When
iron deposits were found in southern Utah, Brigham Young called
for volunteers to colonize the Iron Mission Area. A site near Coal
Creek was selected in November 1851 for the Iron Works. Originally
called Little Muddy, then Coal Creek, Cedar City was named for the
cedar trees in the area, though these trees are actually juniper
trees. Ten months after site selection, the new colony completed
a small blast furnace and began to operate the iron foundry. It
was the first iron to be manufactured west of Missouri. Because
of problems with the furnace, flood and hostility between settlers
and Native Americans, the foundry closed in 1858. Unlike many small
mining towns of that era, Cedar City continued to grow and prosper.
Residents turned to farming and agriculture for economic well being.
Mining efforts began again to help provide much needed ore during
WWII and continued until the 1980's.
Determination for Education
In 1897, the people of Cedar City learned that the Utah Legislature
had authorized a school for higher learning in southern Utah. The
community labored to construct the Ward Hall; however, after being
in session only two months, the attorney general stated that the
school had to have its own building on land deeded to the state.
He said if the building was not erected by the following September,
the school would be lost. At that point winter had set in and building
materials were nonexistent. The residents of Cedar City were unencumbered
as they planned to make the trek up the mountain to secure the necessary
logs for the building.
Old Sorrel Saves the Day
For days the team of wagons waded through one of the worst mountain
snowstorms ever to hit southern Utah. The snow was often shoulder-deep
as the men pushed their way up the mountain toward the lumber mills.
They slept in holes scraped out of the snow. After reaching the sawmill
and gathering the necessary lumber, the men were discouraged with
the realization that they now had to turn back. The wagons that could
not make it were abandoned. Tired and frozen, the party felt they
could go no further. It was then that an old sorrel horse proved invaluable.
Placed out at the front of the party, the horse would walk steadily
into the drifts, pushing against the snow, throwing himself into the
drifts again and again until they gave way. When he paused to rest,
he sat on his haunches the way a dog would. Then onward he would push.
"Old Sorrel" was credited with being the savior of the expedition.
In the fall of 1898 the building was complete. The people of Cedar
City had persevered and finished the building known today as Old Main.
A statue of Old Sorrel also stands as a monument to the dedication
of a people and their commitment to education.
The Railroad is Here!
The Union Pacific Railroad Company reached Cedar City in 1923. This
contributed greatly to Cedar City's growth in mining and agriculture,
providing an outlet for the products of the iron mines as well as
produce. The railroad exposed Utah's National Parks to the world of
tourism and Cedar City was dubbed "the gateway to the parks."
Though the Depot was closed in 1959, the railroad still comes through
Cedar City and transports products in and out of the community.
A Place of Worship
The long-standing Rock Church is perhaps one of the most familiar
buildings in Cedar City. Built in 1930 by local volunteers, the church
was built with red rock from the surrounding area. Of all of the old
buildings still standing around town, the Rock Church has become a
cornerstone of the community. Today it stands as a monument to past
generations and a place of worship for the generation of today, as
well as a museum.
The Old Hopsital
Built by the citizens of Iron County in 1922, the Old Hospital,
is another building that stands as a representation of the determination
and resourcefulness of the community. All of the land and equipment
for this building were donated. When the new hospital was built in
1964, the Old Hospital was donated to the College for dorms and classrooms.
Later it was acquired and renovated by the Dixie Leavitt Group.
Growth and Prosperity
In
1913, the college became a branch of Utah State Agricultural College
of Logan. In 1968, the legislature transformed it into a 4-year
college of liberal arts and science with elementary and secondary
teacher education programs. On January 1, 1991, it attained university
status. In addition to being an educational haven, it is also the
home of the world renowned Utah Shakespearean Festival and The Utah
Summer Games. Both of these events bring increasing numbers of tourists
to this thriving community every year. A very detailed and interesting
history of Cedar City and Iron County can be found in Community
Above Self, A History of Iron County, written by Janet Burton Seegmiller.
In
1913, the college became a branch of Utah State Agricultural College
of Logan. In 1968, the legislature transformed it into a 4-year
college of liberal arts and science with elementary and secondary
teacher education programs. On January 1, 1991, it attained university
status. In addition to being an educational haven, it is also the
home of the world renowned Utah Shakespearean Festival and The Utah
Summer Games. Both of these events bring increasing numbers of tourists
to this thriving community every year. A very detailed and interesting
history of Cedar City and Iron County can be found in Community
Above Self, A History of Iron County, written by Janet Burton Seegmiller.
