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 . . . — — Map (db m240478) HM
Art or Language?
Rock writings, like all symbolism, may look like art, but speak different languages depending on the interpreter.
How These Images Were Made
Petroglyphs are symbols made upon rock by pecking, incising, . . . — — Map (db m274931) HM
The Center Creek Hydroelectric Power Plant, located at 190 West 200 South in Parowan, was associated with the development of hydroelectric power in Parowan. Parowan, originally called Center Creek, was settled in 1851, and was principally based on . . . — — Map (db m272549) HM
This building, erected in 1866, served the community of Parowan for 52 years as a religious and cultural center. Later it was given by the L.D.S. Church to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, who in 1939-40 restored the old edifice and in 1949-50 . . . — — Map (db m59614) HM
[Caption]: Utah’s Patchwork Parkway offers travelers a diverse patchwork of colors, cultures, and climates.
[Caption]: Photo below: Pioneer Parade in Parowan & the Aladdin Theater. Photo above: Farming Near Parowan
Since . . . — — Map (db m261535) HM
[Caption]: Utah’s Patchwork Parkway offers travelers a diverse patchwork of colors, cultures, and climates.
[Caption]: Photos below: Deer Along Parkway. Photo above: Motorcyclists Along Parkway
In the early 1900s, the Utah . . . — — Map (db m261533) HM
The First Iron County Log School House, was Built in Nov, 1851 and Classes began on Jan 12, 1852. Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic were taught. The only supplies were a few Slates and Books. It was also used for Town Meetings and Dances. . . . — — Map (db m272546) HM
"I commenced a grammar school in my wickiup by the light of the fire and only one grammar book." Diary of George A. Smith, February 25, 1851.
The first school house, 18 x 24 feet, was built west of the Council House and dedicated December 25, . . . — — Map (db m59611) HM
“Iron we must have. We cannot well do without it,” pronounced Mormon President Brigham Young as he called for the colonization of Iron
County. The original boundaries of Iron County included a strip of
territory approximately 100 miles from . . . — — Map (db m240471) HM
The petroglyph before you tells the story of the migration from old world to new. It depicts a long trail on which many experienced famine, drought, water crossings, cold, ice, and hot sun. The panel also talks of a great Leader. When the people . . . — — Map (db m274938) HM
The Hopi people entered into a sacred covenant declaring their responsibility to be stewards of the Earth.
Members of the Hopi tribe describe their connections with Parowan Gap this way: The Hopi people, or Hopisinom, entered into a . . . — — Map (db m274940) HM
Dedicated to the memory of
Mary Aikens Smith
and her sons
Jesse Nathaniel and Silas Sanford
and to the memory of
All the pioneer settlers
who founded Parowan in 1851
Constructed 1856-58 by Jesse N. Smith
Restored 1967 by . . . — — Map (db m59602) HM
Built by:
Jesse N. Smith, 1856-57
Registered by:
Jesse N. Smith Family, 2/3/71
Construction notes:
Original portion made of
adobe brick. — — Map (db m59603) HM
Seeking a suitable railroad route through the central Rockies, John C. Freemont and Company reached Parowan February 6, 1854.
These are Freemont's own words, "We were all so feeble we could barely drag ourselves down the trail, but the Mormons . . . — — Map (db m59610) HM
[Caption]: Utah’s Patchwork Parkway offers travelers a diverse patchwork of colors, cultures, and climates.
[Caption]: Photo below: Sheep Grazing Photo above: Utah’s Patchwork Parkway
For centuries people and animals have . . . — — Map (db m261537) HM
People have lived in this landscape for over 12,000 years. Though few artifacts remain from these earliest inhabitants, we know they hunted animals and gathered wild plants, migrating with the seasons.
While these early people likely traveled . . . — — Map (db m274936) HM
Dr. Priddy Meeks
1795-1886
Meeks/Green Pioneer Farmstead
The Meeks/Green Farmstead is Parowan's sole surviving pioneer-era farmstead, an integral element of the town's early agricultural history. The construction of the Meeks cabin and . . . — — Map (db m240474) HM
Early Settlers of Parowan. Horace Fish born 6 Jan 1799 Hatley, Stanstead, Quebec, Son of joseph and Sally Spear Fish. Married Hannah Leavitt on 18 July 1825. Hannah Leavitt born 26 Dec 1850 in Johnsbury, Caledonia County, Vermont, daughter of . . . — — Map (db m2253) HM
[Caption]: Utah’s Patchwork Parkway offers travelers a diverse patchwork of colors, cultures, and climates.
[Caption]: Photo below: Heritage Park & Brian Head Ski Lift Photo above: Dr. Meeks Pioneer Farmstead
Settled on . . . — — Map (db m261536) HM
Nathan Benson, Sr. was a successful local entrepreneur. In addition to running a sawmill, he was a skilled stonecutter. His headstones can be found in many Southern Utah cemeteries. He emigrated from England, along with his wife and family, in 1868 . . . — — Map (db m261538) HM
The Parowan Dramatic Association was organized in 1851 with Edward Dalton president, Jessie V. Smith, Joseph, Jane and Annie Fish, David and Wm. Cluff, Wm. C. McGregor and Ed Ward, members. Plays were produced in Log Council House and Rock Church . . . — — Map (db m59615) HM
...the longest, crookedost, most arduous pack mule route in the history of America...
