In early October, we accompanied KSL television's John Hollenhorst, a cameraman, and two gentlemen from Millard County, on a fun-filled outing to learn about the legend of the Drum Mountains, a seldom-visited range northwest of Delta. Legend has it that the name of the range comes from a low, rumbling sound, like drums, that comes from deep within the ground around the ghost town of Joy.

Pictured above right: Gale Bennett, Hinckley, Utah, being interviewed at the grave of an unknown person. Hollenhorst, center, was asking about the person buried here. Locals believe that a group of sheepherders came to Joy at Christmas time to warm up in a house (that is no longer standing). One of the younger herdsmen had inbibed a little more alcohol than he could handle, and was put out on the front porch to "sober up". Well, he was apparently forgotten, and ended up succumbing to the elements and was buried here. Bennett also expressed his personal recollections of hearing the "drums" many years ago when he was a young lad.

Left to right: Lynn Fergus, Gale Bennett, John Hollenhorst (KSL), and some German guy.

Above: it was the first wintery weather of the season, making for some interesting desert scenery.

In town, the crew also interviewed 91 year-ol Sherm Tolbert, who added some insights on the legend.

Above: Lynn Fergus, Fillmore, Utah, being asked for his personal insights on the legend of the Drums.

Joy, once a mining camp, failed and was abandoned around 1940. There was apparently not a lack of manganese in the surrounding hills, but a lack of water, and a great distance to transport ore and equipment, harming profitability. Our Visit to Joy was our second, this time giving us additional insight and appreciation for the place. We thank Mr. Hollenhorst and KSL TV for inviting us along. Below are photos amd comments from an earlier visit:

EXCERPT FROM SOME DREAMS DIE, George A Thompson; Dream Garden Press, Salt Lake City ©1982 and 1999
"There is nothing joyful about Joy! Located in a wild, windswept canyon at the south end of the desolate Thomas Range at the edge of the bleak Sevier Desert, it would have taken someone with a warped sense of humor to name such a woeful and desolate place Joy. The explanation lies in the fact that it was named for Harry Joy, one of her promoters. The God-forsaken desert town was the only place between the Overland Trail and the railroad, far to the south, where travelers could find water. At that there was hardly more than a trickle of mineral-laden moisture. Prospectors who camped at the seeps first discovered large outcroppings of manganese which was of little value then, but later uncovered promising ledges of gold and silver ore. Several mines were developed; the Major Drum, Howard, Desert and Ibex properties among the most promising.

Prospectors from Joy fanned out into the surrounding desert ranges. Some of those who drifted into North Canyon in the desolate House Range southwest of Joy were amazed to find the ruins of ancient sluice boxes made from hollowed out logs. There are no trees larger than scrub brush within a hundred miles of the House Range, so where did the logs come from? And even if there had been timber, there is no water to operate a sluice--not a drop. No one knows who built those ancient sluice boxes, but we do know why, for there is gold in the House Range."

There were gaping holes everywhere you looked in this area. Some of the mines went almost straight down. We rolled a big rock down one of the steep ones and could still hear it going after a minute had gone by. I would advise not venturing too far into any of these mines. Many had rotting timbers and were partially or fully caved in.

The only standing structures in Joy were mining equipment. We were only there for a few hours so we didn't get a lot of exploring in. We could see many other mines way up on the mountains that would be worth another trip to explore.

There were two wooden benches and a nice fire pit in the middle. It appeared that the place had been adopted as a teenage party hangout for kids from Delta--considering the abundance of beer bottles.

The whole area offered spectacular views of several mountain ranges. You could see the House, Confusion, and Deep Creeks to the West, and the Simpson and Sheeprock mountains to the North.

Return to Main Page

© desertislands.org | All Rights Reserved.