Kanab in Kane County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

First All Women Town Council
⎯⎯⎯
Mayor Mary's Home

Photographed by James Hulse, April 8, 2025

1. First All Women Town Council / Mayor Mary's Home Marker

Inscription.
Utah's First All-Women Town Council, in Kanab 1912-1914

Luella Atkin McAllister - Treasurer, Blanche Robinson Hamblin - Councilor, Mary Woolley (Howard) Chamberlain - Mayor, Tamar Stewart Hamblin - Clerk, and Ada Pratt Seegmiller - Councilor.
As the first elected all-women government in Utah and one of the first in the nation, these pioneer mothers, ages 26-41, worked tirelessly to pass ordinances aimed at the town's safety, sanitation, and beautification. They believed their election was intended as a joke, but after due consideration, the women decided to tackle the job and see what they could do. Their election and numerous accomplishments earned them a place in history. Mary declared, "We have always been united in our labors, have laid aside our personal feelings, and always worked for the public good."

Reverse Side
Mayor Mary's Home
In 1896, the citizens of Kane County elected Mary Elizabeth Woolley Chamberlain as the County Clerk, making her Utah's first female to hold that position. She later became Utah's first female Mayor, serving Kanab from 1912 to 1914. It was in 1916 that Mary, at this location,

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envisioned and designed the charming bungalow depicted in the image above. This seven-room dwelling was carefully planned with innovative, labor-saving features for maximum efficiency. Mary took immense pride and joy in her new "beautiful and cozy" abode. In 1918, she hosted a service to dedicate her home "to the Lord that it might be protected...and be a refuge of peace and love for my family and friends forever." This monument, constructed from the original bricks and foundation stones from Mary's home, stands as a tribute to honor her enduring legacy.

Erected 2024 by Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area Grant, Kanab Preservation Foundation, and generous donations from our community.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 37° 2.951′ N, 112° 31.853′ W. Marker is in Kanab, Utah, in Kane County. It is on North 100 West north of W Center Street (U.S. 89), on the left when traveling north. The marker is located along the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 95 N 100 W, Kanab UT 84741, United States of America.

Reverse Side - Mayor Mary's Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 8, 2025

2. Reverse Side - Mayor Mary's Home

Touch for directions.

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

in the Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

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: The Tithing Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Powell Survey (within shouting distance of this marker); James Drury (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Edward Faulkner (about 400 feet away); Buck Taylor (about 400 feet away); Robert Horton (about 400 feet away); The Ward Hall (about 400 feet away); Don Collier (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kanab.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Kanab's All-Women Council and Mayor (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . All-Woman Town Touncil. Kanab Preservation Foundation

“Kanab’s all-woman
Photographed by James Hulse, April 8, 2025

3. The view of the marker along the street
town council is a fascinating story of an election prank, the women who decided to take it seriously, and the civic accomplishments and struggles of an all-female town council,” reads the “Utah Historical Quarterly, Volume 73, Number 4, 2005” by the Utah State Historical Society.

The election was supposed to be a joke, though who got the last laugh is debatable since these remarkable women decided to take their seats on the council, give due diligence to their offices, and run the town. On the day they took office each of them was married and raising young children, 36 in total. Three of those children were born during their mother’s term in office. Two of the women worked outside of the home: Mary Chamberlain as a clerk in Kanab’s mercantile store and Tamar Hamblin as a “practical” nurse.

(Submitted on May 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the marker from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 8, 2025

4. The view of the marker from across the street

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.

First All Women Town Council⎯⎯⎯Mayor Mary's Home

First All Women Town Council
⎯⎯⎯
Mayor Mary's Home