NPS/Patrick Myers West of the dunefield, seasonally fluctuating wetlands leave behind white alkali deposits called Trona, similar to baking soda. In the late 19th century, a tiny community sprang up beside one of the thickest deposits of trona. Residents collected and packaged the soda, then carried it by wagon to Mosca, where it was loaded onto trains. From there it reached various cities where it was sold as washing soda. It is unknown why the production stopped, but today there are a few broken shovels still left laying in the alkali, and planks of small collapsed buildings. It appears that the community was abandoned as quickly as it began. 
NPS/Patrick Myers Little is known about Soda City. Were these bricks part of a house, or a soda processing building? 
NPS/Patrick Myers At least two shovels are still laying in the alkali deposits, possibly indicating residents left suddenly without taking their equipment. Future archeological research may reveal more about this mysterious little community. 
NPS/Patrick Myers A girl walks across the alkali deposit at Soda City, which still had trona left to mine when it was abandoned. |
Last updated: February 8, 2024