Historical Marker day; learning about the past from reminders on the present landscape

Kanab church and historical markers, date not specified | Photo by Reuben Wadsworth, St. George News

FEATURE – Nearly everyone can relate to driving along and seeing an unexpected historical marker on the side of the road. Often, the history buff in the car cannot resist the allure of stopping to find out what significant happened at the location a long time ago. And more often than not, there is at least one person in the car, or more likely a few, that do not want to stop one more time to satisfy the history lover’s curiosity.

Katherine Ross, museum curator at Frontier Homestead State Park, tells a story from her own experience that mirrors this scenario.

When I was about 12 my family was on a trip in Wyoming and my dad said we were not in a hurry and we could stop at all the markers along the road,” she said. “After about the fifth stop he informed me that we were in a hurry and we would not be stopping at any more.”

Historical markers are ubiquitous across the southwest corner of Utah. A multiplicity of organizations has erected them, from city historic preservation boards to private families. The two most prominent organizations behind these markers are the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and the Sons of Utah Pioneers, organizations whose mission it is to preserve the memory of pioneer history. 

Not only do historical markers give context to what happened during a specific time period at a specific location, but they tell the general public what they’ve lost by recounting the stories of structures no longer found on the landscape or customs and practices that are outdated or no longer the norm. They bring awareness to events and locales deemed important by the organizations who erected them.

“We tend to live in the present and not think about the past,” said George Cannon of the Washington County Historical Society. “Markers at places of importance help to remind us of where we came from and how we got here.  There are many lessons to be learned from our history that help us appreciate what we now have and hopefully not repeat mistakes of the past.”

The following are responses, in their own words, from the Southwestern Utah historical community on the importance of historical markers. Each person also shared a few of their favorite historical markers in the area. Responses have been edited by the author for clarity and content.

The Santa Clara Swiss Colony historical marker recounts the story of the first settlers of Santa Clara, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Lyman Hafen, St. George News

Lyman Hafen, Executive Director, Zion National Park Forever Project, shared his thoughts on one of his favorite historical markers:

One of my favorite historical markers is in the heart of Santa Clara. It’s the Swiss Colony marker erected by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1939, in front of what was then the church and school site in Santa Clara. It is now the site of the Santa Clara Ward Chapel, and is next door to the historic Relief Society Hall and Santa Clara’s wonderful Heritage Square.

Monuments like these are important to me because they are the literal embodiment of what I’ve been trying to do as a writer for the last 40 years.  They connect landscape and story. That monument sits on sacred ground to me, the place where my Swiss ancestors stopped their wagons and started a new life in a dry and desolate place a world away from the Eden-like Switzerland they left behind. Within ten years they had turned the place into a beautiful green patch in the middle of a desert. And the result of their courage and sacrifice is still evident all along the winding road through town as you pass beneath the towering sycamores.

Teresa Orton, Director, McQuarrie Memorial (DUP) Museum

Why are historical markers important, especially in our day and age?

I think the historical markers and monuments that are put up mean that we will not forget the importance of the event or the people involved with the event.  If there isn’t a physical reminder of important historical events, people forget about them.  That diminishes the importance of the event.  Bringing history alive by retelling the stories makes the current generations understand about the struggles of people who have gone before. Imagining a life different than ours and how we would not have what we do today without them, even if we disagree with what happened.

What is your favorite, or what do you think is one of the most meaningful historical markers in Southwest Utah and why? 

It is hard for me to pick the marker that I like the best.  I feel close to Grafton because of my family ancestors but the markers next to the Pioneer Courthouse in St. George symbolize the struggle to make a thriving community in St. George and what it took to overcome tremendous obstacles.

The recently erected Fluffy Bundle historical marker recounts the spot where Fred Adams and his wife thought of the idea for what would become the Utah Shakespeare Festival, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ryan Paul, St. George News

Ryan Paul, Associate Professor of History, Southern Utah University

Why are historical markers important, especially in our day and age?

Historical markers are important because they are more than a mere snapshot in time. Markers often say more about the people that create them then the subject in which they describe. I often ask myself: “Why did a group value this site/person/event enough to commemorate it in this way?” Markers also allow us to ground ourselves in place, to understand that geography matters. 

