MPNHA Press Release - Scandinavian Heritage Festival
The Mormon Colonization
Mormon Colonization
In the later part of the 1800s the Mormon pioneers began their great relocation to the west. They trekked 1,400 miles from Illinois to the Great Salt Lake. This mass-Exodus brought about colonization in Utah, Nevada, the southwest corner of Wyoming, the southeast corner of Idaho, southeast Oregon, and a large portion of southern and eastern California.
Many men, women, and children left the comfort of their homes, family, and friends to head west for a new home. Their sacrifice was great, many paid the ultimate price, as they traveled the trails which would take them to areas of the unsettled west. Many suffered from lack of food, clothing, supplies, and unimaginable hardships, and harsh weather conditions.
The women would gather together and help hold blankest to shelter over women who happened to be giving birth while in a rain storm that pelting the new mother. The men and women a like shared the duties, the work, and caring for one another. The hardship was more than difficult, the weather was a huge factor, the lack of food and supplies were detrimental, the work was arduous, yet through it all they forged together for a new home, a new beginning, new territory that would be the carving out of the western United States of America. They were men, women, and children that had the courage and fortitude to go where there was nothing but vast emptiness to start and settle a new land.
Many lost loved ones along the way. Fathers and mothers buried their young children along the way. Husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, children of all ages were lost on their trek but their remaining families were dedicated, driven to reach their new unknown community. We owe a huge debt to these valiant people who tamed the desert, plowed the arid lands, and began to make the west what it has become today.
Little Denmark Events
Little Denmark District
Feb.
US Open Snowkite Masters
Little Denmark District
• May
Spring City Heritage Days
Little Denmark District
Ephraim Scandinavian Festival Little Denmark District
• June
Mormon Miracle Pageant Little Denmark District
• July
Lamb Days Little Denmark District
Pioneer Days Little Denmark District
Hub City Days Little Denmark District
Fairview Lace Days Little Denmark District
Mountain Man Rendezvous Little Denmark District
• August
Manti Mountain ATV Tour Little Denmark District
Skyline 10K Run Little Denmark District
Sanpete County Fair Little Denmark District
Sanpete Classic Bike Race Little Denmark District
• September
Spring City Artists Studio Tour Little Denmark District
Pioneer Day ‘Birthday Bash’ Celebrates Mt. Pleasant’s Founding Fathers and U.S. Highway 89 Designation
| DATE 03/13/2007 12:41 PM |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89. Pioneer Day ‘Birthday Bash’ Celebrates Mt. Pleasant’s Founding Fathers |
| Mt. Pleasant City is throwing a party March 24 for its founding fathers and to celebrate the designation of U.S. Highway 89 as a national historical designation.
“Every year, we honor the people who made this city what it is today with a special Pioneer Day luncheon,” says Joann Winward, a member of the Mt. Pleasant Historical Association, which sponsors the annual event. “This year, we have another thing to celebrate: the passage of the National Mormon Pioneer Heritage area, which recognizes the historical significance and heritage of U.S. Highway 89. So we decided to make the highway the theme of this year’s party.” The theme of the luncheon is “Keep on Truckin’ Down U.S. Highway 89.” The event starts at 11 a.m. with a box lunch at at noon at the South Ward “Yellow Church,” 295 S. State Street in Mt. Pleasant. U.S. Highway 89 has a rich history in Sanpete County, Winward says. It was the route the region’s early settlers used in 1860 to take cattle for the winter to Sevier Valley. In 1862, oats were delivered to Ruby Valley by wagons and oxen teams via this route, and it soon became the main road for mail delivery. In July of 1861, Brigham Young authorized spending $4,000 from tithing funds to complete U.S. Highway 89 so that it ran from Sanpete County to Spanish Fork, and it officially opened to the public in 1882. Today, the cities and towns in the six-county area are the best remaining example of how Mormon pioneers colonized the west. A bill establishing the National Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area was signed into law by President George W. Bush last fall. Many local residents spent years working on the measure and even helped draft the original bill. The national designation recognizes the history, architecture and culture along “the heritage highway,” and includes U.S. Highway 89 from Fairview to Kanab, the Boulder Loop (state highways 12 and 24), the All-American Road (highway 12) and the six counties through which the route passes: Sanpete, Sevier, Piute, Wayne, Garfield and Kane. “In my time, boys could hitch hike along U.S. Highway 89 to visit girls in the surrounding towns of Fairview and Spring City,” Winward says. “By the time we graduated form high school, we would ‘drag’ the highway in our cars.” People are invited to swap stories about the highway, and the region’s history in general, during the Pioneer Day luncheon. The event will also include a reception, silent auction, bake sale, and musical performances by the Snow College L.D. Singers. Cost for the box lunch is $7. There will also be copies of Mt. Pleasant history books for purchase. “There is a little bit of something for everyone,” Winward says. “It’s a way for us to honor the pioneers who settled the area. We invite anyone who has ever lived in Mt. Pleasant to attend, and anyone who is interested in Mt. Pleasant to attend.” The annual celebratory lunch is one of the two main programs supported by the Mt. Pleasant Historical Association. The group also looks after Relic House, a museum that displays relics ranging from pioneer quilts and clothing to blacksmith shop tools and equipment. Relic House was one of the first homes in Mt. Pleasant to be built outside of the fort that housed the area’s first settlers. It was built by William S. Seely, who was the first LDS bishop and also the town’s first mayor. Mt. Pleasant City was officially founded in 1859. Nearly two-thirds of the city’s earliest settlers were Scandinavian pioneers who immigrated to Utah from Canada, the United States and England. # # # |
| For more information Contact:
Monte Bona |
President Signs Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area Bill
DATE 10/19/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.
