Rock Canyon in Provo in Utah County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Proctor Academy Helped Educate Provo’s Youth
One in a Series of Events from Provo's History
As more non-Mormon families moved to Utah, other Christian denominations established schools in Utah. In 1883, the Congregational Church established one of its missionary school in a small rented building in Provo. Not more than 15 students initially attend it but the number of students grew rapidly.
Substantial support from Joseph O. Proctor, a wealthy eastern benefactor, enabled the church to erect Proctor Academy, a substantial brick building which sat on the northwest corner of 100 West 100 South. The new structure contained an assembly hall, classrooms, and a library. It eventually included all grades from primary to advanced. Students came from all parts of the territory and from all classes of society. At its peak, Proctor Academy enrolled over 200 students a year.
Schools sponsored by the Congregational Church earned the reputation of being some of the best in Utah. All of their teachers earned normal school training in eastern schools. Parents paid no tuition for students in the primary grades, and advanced students paid only a dollar a term.
In 1890, Utah passed a law providing free public education for its students, but it was not until 1912 that the Provo Board of Education agreed that a free high school should be established. After Provo High School opened, the importance of Proctor Academy began to decline, and the school closed in 1917. The Provo Elks Club bought the building in 1923 and converted it into an Elks Lodge. Several decades later, it was razed to make room for commercial buildings.
Erected by Rotary International and Provo Parks & Recreation. (Marker Number 52.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.
Location. 40° 16.047′ N, 111° 38.244′ W. Marker is in Provo, Utah, in Utah County. It is in Rock Canyon. Marker can be reached from North 1200 East south of East 2620 North. Marker is located at Rock Canyon Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2549 N 1200 E, Provo UT 84604, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Provo Had a “Pest House” for Those with Communicable Diseases (within shouting distance of this marker); Choosing the Site of Provo’s First Tabernacle Caused Some Controversy (within shouting distance of this marker); Provo’s First Bank was Late in Coming but Didn’t Last Long (within shouting distance of this marker); Provo’s North Park Had a Community Ice Skating Rink in the 1930s (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carp Not Native to Utah Lake; Introduced in 1882 (about 300 feet away); Creating the “Y” on the Mountain (about 500 feet away); Army Troops Caused the “Provo Riot” in 1870 (about 500 feet away); First Utah County Fair Held in Provo (approx. 1˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Provo.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.