Centerville in Davis County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Memorial to Centerville Pioneers
Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 1, 2024
1. Memorial to Centerville Pioneers Marker
Centerville, also known as Deuel Creek and Cherry Creek in the early days, was first settled in 1848 by Thomas Grover and Canys and William Devel. They, along with other early settlers of Centerville, were converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The first homes built in Centerville were made of logs dragged down from the sleep mountains. These homes were held together by wooden pegs and rawhide thongs, because they did not have nails in those early days. Later, homes were made of adobe (clay and straw dried in the sun). Other more substantial homes were constructed out of rocks washed down from the hills or found in the stream beds.
Water for the new community was diverted from four mountain streams. These streams were named after some of the early settlers Deuel, Parrish, Barnard and Ricks. In 1854, a grist will was built on Deuel Creek.
In 1863, the residents of Centerville began constructing a fort to protect themselves from the Indians. The Indian threat lessened, so it was never completed.
In 1851, a log hoolhouse was built. In 1852, Sanford Porter was called the first bishop of
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In 1866, William Reeves built a stage coach station in Centerville. He later converted it into the Elkhorn Hall to be used as an amusement hall for dances and local dramatic performances. The Elkhorn Hall is still standing and is used today as a residence. The schoolhouse and hall were also used for religious gatherings until 1879 when a church building was constructed at 1st South and 2nd East.
Brigham H. Roberts, a pioneer and General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, made his home in Centerville. Another Church leader, Charles C. Rich, an apostle, lived in Centerville for a short time.
The Bamberger Railroad line that ran between Ogden and Salt Lake City served the residents of Centerville from 1804 to 1962. There was also a trolley line between Centerville and Salt Lake City from 1913 to 1926.
In 1915, a few local men of vision
Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 1, 2024
2. Memorial to Centerville Pioneers Marker
Centerville has survived two devastating foods-in 1923 and 1930-that brought mud, rocks, and debris down the steep canyons. These floods washed away homes and roads and inundated much of Centerville's valuable farmland
-Vestil Harrison, Centerville Historical Society
Site No. 66 sponsored by the Centerville Chapter, Sons of Utah Pioneers
Dedicated July 3, 1994
Erected 1994 by Sons of Utah Pioneers. (Marker Number 66.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Utah Pioneers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.
Location. 40° 55.22′ N, 111° 52.728′ W. Marker is in Centerville, Utah, in Davis County. It is on North Main Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker and statue are on the west edge of William R. Smith Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 278 N Main Street, Centerville UT 84014, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Wasatch Front and in Greater Salt Lake. It is also in the American Mountain West and in Colorado Plateau. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Thomas & Elizabeth Whitaker House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kilbourn-Leak House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Centerville Co-op Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stage Coach Station (approx. Ό mile away); The Old Mill (approx. 0.6 miles away); Jeremiah Willey Cabin (approx. 1.9 miles away); James Green House (approx. 2 miles away); Clarence and Effie Eldredge House (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Centerville.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 804 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 7, 2024, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
