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

When Hollywood Came to Town

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, January 31, 2024

1. When Hollywood Came to Town Marker

Inscription.
When the railroad came to Cedar City in 1923, the mighty Union Pacific trains brought visitors from across the world to immerse themselves in the scenic wonders at our doorstep. The entrepreneurial brothers Gronway and Chauncy Parry saw the value of Cedar City's prime location to Utah's vast scenic landscapes and believed that Hollywood could make their popular westerns here in southern Utah. Due to the brothers intensive marketing efforts, the Fox Film Corporation announced in 1924 the world's most popular cowboy, Tom Mix would film his next movie Deadwood Coach in the area. Not only would this be the first Hollywood movie shot locally, it would be the first filmed in Utah.

The successful filming of Deadwood Coach placed Cedar City squarely in Hollywood's viewfinder. Filmmakers now had a blueprint for how to shoot films outside of the backlot, locating instead to the inspiring landscapes of southern Utah. This ushered in a new era of movie making and elevated Utah to international stardom as the state became the setting for thousands of feature motion pictures, television programs, documentaries, and commercials.

This

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theater was built in 1919 by Thomas A. Thorley and was the second movie theater in Cedar City. Throughout the decades, the Thorley Theater underwent a series of name changes including the Avalon and the Utah but by the 1950's it became known as the Cedar Theater. Now a local landmark, the Cedar dimmed its lights for the last time in 2016.

Dedicated Thursday, November 11, 2021
by Cedar City Historic Preservation Commission
Visit Cedar City * Brian Head

Erected 2021 by Cedar City Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 37° 40.681′ N, 113° 3.718′ W. Marker is in Cedar City, Utah, in Iron County. It is on North Main Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 70 N Main Street, Cedar City UT 84720, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Color Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky

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Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Richard Harrison (within shouting distance of this marker); Cedar City Offices (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Southern Utah (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cedar's Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Cedar City Founder (within shouting distance of this marker); Cedar Sheep Association (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cedar City Tabernacle (about 400 feet away); Pioneer Stockman (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedar City.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 30 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on January 31, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of marker and theatre together • Can you help?