What is your favorite, or what do you think is one of the most meaningful historical markers in Southwest Utah and why? 

My favorite recent marker designates the spot of the Fluffy Bundle laundromat. This place was the laboratory, the Garden of Eden, if you will for the genesis of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. 

Lorraine Rice, President, Atkinville Camp, Daughters of Utah Pioneers

Why are historical markers important, especially in our day and age?

It is our goal as Daughters of Utah Pioneers to preserve the history of landmarks, historical places and records of the Utah pioneers by commemorating their entrance into the valley of the Great Salt Lake on July 24, 1847, and such other events and days as are important in the early history of this community.  In reviewing the lives of the pioneers, the citizens of our great country can learn lessons of faith, courage, fortitude and patriotism.  By sharing pioneer stories to their children, they can learn to appreciate the sacrifice their pioneer ancestors made thus keeping the spirit of the love for their descendants alive and remembered.

The recently erected Atkinville historical monument in the St. George’s Atkinville Wash Park details the story of Atkinville, a “one-family town” that once stood where Sun River is now, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Lorraine Rice, St. George News

In thinking of the many great prophets in the Book of Mormon, particularly Helaman, when he advised his sons to always remember the traditions of their forefathers.  History has warned us to avoid the adverse events of the past and teaches us to learn the wisdom to avoid them and go forward into the future.

What is your favorite, or what do you think is one of the most meaningful historical markers in Southwest Utah and why? 

I am partial to the recent dedication of the Atkinville settlement marker (No. 591) located in Sun River’s Atkinville Wash Park.  I learned about the Atkin family and the sacrifice they made to come down to St. George to settle this arid desert area.  They had the fortitude to build a family village for their children and made a thriving community for all in this area of St. George to enjoy. Atkinville became a resort for fishing, picnicking, boating and swimming. 

The home was a favorite spot for Wilford Woodruff to come down from Salt Lake City to avoid the federal authorities seeking polygamists, and enjoy the Atkinville resort.  Wilford even conducted the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints affairs while in the Atkin home.

I feel it is important for the residents of Sun River to know the beginnings of their community and the sacrifice that was made on their behalf.

Katherine Ross, Museum Curator, Frontier Homestead State Park

The Wood Cabin, now located in Frontier Homestead State Park, was one of the first dwellings built by the settlers of Iron County, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Katherine Ross, St. George News

Why are historical markers important, especially in our day and age?

Historical markers hopefully make the reader curious about the past.  There is so much we can learn from history that will help us to be better citizens and to help us make better choices in our own future. The marker itself also helps travelers discover history that may not have been part of their trip plan. I would like to add that it is important to know who placed the marker so you know from what point of view it was written.

What is your favorite, or what do you think is one of the most meaningful historical markers in Southwest Utah and why? 

I am a little biased, but I like the historical marker in front of the Wood cabin at Frontier Homestead State Park. The small one room cabin was important to so many of the first settlers in Parowan and Cedar City; it was the birthplace of 24 babies. 

Julie Saemisch, Board Member, Zion National Park Forever Project

Why are historical markers important, especially in our day and age?

Historical markers are important for many reasons, but one stands out to me as making them essential; just like a dust storm can cover everything in its path, the march of time can so easily erase those parts of our past and culture that cannot be then reclaimed: buildings built over buildings, roads diverted to accommodate new priorities. Life marches on, and over, our past. Markers help us remember forever how we got here, who came before us and why we are here.

The Old Sorrel Statue commemorates the faith-promoting founding story of Southern Utah University, Aug. 8, 2019 | Photo by Reuben Wadsworth

What is your favorite, or what do you think is one of the most meaningful historical markers in Southwest Utah and why? 

My two favorite markers are so meaningful to me. First and foremost is Old Sorrel’s magnificent bronze sculpture on the SUU campus. The spirit of Old Sorrel captures the tenacity of the pioneers in reaching their goals for the betterment of all. Just as they absolutely had to have that wood to make their school, and make their way through a snowstorm and could not fail, so Old Sorrel led them through. After that chapter in his life, Sorrel fades from history, just like some characters in the Old Testament (I’m thinking of the story of Ruth). His role in history has been played, he’s gone, but the story of the early pioneers told through Old Sorrel has lessons for every age.