President Signs Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area Bill
A bill establishing the National Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area has been signed into law by President George W. Bush.
“I’m extremely pleased that after years of moving this bill through the legislative process President Bush has signed the National Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area into law,” said Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, who sponsored legislation to create the heritage area. “This is a fitting tribute to Utah’s pioneers and one that will help promote economic development and preserve our unique heritage for future generations.”
The national designation recognizes the history, architecture and culture along “the heritage highway,” and includes U.S. Highway 89 from Fairview to Kanab, the Boulder Loop (state highways 12 and 24), the All-American Road (highway 12) and the six counties through which the route passes: Sanpete, Sevier, Piute, Wayne, Garfield and Kane.
Many local residents, including Monte Bona, executive director of the Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance, and Gary Anderson of Utah State University’s Extension, spent years working on the measure and Bona even helped draft the original bill. Bona called Bush’s signing “An important and historic event. It’s very rewarding to see the Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area officially established.” The initiative underwent several renditions in the past six years and survived three sessions of Congress.
Bona says that the cities and towns in the six-county area are the best remaining example of how Mormon pioneers colonized the west. “The heritage area includes countless examples of rich cultural and architectural history shaped by the early settlers,” he says.
The bill specified that up to $10 million may be spent on development of the heritage area, including activities such as historic preservation of buildings and signage, but no more than $1 million per year. Funds are matched on a 50 per cent basis.
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For more information Contact:
Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502
Sanpete County Gearing Up for Pioneer Day
DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.
Sanpete County Gearing Up for Pioneer Day
Parades, picnics, and fun runs are just some of the highlights of the Pioneer Day celebrations that will take place in Sanpete County. Several of the cities and towns in the region have planned numerous activities and events in the days leading up to and including July 24.
In Fairview, the celebrations begin July 20 with an ATV rodeo at 7 p.m. On Friday, July 21, there will be entertainment at 6 p.m. at the rodeo grounds followed by an “old-fashioned” kids’ rodeo at 7 p.m. The annual rodeo will be Saturday, July 22, at 8 p.m. Other highlights on Saturday include a co-ed softball tournament, a horse parade at 6 p.m., and entertainment at 7 p.m.
On Monday, July 24, festivities get underway at 6 a.m. with a “fireman’s wake-up call.” At 6:30 a.m., the “fun run” starts at the City Hall, followed by a 7 a.m. flag-raising ceremony, a fireman’s breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m., and a craft fair and vendor booths in the dance hall starting at 9 a.m. A children’s parade will be held at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Pioneer Day Parade at 11 a.m. At noon, lunch will be served in the city park. There will also be sand volleyball games, the Gateway to Skyline Drive Recreation Show, and a “Fairview Idol” talent contest. At 6 p.m., entertainment starts at the rodeo arena, followed by a derby and fireworks at dusk. For more information, call Peggy Johnson at 435-469-1069.
In Spring City, Pioneer Day celebrations begin Friday, July 21, with a all-ages street dance at 8 p.m. on Main Street. Events on Saturday, July 22, include a fireman’s breakfast from 7 to 9:30 am., a 10 a.m. parade followed by a car show at 11 a.m., and a children’s carnival and bake sale starting at noon in the city park. Live entertainment starts at 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, an Old-Time Gospel Music Program will be held at 7 p.m. at the City Bowery. For more information, call 435-462-2244.
Mayfield will hold its annual Pioneer Days on Monday, July 24. Highlights include a 10 a.m. “Mammoth Parade,” followed by food, entertainment, carnival booths, children’s races and other events in the town park. For more information, phone 435-528-5061.
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For more information Contact:
Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502
Spring City Readies For Heritage Celebration
DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.
Spring City Readies For Heritage Celebration
Day-Long Event to Include Historical Tours, Art Auction.
Spring City’s will open its doors May 27 for its annual Heritage Day celebration. The city’s history and beauty, along with the talented people who call this small Sanpete County town home, will be on display for all to see and appreciate.
