Rock Canyon in Provo in Utah County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Provo Had a “Pest House” for Those with Communicable Diseases
One in a Series of Events from Provo's History
Provo did not have a specific place set aside for isolating infected patients until the spring of 1873 when a wayfarer, Captain R.C. Thomas, entered the city with little more than the clothes on his back and a case of small pox.
The Provo City Council rapidly authorized the purchase of 50 or 60 acres of land near the mountains and constructed a “pest house,” so called because it was used to confine people suffering from a pestilence, or a communicable disease. Thomas recovered in a little more than two weeks.
In 1877, a transient from California who was also suffering from small pox entered Provo. Workmen added another room onto the pest house for the use of attending nurses, and the new patient moved in. He survived, but a local teenage boy contracted the disease and died.
Increased fear of contagious diseases motivated the city council to pass an ordinance in 1878 that provided for quarantine and sanitary regulations. This ordinance required the appointment of a quarantine physician. The isolation at home of those who were ill with a serious disease and the marking of their residence with a yellow flag were now required by law. The ordinance also levied fines for those knowingly transporting sick people into Provo or for violating any part of the ordinance.
With infected people now confined to their own homes, the use of the “pest house” dwindled and it gradually became dilapidated. Workmen finally razed it in the 20th Century.
Erected by Rotary International and Provo Parks & Recreation. (Marker Number 50.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 40° 16.025′ N, 111° 38.257′ W. Marker is in Provo, Utah, in Utah County. It is in Rock Canyon. Marker is on North 1200 East south of East 2620 North, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at Rock Canyon Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2527 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. Proctor Academy Helped Educate Provo’s Youth (within shouting distance of this marker); Provo’s North Park Had a Community Ice Skating Rink in the 1930s (within shouting distance of this marker); Choosing the Site of Provo’s First Tabernacle Caused Some Controversy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carp Not Native to Utah Lake; Introduced in 1882 (about 300 feet away); Provo’s First Bank was Late in Coming but Didn’t Last Long (about 400 feet away); Creating the “Y” on the Mountain (about 400 feet away); Army Troops Caused the “Provo Riot” in 1870 (about 600 feet away); First Utah County Fair Held in Provo (approx. 1.4 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 66 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.