From Scenic Trails to Salvaged Steel: Our Utah Adventure

August 09, 2026

  I was contacted by Dave, a gentleman in Utah. He told me a few years ago, he was granted a short amount of time to salvage what he could out of Geneva Steel, an old steel mill. After talking to him and hearing his story, we loaded up and headed out west.   

  Geneva steel was constructed in 1944 to boost steel production for war ships during World War II. It was built far inland for protection against any bombings from Japan and also because of the natural resources in the area.  After 40+ years in business and due to increased labor costs competition and company policies, the plant closed. It opened and closed again under a different company, but in 2002 filed for bankruptcy and in 2007 it was scheduled for Demolition.  

  Dave was able to gain access to the plant before Demolition and had a few weeks to salvage as much material as he could. He had owned several chain restaurants, and sold them with the idea of building a Harley Davidson resort from the salvaged materials of the Geneva Steel Mill.  Salvaging as much as he could as fast as he could from riveted scissor beams to light fixtures, the old steel siding to the water tower. He created an unbelievable building using that salvaged material.  

    We stopped and took a few pictures of the building. As I looked around, I was amazed at his vision and incorporation of the salvaged items, and having an entire building, framed and engineered with salvaged materials. There’s so much more to the story and it’s legal battles  if you’d like to read articles that explain it more eloquently than I can, just google Geneva, steel Utah and Timpanogo Harley Davidson.    

  After the Timpanogos project, Dave moved to a remote area Mexico for 6 years and studied the local cuisine and how to prepare the local dishes. He then move back to Utah and opened Milagros Restaurant.         

   When I talked to Dave, he told me he had numerous lights remaining from the old mill. We brought back about 60 old Holophane lights and several outdoor Holophane pole lights that were used in the railyard.  After we were all loaded up, he treated us to an amazing Mexican dinner. Thanks Dave! 

  While in Utah, we couldn’t pass up a chance to take a little detour and see some sights. Along the way we stopped at Great Sand Dunes National Park then headed down to the Upper Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona. From there, we went to Zion National Park and then headed north to Bryce Canyon.   

 From the places we go, to the people we meet and the history of items we salvage and bring home. this is why I love what I do ❤️

 

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