In the far southwestern corner of Utah, where the desert flattens and the railroad once ruled, lies a quiet town with a loud past—Modena. It was built on the promise of progress, a bustling depot where trains stopped, sheep sheared by the thousands, and families that kept trying.

In this episode of What Once Was, we step into the dust and echoes of Modena’s heyday. Hear the clang of hammers on steel as tracks are laid. Bleats of sheep during shearing season. And witness how fire and the slow retreat of the railroad turned a thriving frontier town into a mostly forgotten speck on the map.

This is the story of the town at the end of the line—and the people who refused to be left behind.

🎧 Support and follow: → Become a patron: https://patreon.com/whatoncewas → Follow on Instagram: @whatoncewas.podcast

The stories I share are based on old records, newspapers, local legends, and oral histories. While I do my best to tell them truthfully, some details may be lost to time.

Please remember—many of the places we mention are on private land. Don’t trespass or go exploring without permission. Let’s keep history alive without disturbing what’s left of it.

Intro music is "A Calm Hellfire" by the Wayward Hearts

Harmonica music by Samuel Copier from Pixabay

Piano music by Francesco Bondi from Pixabay

Straddling the dusty edge of Utah and Nevada once stood a town built on gold, silver, and second chances—Stateline. For a moment at the turn of the 19th century, it boomed with promise: saloons rang with laughter, miners dreamed of fortune, and the frontier pulsed with life. But like so many Wild West towns, its glory was short-lived.

In this episode of What Once Was, we journey into Stateline’s heyday and explore its downfall downfall. You’ll hear tales of shootouts, lawmen and the everyday people that called this town home. Through immersive sound design and historically grounded storytelling, we bring this ghost town back to life—if only for a moment.

Because sometimes, the loudest echoes come from places long abandoned.

🎧 Support and follow: → Become a patron: https://patreon.com/whatoncewas → Follow on Instagram: @whatoncewas.podcast

The stories I share are based on old records, newspapers, local legends, and oral histories. While I do my best to tell them truthfully, some details may be lost to time.

Please remember—many of the places we mention are on private land. Don’t trespass or go exploring without permission. Let’s keep history alive without disturbing what’s left of it.

Intro music is "A Calm Hellfire" by the Wayward Hearts

Beneath the blistering sun of Southern Utah lies a forgotten stagecoach station where fact and folklore blur—Desert Springs. Once an infamous outpost, now nothing remains, but whispers on the wind.

In this episode of What Once Was, we explore the chilling legends passed down through generations—stories of murders, outlaw gangs, and the mysterious lives of those who lived here.

Through immersive soundscapes and historical storytelling, we peel back the layers of time to uncover what truth may still linger in the dust. This is history that will make you say WOW.

🎧 Support and follow: → Become a patron: https://patreon.com/whatoncewas → Follow on Instagram: @whatoncewas.podcast

The stories I share are based on old records, newspapers, local legends, and oral histories. While I do my best to tell them truthfully, some details may be lost to time.

Please remember—many of the places we mention are on private land. Don’t trespass or go exploring without permission. Let’s keep history alive without disturbing what’s left of it.

Intro music is "A Calm Hellfire" by the Wayward Hearts

Discover the forgotten history of Southern Utah — from ghost towns and outlaw shootouts to murders and pioneer grit. What Once Was brings the past to life with immersive sound and vivid storytelling. New episodes launch July 24. Subscribe now and join the journey.