| When iron deposits were
found in southern Utah, Brigham Young called for volunteers
to colonize the Iron Mission Area. A site near Coal Creek
(Cedar City) was selected in November 1851 for the Iron
Works. Originally called Little Muddy, then Coal Creek,
Cedar City was named for the cedar trees in the area.
(These trees are actually juniper trees.) Ten months
after site selection, the new colony completed a small
blast furnace and began to operate the iron
foundry. It was the first iron to be manufactured west
of Missouri. Unfortunately because of problems with the
furnace, flood and hostility between settlers and Indians,
the foundry closed in 1858. Unlike many small mining
towns of that era, Cedar City continued to grow and
prosper. Residents turned to farming for economic
well being. (Mining continued to play a part in the
economy through WWII to the 1980's.)
In 1866 Robert LeRoy Parker (later known as
Butch Cassidy) was born in a neighboring community.
He often came back to Southern Utah to hide out or
ranch throughout his years as a rustler and
gunfighter. Robbers Roost, a gang hang out in
Southwest Utah was a popular hideout because of
its rough terrain. Although theories of Butch
Cassidy's death vary, it is rumored that Butch
Cassidy is buried in an unmarked grave in Parowan,
Utah.
In 1897 the people in Cedar City learned that the
Utah Legislature had authorized a school for
higher learning in Southern Utah. The community
labored to construct the Ward Hall. However, after
being in session only two months the Attorney
General stated that the school had to have its own
building on land deeded to the state, and if a
building was not erected by the following
September, the school would be lost. At that point
winter had set in and Cedar City's building
materials were nonexistent, but Cedar City
residents argued Nobody was going to take their
school away from them.
For four days men of the town waded through snow
that was often as deep as their shoulders, pushing
their way up the mountain to the lumber mills.
They slept in holes scraped out of the snow. After
reaching the sawmill the men found that they had
to turn back. The wagons that could not make it
were abandoned. Tired to the bone, the party felt
they couldn't go any further. It was at this
phase of their march that an old sorrel horse
proved valuable. Placed out at the front of the
party, the horse would walk steadily into the
drifts, pushing against the snow, throwing himself
into the drifts again and again until they gave
way. Then he would pause for a rest, sitting on
his haunches the way a dog would. Then onward he
would push. "Old Sorrel" was credited with
being the savior of the expedition. In 1898 the
building was complete, and Cedar City had its
school. |
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The Union Pacific
Railroad Company reached Cedar City in 1923. This
development contributed greatly to Cedar City's
growth in mining, providing an outlet for the
products of the iron mines. The railroad also
contributed greatly to the growth of agriculture
and tourism. The railroad exposed Utah's
National Parks to the world of tourism and Cedar
City was dubbed "the gateway to the parks."
The railroad still comes through Cedar City and
transports products in and out of the community.
However, the Depot was closed in 1959.
Of many of the old buildings still standing
around town probably the most familiar is Rock
Church. Built in 1930 from local materials and
volunteered help it has always seemed a part of
the community. Today it stands as a monument to
past generations, as well as a place to worship
to today's generation. The Old Hospital built
in 1922 with total public support was another
such building that represents the community
feeling of Cedar City. All of the land and
equipment for this building were donated. When
the new hospital was built in 1964 the Old
Hospital was donated to the College for dorms
and classrooms. Later it was acquired and
renovated by the Dixie Levitt Group.
In 1913 the college became a branch of Utah State
Agricultural College of Logan. In 1968 legislature
transformed it into a 4-year college of liberal arts
and sciences with elementary and secondary teacher
education programs. On January 1, 1991 it attained
University status. Presently it is the home of the
Utah Shakespearean Festival and The Utah Summer
Games. Both of these events, in addition to the
surrounding National Parks, brings more tourists
to this thriving community every year.
Text by Heidi J. Bertolino
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