Echo, Utah Explained

Echo
Settlement Type:CDP
Mapsize:260px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Utah
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Summit
Established Title:Settled
Established Date:1854
Founder:James Bromley
Named For:Echo Canyon
Population As Of:2010
Population Total:56
Timezone:Mountain (MST)
Utc Offset:-7
Timezone Dst:MDT
Utc Offset Dst:-6
Elevation Footnotes:[1]
Elevation Ft:5777
Coordinates:40.977°N -111.4431°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:84024
Area Code:435
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:2584763

Echo is a census-designated place located in northwestern Summit County, Utah, United States. The population was 56 at the 2010 census.

Echo was founded in 1854.[2] The community took its name from nearby Echo Canyon.[3]

History

Echo originated as a stopover along the Mormon Trail. Later the town served as a junction between the First transcontinental railroad and a spur line to serve silver mines near Park City. Since the creation of U.S. Highways Echo has served as a highway junction, where the main road coming from Wyoming splits with one branch proceeding towards Salt Lake City, continuing towards San Francisco, California, and the other towards Ogden, continuing to Portland, Oregon. Originally the main highway was numbered U.S. Route 30S and the branch was U.S. Route 530; the modern freeway equivalents are numbered Interstate 80 and Interstate 84.

Echo was significant to the Union Pacific Railroad. The town served as a coaling and watering station for trains entering Echo Canyon. From Echo, helper locomotives were added, when needed, to push trains up the steep grade to Wahsatch. A large coaling tower and many other railroad infrastructures existed in and around the town. Echo saw the most action during World War II.

The introduction of diesel power, especially after the war, negated the need for the services previously required by steam. The coaling tower, most trackage, and structures were removed.

Echo had faded by the sixties, yet was still alive by the junction of two major highways. However, the arrival of the interstate relegated the town to a few quaint buildings; some homes, a motel, tavern, restaurant and bus station. Nearby, Echo Canyon is a magnificent spectacle with its high rock sides and colorful scenery. The canyon begins just east of Echo and ends outside of Wahsatch, Utah.

Demographics

As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 56 people living in the CDP. There were 31 housing units. The ethnic makeup of the town was 96.4% White and 3.6% American Native and Alaska Native. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.6% of the population.

Education

It is in the North Summit School District.[5]

Climate

Echo has a continental climate (Köppen Dfb) characterized by cold, snowy winters and hot summers with high diurnal temperature variation.

In popular culture

The psychological horror visual novels Echo, The Smoke Room, and Arches are loosely based on Echo and the surrounding area.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. . Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  2. Web site: Echo Canyon Settlement . Summit County Utah . 19 May 2019.
  3. Book: The Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, Volumes 9-10. 1918. 122.
  4. Web site: U.S. Census website . . May 18, 2011.
  5. Web site: 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Summit County, UT. U.S. Census Bureau. 2022-11-02.
  6. Web site: Echo. Echo Project. 2023-05-24.