My second favorite marker is the honor paid to the Panguitch Quilt Walk. Again, a bronze sculpture that is beautiful and thought provoking. They knew that turning back to home would mean certain death for their entire community, yet they worried going forward probably meant death to them, the men knelt in prayer and God answered, in a most unexpected revelation. The town and the ancestors of these men honored them by placing benches around the Quilt Walk park in each team member’s name. A beautiful place for reflection.

Jonathan Shafer, Public Affairs Specialist, Zion National Park, shared his thoughts on one of its favorite historical markers in Zion National Park:

The National Park Service has the privilege of protecting an iconic part of Southwest Utah’s landscape for the benefit and enjoyment of people from across the United States and around the world. For more than a century, the staff of Zion National Park has been working with their neighbors inside and outside of the park to protect our shared heritage. In these efforts, we have all benefited from the expertise and support of conservation professionals who’ve traveled from across the United States to serve in Southwest Utah.  One of the earliest and most influential of those supporters was the National Park Service’s first director, Stephen Mather.

 In 1917, the same year he became director, Mather became an advocate for Zion. Working together with Utah Governor William Spry, local resident and first park caretaker Walter Ruesch, and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bishop David Hirschi of Rockville, among others, they succeeded in making Zion Utah’s first national park. Director Mather treasured his relationships in Utah communities and visited annually until 1929. On his visits, Mather got to see friends as well as progress on large projects like construction of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel (at the time the largest single investment made by the Federal government in any road).

After Director Mather’s death, his friend and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Heber J. Grant, spoke at the dedication of a historic plaque memorializing Mather’s contributions to Zion and the entire National Park System. Today, plaques like Zion’s are on display in dozens of parks across the United States. The one Grant dedicated is at the park’s human history museum where the National Park Service tells the stories of the Native American tribes who inhabited this region for thousands of years, the Mormon Pioneers who settled here starting in the 19th century, and the millions of visitors who have now benefited from the collaboration between local residents and National Park Service staff for more than 100 years, working with their neighbors inside and outside of the park to protect our shared heritage.

As for this author, my responses are as follows:

Why are historical markers important, especially in our day and age?

Reminders on our current landscape are vital to remembering what happened in the past. They provide needed insight and context to significant events that occurred at specific places. They provide the reader with a chance to reflect on and revere those who came before. Ideally, they will provide the spark to find out more in those who take the time to stop and read.

What is your favorite, or what do you think is one of the most meaningful historical markers in Southwest Utah and why? 

I revere the builders of the Hurricane Canal and the ditch riders who maintained it over the years. The story of the Hurricane Canal is the story of the birth of Hurricane – pick and shovel labor that lasted 11 years without any government help. The marker about the canal’s history that is particularly meaningful is the obelisk monument dedicated to the ditch riders now standing in the Eagle’s Lodge parking lot, located on the west side of Highway 9 (State Street) just south of the LaVerkin-Hurricane Bridge. My father was one of the last ditch riders and one of three still living. I also enjoy walking the canal and reading the plaques about its history along the way. I am so grateful those plaques are there to give context to a pioneer engineering marvel.

A scavenger hunt

Finding, photographing, reading and reflecting on these historical markers can become a scavenger hunt for interested history buffs. The Washington County Historical Society website includes a page listing many of the monuments within the county and is currently working on a list to compile and maintain a list of all historical markers in the county and is seeking volunteers to assist. 

Anyone who would like to help the project should contact George Cannon.

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About the series “Days”

“Days” is a series of stories about people and places, industry and history in and surrounding the region of southwestern Utah.

“I write stories to help residents of southwestern Utah enjoy the region’s history as much as its scenery,” St. George News contributor Reuben Wadsworth said.

To keep up on Wadsworth’s adventures, “like” his author Facebook page, follow his Instagram account or subscribe to his YouTube channel.

Wadsworth has also released a book compilation of many of the historical features written about Washington County as well as a second volume containing stories about other places in Southern Utah, Northern Arizona and Southern Nevada.

Read more: See all of the features in the “Days” series

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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