History, nature and art define the community of Helper
If Helper were a painting, the neon signs of its historic downtown district would light up its center, and the peaks of Book Cliffs would fill its background. Galleries house artists in the summer, Main Street shuts down for annual events, and the surrounding wildlife of Utah’s Castle Country offers abundant options for recreation. “It has gone through an interesting resurgence,” says Dave Dorman, owner of Helper Art Space and resident of eight years. “It was once a booming coal town and was pretty much abandoned. Artists started taking over the early 1900s buildings along Main Street, and everything has since been locally reclaimed. It’s what one would imagine a small town to be, with the corner store grocery, diner and the pharmacy right here.”
Main Street is the hub for local businesses
Vintage signs and brightly covered awnings jut out from the storefronts on Main Street. The walkable stretch, part of the Helper Historic District, features a combination of independently owned art galleries and shops, such as Outlaw Antiques and Beg, Borrow & Steele. Restaurants include Balance Rock Eatery & Pub, which serves American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On the north side, Helper Beer pairs slices of pizza with its house-made craft beer. Pick & Rail Market covers grocery runs in town, alongside R & A Market and Deli. A Family Dollar is close to home, but most residents shop in Price, 8 miles away, where there are big-box stores like Walmart Supercenter and Sutherlands.
From Price River swimming to hiking trails and museums
The Price River flows through the town's center and has several access points. “People swim and tube on the river all summer,” Dorman says. Helper River Walk winds along the banks, and the Kenilworth Railroad Grade rail trail curves through the cliffs for hiking, mountain biking and ATVs. “It’s incredible. You’ll walk for 20 minutes, and you’re surrounded by mountains and woods,” Dorman says. Helper City Park has a playground, baseball diamond and a public pool open during summer. History is abundant, from the Historic Conoco Station to the Helper Museum, which documents the area’s past. The Western Mining and Railroad Museum offers a more in-depth look at the region’s former industries.
Ranch-style homes fill the community, many with Book Cliff views
Helper’s housing market mainly features single-family properties. Most are ranch styles, which keep the horizon open for views of the cliffs. These homes sit back from quiet, hilly streets flanked by sidewalks, whose roads are wide enough for street parking. Rocks and boulders commonly adorn front yard landscaping, with chain-link fencing often defining the property lines. Homes typically list between $150,000 and $430,000.
Residents gather downtown for annual festivals and events
The community celebrates the work of local artists at events like Helper’s First Fridays and Helper Art, Music & Film Festival, which takes place in mid-August. “They shut down all the streets in town,” Dorman says. “Vendors are up and down the street, and the galleries are open." The Rio Theatre also screens locally produced films throughout the event. Helper Saturday Vibes swaps the cars on Main Street with a street festival every other Saturday from May through September.
Carbon High School offers career and technical education pathways
Carbon School District serves the area and has a B-minus rating on Niche. Sally Mauro School earns a B-minus, and Helper Middle School receives a C. Carbon High School has a C-plus and offers career and technical education pathways, such as architecture and construction. Students can earn college credits and industry certifications in partnership with Utah State University Eastern, located a few miles away.
Getting around on State Route 191 and Amtrak's California Zephyr
State Route 191 is the area’s main throughway, linking residents to surrounding cities like Price, home to Castleview Hospital and Utah State University Eastern. Salt Lake City is roughly 112 miles northwest, but residents can hop on Amtrak’s daily California Zephyr train from downtown's Helper Station for a three-hour, 20-minute ride into the capital city. Freight trains also periodically come through town and people living near the tracks may hear them as they pass by.
Written By
Matthew Simmons
