across the road to the east doesn't include the 49acres to the west with gas station and geyser. The property does include mineral rights and water rights, and is sold together for $3.5 million, a little over $5000 per acre. Agent jimmarrs.net has color pictures readily available on line.
norman vw 24-Aug-2009 17:14
I went to woodside yesterday. A guy lives there way in the back. The roadside geyser was near the OLD highway 6, a couple hundred yards to the west of the NEW highway six. The train tracks are to the west of everything and still use a railroad bridge dated 1925 over the Price river. The cemetery has a beautiful stone erected about ten years ago by Boy scouts with names and histories of the town. An old sign is across highway six to the southeast announcing a new motel/restaurant/RV park that has never been built. A current real estate agent sign announces 650 acres for sale by the old motel sign east of the highway. Two highway right-of-way survey markers are in the ground by the RE sign. I love the whole neighborhood except the for the highway sounds.
norman vw 21-Aug-2009 16:51
I have been to woodside many times and love to see mount elliott across the road. Price river walkway is a memorable hike into the canyon to the northeast. I was looking at plat maps yesterday to determine ownership but to no success. These posted comments lead one to believe the problem is lack of water, not lack of desire. thanks for looking.
Aaron 21-Aug-2009 13:09
To Michael Hardin,I have visited your grandma's grave on occasion and said a few prayers for her. I hope this week to visit the pyramid that she had built in Pennsylvania. Truly a praiseworthy woman.
Michael Hardin 15-Aug-2009 20:15
Came acoss your website while looking for additional info on Woodside. My GGrandfather helped settle the the town of Woodside in 1881. The "First Lady" buried at the Woodside cemetery was my GGGrandmother. Woodside is a very special place to me as I spent many summer vacations with my Grandmother Emma Johnson in Woodside. The Woodside cemetery is our family cemerety and I am so pleased that Roy and the Eagle Scouts help build the fence to protect this piece of history. I must add the Roy was always very welcoming to us when we visited Woodside and the cemetery. My family names are Miller, Curtis, and Johnson.

Michael Hardin

Michael Hardin 15-Aug-2009 20:11
Came acoss your website while looking for additional info on Woodside. My GGrandfather helped settle the the town of Woodside in 1881. The "First Lady" buried at the Woodside cemetery was my GGGrandmother. Woodside is a very special place to me as I spent many summer vacations with my Grandmother Emma Johnson in Woodside. The Woodside cemetery is our family cemerety and I am so pleased that Roy and the Eagle Scouts help build the fence to protect this piece of history. I must add the Roy was always very welcoming to us when we visited Woodside and the cemetery. My family names are Miller, Curtis, and Johnson.

