William Ajax Underground Store

Out here, where the nearest supplies were a hard day off, William Ajax built a store into the ground. Beginning around 1870, it grew into an underground emporium in the empty middle of Rush Valley — a full general store dug beneath the desert, with lodging and hot meals for whoever passed. It outfitted the mining camps at Stockton, Ophir, and Mercur and boarded travelers crossing the west desert. Then the railroad came through and made the long detour pointless. The family closed it in 1914; fire took the building later. Only low mounds of earth mark it now.

What the plaque says

Sons of Utah Pioneers William Ajax Underground Store William and Emma J. Hughes Ajax The unique two-story underground building was established in 1870. Shortly thereafter a post office called "Centre" was added. The building was 80 × 100 feet, in some places the lower floor was 20 feet below ground.The excavation was done by William Ajax using a shovel and wheelbarrow. The building's support timbers were cut from juniper and pine trees. These trees were located in the mountains west of here where he walked to and from each day to cut the timbers. The roof was constructed of poles covered with juniper boughs, sod and clay. The store was illuminated by sunlight coming through south-facing windows in the roof. Shoppers were offered a wide variety of merchandise, food, clothing, housewares, hardware, tools and medicines. Goods were arranged in department store style. It was estimated the value of the merchandise was in excess of $70,000. Patrons came from the mining camps, sheep and cattle ranches and the communities of Rush and Vernon Valley. Meals and lodging for travelers were provided. Their livestock was also cared for in sheds and corrals located west of the present highway. Wild grass-hay was cut in nearby meadows. It was sold to miners in Stockton, Ophir and Mercur. The coming of the railroad through Rush Valley made supplies and travel more accessible, thus ending much of the need for a store in the area. William Ajax died in 1899; his family operated the store until 1914 when they liquidated the merchandise. The building was abandoned, and later it was burned, (perhaps by railroad transients camping at the building). All that remains are the mounds of dirt just east of the monument. This illustration depicts the living quarters where meals and lodging were provided. A portion of the underground store was under this building. Site No. 10 Settlement Canyon Chapter, Sons of Utah Pioneers and Descendants of William and Emma J. Hughes Ajax Dedicated 1986

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Bingham Canyon Mine — 23 mi
  The largest man-made excavation on Earth

More markers nearby

• Rock Monument (Ophir Mail Drop) — 8.9 mi
• Steptoe's Millitary Camp — 12 mi
• Aunt Libby's Dog Cemetary (sic) — 13 mi
• Stockton (3) Markers — 14 mi