Parowan in Iron County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Alma W. Richards
Utah's First Olympic Gold Medalist
Photographed By Jeremy Snow, June 17, 2023
1. Alma W. Richards Marker
Alma W. Richards
Utah’s First Olympic Gold Medalist
February 20, 1890-born in Parowan, Utah.
1904-seeking to be "free," Richards dropped out of school at age 14.
1908-returned to school through the influence of a teacher who admonished, "The only way to be truly free is to get an education."
May, 1909-singlehandedly took first in state track meet, which included all of the high schools in Utah.
July, 1912-won an Olympic Gold Medal in the high jump at Stockholm, Sweden. Just prior to his victorious jump, in full view of King Gustav and 22,000 noisy spectators, the humble for boy dropped to his knees and silently prayed, "God, give me strength. And if it's right that I should win, give me strength to do my best to set a good example all the days of my life."
August 1915-smashed Jim Thorpe's Olympic world decathlon record by 1000 points.
1916-1919-served in the US. Army during WWI and was declared the greatest athlete in the US. Expeditionary Forces by General John Pershing.
1913-1932-won 33 Regional and National Track & Field Championships.
1924-after achieving academic excellence and earning a law degree at USC, he chose to become a teacher so he could make a difference in young people's lives. Richards taught briefly at Parowan High School and then in Southern California
this page online
1947-named Utah Athlete of the Century.
April 3, 1963-died in Orange, California. Richards' last request was to be buried in his beloved Parowan.
Sincere thanks for the many private and public donations received for this monument.
Joe Zaleski-Eagle Scout Project 2001
Erected 2001 by Joe Zaleski.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is February 20, 1908.
Location. 37° 50.795′ N, 112° 49.723′ W. Marker is in Parowan, Utah, in Iron County. Marker can be reached from North Main Street. Located in the high school parking lot, just to the north of the football field bleachers. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 168 N Main Street, Parowan UT 84761, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. An Original Hitching Ring (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old Comedy Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); D.U.P. Relic Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pioneer Rock Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pioneer Sundial (approx. 0.4 miles away); John C. Freemont Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); First School House and Council House in Iron County (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jesse N. Smith Home (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parowan.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on February 6, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