Michael Hardin
Robert and the Pilot 12-May-2009 19:21
Yes, you are most definitely being watched in woodside. Can't be any other way.Don't challenge your observer. He is a free man and does as he pleases.
concerned 21-Feb-2009 03:16
I went there to ride motorcycles and had all my stuff stolen. I have read other accounts of stuff getting taken. My advice is to watch your vehicle and know that somebody still lives there and is watching you.
Big Chief 12-Feb-2008 02:29
It is with great joy that we on Prince Edward Island celebrate that roy is still kicking. One of the many he helped ,now residing in New Orleans mentioned that the french word roi means "king" Can you imagine the country of the USA if Mr. pogue were president instead of these government types. We are sure he is too busy helping others somewhere to consider a candidacy.
Utah JM30-Jan-2008 17:05
I can assure you Roy is most certainly still kicking ;-). I cannot give his e-mail publically, but he reads comments here occasionally and I'll let him know about these. Thanks very much!
Big Chief Edward 10-Jan-2008 18:23
Let me tell you one small mystery of woodside that betrays no secrets but shows a tiny part of the significance of woodside and why I venerate the place. This is but less than 1% Of the importance of tihs place. If you walk up through the new sand pit to the cemetary you can visit the grave of the only first lady of the U.S. who was not marriedto the president. Long story short. President Buchanan was unmarried. BY law, unmarried Presidents may "name" a first lady. He named his niece who accepted. She did an exemplary job and was particularly known for presiding regally at state dinners.Roy had plenty reasons to hate the goverment but was pleased that a special First Lady chose to be buried almost in sight of the now existing station
Big Chief Edward 10-Jan-2008 17:55
Big Chief Edward...Woodside is far from God forsaken. Roy pogue always acted as if he were touched by God. Never before or since saw a man who treated everyone the same, whether they treated him with respect or outright contempt. He simply didn't care. Only exception was when the shooting started. Some one posted in 2007 that there is a struggling gas station. Although I live 5000 miles away I try to visit the station as often as I can. For the last 5 annual visits, the station seemed sort of closed up. Once I blew my horn for awhile and Roy kind of appeared out of nowhere. He was still grieving the loss of his 16 foot 2 inch Python. He told me he wanted to convert the station to a bookstore selling books about Woodside exclusively. He gave me two complimentary copies which have become favorites. One is about an anastazi witch woman and another about the canyonland cowboys. That was the last time I saw him although I enjoy visiting Woodside often. Is roy Pogue still alive in this world? Does any one out in cyberspace know his whereabouts? what will become of the station, that dedicated center of light and life?
Dallas Noyes 01-Aug-2007 04:38
Woodside at the turn of the century (1900) was a very happening place. Among other things it featured a railroad repair depot and a Zinc mine. There were stores and a saloon. Several Hundred people called Woodside home. The Cemetery on the hill has some interesting grave stones. Remnants of the town. To the west and south of the gas station you will find many foundations and traces of this once thriving town. Now there are just Ghosts and one struggling service station.
Friend in Utah 30-Jun-2006 05:22
My Two Cents,
I know that when a gas skip drove off without paying and Roy called Emery County Sheriffs office. They chased the man down spiked the tires on the stolen car he was driving put him in jail. When Mr. Pogue called to recover his money for the stolen gas Emery County Sheriffs office refused to give him his name. When two men drove through Roys closed locked gate he called the Sheriffs office they came out and did nothing Roy only requested they pay for the damages they had done. The first year the Service Station was opened Mr Pogue sold Beer. Roy refused to sell Beer to a young man without ID so the young man tore out of the driveway throwing rocks, cracking a 4' X 8' window Mr. Pogue called the Sheriffs office with the license no. they never even came out for a report. By the way even though Beer sales are a big thing for convenience stores because of all the Wrecks Roy went to on Hwy 6 involving drunk drivers he never sold beer anymore for the remaining 7 years he was open for business.
When Mr. Pogue opened his business in 1994 the State of Utah would not allow him to use his well water for the public? This proved to be a real problem considering there was nothing else for almost 70 miles ( 40 to Price, 30 to Green River). With all the overheated cars and people needing restrooms. When he complained the state told him he did not have to provide these according to law.
Mr. Pogue still went ahead and paid $60.00 a week for portable toilets for over a year. The State did finally allow use of the well water for toilets and faucets for overheated cars providing they all had signs that stated non potable use. They would not allow sinks to wash your hands though? Roy did make a stupid remark to one of the officials. He said if anyone was going to drink out of the toilets he did not think the signs would make any difference.
Because of these reasons I personally know of and several others I also believe there was some description and things like this would have stopped most people from continuing to try to help the public.
I would have left
Melvin Pole 25-Jun-2006 20:42
Sean,
The BLM made him get rid of his cattle and even impounded some. They lease it to grazers with no compensation to him. When he refused to deal with them they threatened to make the river which he owns 5.5 miles of a part of their wild and senic rivers. Which would make his land for 1/2 mile on each side usless except for their ideas and uses. He would still be responsiable for the tax? But could do nothing with it? They have made the land around his Wilderness already. The Cemetary does belong to the BLM several years ago after someone drove through it and over one of the small grave stones breaking it. Mr Pogue said he would fix it and fence it at his expence to keep it from any further desecration. The BLM said it was their property and for him to leave it alone. After a year and a half and Emery county, the Daughters of Utah pioneers,Utah historical society and several Indivuals were involved because Mr. Pogue informed them. The BLM allowed it to be fenced with the stipulation that it had to be done with contributions by a charitable organization. So Emery county provided the wire,others provided the posts,Mr Pogue provided the tractor and post hole digger,The Boy Scouts provided the labor under supervision and it was finally fenced? By the way the ground the Cemetary is on was once privatly owned and was given to the BLM because they thought it would be taken care of.
Anyway to sum it up if you are denied the use of your own land but the BLM can lease it for their cattle graze for several thousand a month and tell you there is nothing you can do about it. I believe that is trying to run you off!!!!
Melvin Pole 04-Jun-2006 01:21
There is a graveyard from days gone by lots of history that the State and U.S. Goverment wants to be forgotten. They want it to become some more WILDERNESS in their arsenal. They have done everything in their power to drive the Man and his family away. So bad they are afraid of people that can make it on their own. They want all Americans to be dependent on
them so they can feel control. God Bless this poor man.
Howard Christmas 14-Feb-2006 17:45
Roy Pogue owns the gas station. He can answer any question that you have if you can find him and he feels like it.
Ted Hardigan 14-Feb-2006 17:41
Woodside, utah is the center of the spiritual universe as far as planet earth is concerned.
Dave Beedon 05-Dec-2004 11:00
Woodside, Utah: just a dot on the map, but important nonetheless. So many places like this we simply pass by without thinking about them. But they all have a history and are meaningful for someone. In 2002, during a cross-country drive, I drove past it without even noticing. This summer, on my way to Moab, I barely noticed it because I was watching the beautiful terrain of Book Cliffs. On the way back from Moab I finally did notice it and thought it was a lonely place, "God-forsaken." Thanks for documenting it.
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