Profit could be made transporting New Mexico serapes and other woolen goods to Los Angeles, and wrangling California-bred horses and mules back to . . . — — Map (db m274178) HM
...the longest, crookedost, most arduous pack mule route in the history of America...
Profit could be made transporting New Mexico serapes and other woolen goods to Los Angeles, and wrangling California-bred horses and mules back to . . . — — Map (db m274179) HM
During the last half of the 19th century, commercial endeavors developed along Parowan's main street. Into this community rode the freighters, commanding huge freight wagons pulled by draft animals, freighting their wares to our needful pioneer . . . — — Map (db m240477) HM
[Caption]: Utah’s Patchwork Parkway offers travelers a diverse patchwork of colors, cultures, and climates.
[Caption]: Photos above: Southern Paiute Group Near Cedar, UT, 1872 & Basket Maker
A visit to the surrounding . . . — — Map (db m261534) HM
The Paiute people documented their stories, history, and events in symbols on rocks.
Elders of the Paiute tribe who live in this area today tell the story of their people's ties to Parowan Gap. Paiute elder Arthur Richards describes how, . . . — — Map (db m274937) HM
As a young man, Parley P. Pratt left his farming roots to become a traveling preacher, during which time he was converted and baptized into the Mormon Church. As a faithful saint, Pratt went on a number of Church missions, served as a member of the . . . — — Map (db m1424) HM
This site marks the southwest corner of the old Parowan adobe fort. It was constructed at the direction of LDS leader Brigham Young, to help secure the new pioneers as they developed the mother town of Southern Utah. Conceptualized in 1851, the . . . — — Map (db m240472) HM
On this site, in 1862 the first Cotton Factory was erected in the west. Designed and operated by William Marsden and owned by Ebenezer Hanks. Here the first ball of Cotton Yarn was made west of the Mississippi River.
Girls That Worked in the . . . — — Map (db m59601) HM
This archeological site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. The petroglyphs displayed here represent the work of prehistoric Fremont and Southern Paiute cultures the figures and drawings are likely the work of many . . . — — Map (db m274928) HM
Wife of apostle Amasa Mason Lyman "Aunt Pliny" was Parowan's first doctor and midwife. She was sent by Brigham Young to care for the Parowan pioneers. "Aunt Pliny" was a woman of great faith, one whose testimony and resolve blessed the lives of . . . — — Map (db m59579) HM
In 1850, discovery of large deposits of iron ore and coal in this vicinity by Parley P. Pratt, a Mormon leader and explorer, led Brigham Young to plan immediate colonization and development of the entire Southern Utah area.
Parowan was . . . — — Map (db m272547) HM
This church built of sandstone brought from Parowan Canyon, started in 1863 and completed about 1876, was the religious center of Parowan Valley. The large amusement hall in the basement was used for school and dances. A stage was erected in the . . . — — Map (db m59613) HM
Parowan was founded January 13, 1851 by settlers from northern communities under the leadership of George A. Smith. Among the early structures were a large liberty pole and a sundial.
This marker designates the site of the community sundial . . . — — Map (db m59612) HM
At Parowan, a pioneer industrial center was settled in 1851. Water for manufacturing and industry was carried by wooden flume from the canyon to the fort. Along this water line industries were established known as the Public Works. Among these were . . . — — Map (db m59574) HM
In 1849, the Legislative Assembly in Salt Lake City commissioned Parley P. Pratt to lead the Southern Exploring Expedition and scout for new Mormon settlement sites. They camped at a site that would become the town of Parowan and erected a flag pole . . . — — Map (db m274932) HM
In 1849, the Southern Expedition led by Parley P. Pratt, left Salt Lake City with instructions from Mormon President Brigham Young to search for colonization sites and iron ore deposits. Pratt, a Mormon explorer, led 50 men on an extensive . . . — — Map (db m1423) HM
Southern Utah Expedition of 1849
Realizing the limited resources for pioneer settlement in the Salt Lake Valley and surrounding settlements in 1849, and the potential of many more immigrants arriving in the next few years, Brigham Young . . . — — Map (db m274198) HM
Southern Utah Expedition of 1849
Realizing the limited resources for pioneer settlements in the Salt Lake Valley and surrounding settlements in 1849, and the potential of many more immigrants arriving in the next few years, Brigham Young . . . — — Map (db m59582) HM
Between 1829 and 1848, traders from Santa Fe used the Spanish Trail which passed through Parowan to transfer dry goods and captured Indian slaves to Los Angles, where they were exchanged for horses.
The trail was pioneered between 1776 and 1831 . . . — — Map (db m59580) HM
[Caption]: Utah’s Patchwork Parkway offers travelers a diverse patchwork of colors, cultures, and climates.
[Caption]: Photos below: Parowan Valley & Jessie N. Smith Home. Photo above: Rock Church Museum, Circa 2012.
Established in 1851, . . . — — Map (db m261530) HM
Constructed c. 1895, the William and Julia Lyman House is a type known as a central passage, where a central hallway divides the two equally sized main-floor rooms. The Lyman House is one of only a few of this type remaining in Parowan. The central . . . — — Map (db m59600) HM
Official outlet of ZCMI (Zion's Co-operative Mercantile Institution) "America's First Department Store." This building housed the Parowan ZCMI branch from 1909 until 1923. The name changed to Parowan Mercantile in 1923 when it became a . . . — — Map (db m250543) HM
