Provo in Utah County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
A Firebug Bit Provo in 1878
One in a Series of Events from Provo's History
David John replaced William Paxman as Smoot’s partner in 1878. Smoot, John & Company made wooden doors, window sashes, and moldings as well as running a lumberyard.
On the night of March 28, 1878, men who were passing by the business noticed fires burning at both ends of a shed that was full of dry lumber. Since Provo had no fire department, volunteers fought the fire with buckets of water. They also hauled some lumber and shingles out of harm’s way.
The partners, who carried no insurance, lost about $2,300 worth of lumber and manufactured goods. They suspected that an arsonist had set the fire.
Another mysterious fire broke out in Provo’s Gardeners’ Exchange Building shortly afterward on the night of April 8, and spread to an adjacent building on Main Street (now University Avenue). It caused $5,000 worth of damages. This blaze also appeared to be the work of an arsonist. Men searched the neighborhood and found coal oil and other combustibles prepared for the flames in a nearby store.
These fires so close together prompted the Salt Lake Tribune to comment, “These incendiary fires are becoming common.” The fires and further evidence of a pyromaniac in the area aroused the people of Provo. Mayor Smoot, whose lumberyard had burned down, and the Provo City Council took rapid action in April. They authorized the organization of citizen groups to patrol the streets at night and watch for any questionable activity.
After the vigilante patrols began, the suspicious fires ended. Apparently, the firebug took flight in search of more combustible materials.
Erected by Rotary International and Provo Parks & Recreation. (Marker Number 43.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is March 28, 1878.
Location. 40° 14.302′ N, 111° 43.298′ W. Marker has been damaged. Marker is in Provo, Utah, in Utah County. Marker can be reached from Boat Harbor Drive west of North Lakeview Parkway. Marker is located at Alligator Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3777 Boat Harbor Dr, Provo UT 84601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Utah Lake Resorts (approx. half a mile away); Fort Utah (approx. 1.4 miles away); A Curious Craft Once Skimmed the Ice on Utah Lake (approx. 1˝ miles away); Large Showboat Once Sailed on Utah Lake (approx. 1˝ miles away); The City of Provo was founded in 1849 by Mormon pioneers (approx. 2.1 miles away); Provo Once Had a Silk Industry (approx. 2˝ miles away); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 2.7 miles away); The Octogon House (approx. 2.9 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 72 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.