The day-long event will include historical tours, including beautiful pioneer homes, the recently restored Old Spring City School, and the bishops storehouse; an art show featuring local artisans; and an antique show that will include a saddle display, furniture and farm equipment. There will also be a community breakfast and lunch, and a Daughters of the Utah Pioneers quilt show and bake raffle.
Tickets for the historical homes tour go on sale at 9 a.m. and the tour begins at 10 a.m. At least 15 buildings will be on tour this year, including the newly restored 1883 Behunnin-Beck house on Main Street.
The art and antique show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Old Spring City School, 100 East Center Street. It will feature works by current Spring City artists including Orsal Allred, Lee Bennion, Linda Budd, Susan Gallacher, M’lisa Paulsen, Cassandria Parsons and Kathy Peterson.
In addition, this year’s show will feature “Art Squared,” a wall of one-foot square paintings by these artists, as well as nationally-known artists Brad Aldrich, Doug Fryer, Brian Kershink, Ron Richmond and Michael Workman.
The art works will be auctioned during the show, and proceeds will go to the Old Spring City School restoration fund. The school is a 100-year-old Victorian structure that has stood proudly in downtown Spring City for more than 100 years. It’s featured on city council letterhead and is prominently displayed on the city’s logo.
Built in 1899, the school has eight classrooms, four on each level, as well as a large attic space, complete with windows. At one time, it housed all the grades, and was even used as a middle school and high school. A “new” elementary school was built next to the Historical Old School in 1920 and uses for the old school began to diminish. Eventually, the old schoolhouse became a make-shift storage facility for the school district. It hasn’t been used as a school since the 1950s.
Several years ago, friends of Historic Spring City started raising money to save the building, including adding the historic home tour and art sale to Heritage Day events to help raise money. The group also received a grant from the National Parks Service (Save America’s Treasures program). Plans call for using the building as a community center.
For more information on Spring City’s Heritage Day celebration, contact Kaye Watson, (435) 462-2211 or M’lisa Paulsen, (435) 462-3454.
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For more information Contact:
Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502
New Loan Program Opens Doors for New B&B, Other Projects in Rural Utah
| DATE 10/28/2005 11:38 AM |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89. New Loan Program Opens Doors for New B&B, Other Projects in Rural Utah |
| The opening of the Slot Canyons Inn, a new bed and breakfast in Escalante, was a significant event on many fronts. Not only did it fulfill a life-long dream for owners Jeff and Joette Marie Rex, it’s also another indicator that Utah’s small towns are increasingly becoming tourist destinations. In addition, the new inn is an example of how a new, unique loan program is helping rural areas.
The Slot Canyons Inn was supported by the new “One-Doc” program, a simplified loan guarantee program designed to assist lenders making business and commercial loans in rural areas. It’s is financed through a combination of U.S. Department of Agriculture Funding, Utah Business Lending and the Five County Association of Government’s Revolving Loan Fund. “This is an unusual pairing of three lenders on the front end of a project,” says Gordon Holt, president of the Utah Business Lending Corporation. The One-Doc program reduces some of the risk to make a rural loan because the USDA can guarantee loans up to 90 percent. “It allow lenders to make more rural loans because the guarantees do not count against the lender’s lending limit,” Holt says. The loans are for construction of business buildings, business acquisitions, purchase of machinery and equipment, remodeling projects and working capital. The Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance and Utah State Extension Service are working closely with Holt’s organization to identify businesses in Sanpete, Sevier, Piute, Wayne, Garfield and Kane Counties that might benefit from the program. “In particular, this program will help Sen. Robert Bennett in his efforts to assist businesses along U.S. Highway 89 through the creation of a national Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area,” says Monte Bona, a member of the highway alliance. The designation would mean that the six counties involved would receive funds for projects designed to retain and enhance the area’s natural beauty and promote heritage tourism. Heritage tourism is known as one of the fastest-growing segment in the tourism industry in America. The Slots Inn is a perfect example. The new bed and breakfast incorporates the area’s history, heritage and natural beauty. The Inn is surrounded by Monument, Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. It’s 40 miles from Bryce Canyon, the Dixie National Forest is adjacent to the property, and the Aquarius Plateau, the highest plateau in North America, is located 17 miles above. Three major canyons, the Escalante River and North Creek also come together at the site. “We have wanted to develop this 160-acre parcel of land since we purchased it several years ago,” says owner Jeff Rex. “We believe this spot is unique to Southern Utah and have chosen to build an eight-room Pueblo-style inn to fit with the significance of the site,” he says. A 110-year-old pioneer cabin built by Isaac Riddle and rebuilt in 1999 will also become part of the guest accommodations. For more information about the loan program, contact Gordon Holt at Utah Business Lending, (801) 654-2213. # # # |
| For more information Contact:
Monte Bona |
