Cedar City in Iron County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Richard Harrison

1808-1882

— Iron Works Superintendent —

Richard Harrison Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2016

1. Richard Harrison Marker

Inscription.

Richard Harrison. Born in Springshire, England, and an iron-molder by trade, Richard Harrison served as superintendent of the world’s largest iron foundry, located in Liverpool. He immigrated to Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1843 then on to Utah in 1849. He arrived in Cedar City in 1851 among the community’s very first settlers. Here he helped establish the Iron Mission and organize a company for the making of iron. He was superintendent of the company, helped design and build the original iron furnace, and on Sept. 30, 1852, presided over the manufacture of the first iron from iron ore in Utah. He represented Iron County in the Territorial Legislature (1854-1855) and in 1860 moved to Pinto, serving for many years as a superintendent at the Union/Pinto Iron Works at Old Irontown (Iron City). Stalwart worker and planner, Richard Harrison demonstrated all of the qualities of a dedicated leader. , The Trial Run , For nearly a year the settlers of Cedar City labored to establish a new iron foundry on the banks of Coal Creek and by Sep. 29, 1852, the community was ready for a trial run of the new furnace. The entire town – men, women, and children – crowded around the foundry to witness the torch being applied and the blast turned on. Then they waited throughout the night to see the results, the children sleeping on quilts spread on the ground. The adults wandered about, looking forward to the arrival of daybreak when the process was scheduled to end. As the sun came up over the mountain ridges on Sept. 30, 1852, Richard Harrison proclaimed that the time had arrived and ordered an ironworker to take a pole and tap the furnace. As he did, a small stream of molten iron came belching out. The crowd began to dance and cheer, shouting “Hosanna,” as the first iron poured from the furnace. Before nightfall, Harrison and three others were on their way to Salt Lake City to carry the good news and a bar of pig iron to Brigham Young. , Statue by Kreg Harrison . This historical marker was erected in 2009. It is in Cedar City in Iron County Utah

Born in Springshire, England, and an iron-molder by trade, Richard Harrison served as superintendent of the world’s largest iron foundry, located in Liverpool. He immigrated to Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1843 then on to Utah in 1849. He arrived in Cedar City in 1851 among the community’s very first settlers. Here he helped establish the Iron Mission and organize a company for the making of iron. He was superintendent of the company, helped design and build the original iron furnace, and on Sept. 30, 1852, presided over the manufacture of the first iron from iron ore in Utah. He represented Iron County in the Territorial Legislature (1854-1855) and in 1860 moved to Pinto, serving for many years as a superintendent at the Union/Pinto Iron Works at Old Irontown (Iron City). Stalwart worker and planner, Richard Harrison demonstrated all of the qualities of a dedicated leader.

The Trial Run
For nearly a year the settlers of Cedar City labored to establish a new iron foundry on the banks of Coal Creek and by Sep. 29, 1852, the community was ready for a trial run of the new furnace. The entire town – men, women, and children –

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

crowded around the foundry to witness the torch being applied and the blast turned on. Then they waited throughout the night to see the results, the children sleeping on quilts spread on the ground. The adults wandered about, looking forward to the arrival of daybreak when the process was scheduled to end. As the sun came up over the mountain ridges on Sept. 30, 1852, Richard Harrison proclaimed that the time had arrived and ordered an ironworker to take a pole and tap the furnace. As he did, a small stream of molten iron came belching out. The crowd began to dance and cheer, shouting “Hosanna,” as the first iron poured from the furnace. Before nightfall, Harrison and three others were on their way to Salt Lake City to carry the good news and a bar of pig iron to Brigham Young.

Statue by Kreg Harrison

Erected 2009.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1852.

Location. 37° 40.707′ N, 113° 3.719′ W. Marker is in Cedar City, Utah, in Iron County. Marker is on North Main Street (Utah Route 130) south of West 65 North Street (West Harding Avenue), on the right when traveling south. Marker and life-size sculpture are located along the sidewalk, directly in front

Richard Harrison Marker & Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2016

2. Richard Harrison Marker & Statue

of the old Bank of Southern Utah building at this address. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 57 North Main Street, Cedar City UT 84720, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pioneer Stockman (within shouting distance of this marker); Cedar City Founder (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cedar City Tabernacle (about 500 feet away); The Social Hall (about 600 feet away); Ward Hall (about 600 feet away); Heroine of China (approx. 0.2 miles away); Escalante Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cedar City Railroad Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedar City.

More about this marker. Marker is a laser-printed metal plaque, mounted horizontally, at waist-level, on a metal post.

Also see . . . Richard Harrison. Richard Harrison's main occupation in Cedar City was as one of the ironworkers. In May 1852, he was appointed superintendent of the initial ironworks and began plans for constructing the iron operation. With the help of others, Harrison began construction of a blast furnace, foundry, pattern shop, coke and charcoal ovens, waterwheel and other structures. When the ironworks was reorganized, Harrison became superintendent of the molding department. His specialty as molder was reheating iron and forging it into useful implements. He was a shareholder in the enterprise and in 1853, he became a member of the newly-formed iron council. (Submitted on March 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Richard Harrison Marker & Statue (<i>wide view; marker on sidewalk just left of bank entrance</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2016

3. Richard Harrison Marker & Statue (wide view; marker on sidewalk just left of bank entrance)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 294 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.