Monthly Archives: August 2017

Geneva/Horse Canyon Mine Monument

31 Thursday Aug 2017

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2014-07-07 17.06.46

GENEVA COAL MINE

HORSE CANYON COAL MINE

In the early years of World War II, the United States Government determined that it was necessary to locate strategic defense industries in locations that would not be subject to immediate attack in the event the Japanese invaded the West Coast of the United States.

The Utah coal reserves in the Book Cliffs were the logical source of metallurgical grade coal for the steel making process and Orem, Utah, was the location selected for a large steel making facility to support the war effort.

The Geneva Steel Mill was built in Orem and the Geneva Coal Mine was developed in the Book Cliffs coal fields in 1942. The construction and operation of the steel mill and coal mine were overseen by the Defense Plant Corporation from 1942 to 1945.

At the end of the war United States Steel Corporation purchased the Geneva Steel Mill and the Geneva Coal Mine, operating these facilities until the 1980’s. In 1982, the Geneva Coal Mine was closed and subsequently sold to the Kaiser Coal Company. Kaiser Coal Company never opened or operated the Geneva Coal Mine.

During the 40 years of operation the Geneva Coal Mine produced over 30 million tons of coal, almost exclusively for use at the Geneva Steel Mill. During the war years the mine operated at peak production levels approaching one million tons per year, employing nearly 800 people.

Over the years, a number of mine employees etched their place in history by welding their names on large steel plates covering sumps and pits in the mines maintenance buildings. These steel plates have been preserved as a tribute to all employees of the U.S. Steel Corporation’s Geneva Coal Mine

In 1990 the Intermountain Power Agency (IPA) acquired the Geneva Coal Mine and South Lease coal Reserves from the Kaiser Coal Company. In 1990-91 IPA reclaimed major portions of the surface mining facilities.

This monument dedicated by IPA in 1991 as a tribute to those men named here and to the Utah Coal Industry.

12 STEEL PLAQUES CONTAIN WELDED NAMES OF MINE EMPLOYEES

Click here to see other info on Helper, Utah.

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Heber C. Kimball Monument

31 Thursday Aug 2017

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A Monument/Plaque to Heber C. Kimball at the Main Street Park in Heber.  Across the street from the DUP Museum.

It reads:

The people of Heber City cherish the heritage bequeathed by our pioneer forebears and the challenge set forth by the city’s namesake, Heber C. Kimball: “Now you people have named your little town after me, I want you to see to it that you are honest, upright citizens…. that I may not have cause to be ashamed.”

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    Dr. Barney Clark

    31 Thursday Aug 2017

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    2017-07-11 18.49.01

    In memory of Dr. Barney Clark and his tremendous courage and pioneering spirit.

    Dr. Barney Clark dedicated his life to the practice and advancement of medicine from his entry into medical school until his death.

    Dr. Clark was a vital force in pioneering the use of a permanent artificial heart. He was the first recipient of this artificial heart which was surgically implanted on Dec. 2, 1982. He used this heart to sustain his life from Dec. 2, until his death on March 23, 1983. His sacrifice is immeasurable in the advancement of medicine, for this, Dr. Clark takes his place among American heroes.

    Dr. Clark was one of Provo’s finest sons and he will always be remembered for his dedication and courage. He was born in Provo on Jan. 21, 1921. He attended Maeser Elementary School and Dixon Jr. High. He graduated from Provo High School in 1939, Dr. Clark received a bachelors degree from B.Y.U. in zoology, graduating with honors in 1948.

    This memorial to Dr. Barney Clark is a tribute to his medical generosity, courage and life. Fundraising sponsored by KEYY Radio 1450 AM, City of Provo, The Daily Herald, Central Bank and Trust, Beesly Monument

    This monument is located in Memorial Park in Provo.

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    Fire Destroys Brigham Young Academy Building

    30 Wednesday Aug 2017

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    2017-07-11 18.36.20

    Fire Destroys Brigham Young Academy Building

    William and Warren Dusenberry operated the Timpanogos Branch of the University of Deseret in Lewis Hall, a two-story brick building on the northeast corner of the intersection of 300 West Center.  From 1870 to 1875, the school succeeded educationally, but it failed financially.

    Brigham Young, who owned Lewis Hall, transferred the deed to the building to a board of trustees in 1875 and instructed them to create a new school named Brigham Young Academy.  The board complied and elected Warren Dusenberry as the new school’s principal.

    Karl G. Maeser replaced Dusenberry the next year, and the teachers of the academy incorporated religion into their courses.  Enrollment grew and workmen expanded the building in 1882 and 1883.

    Then on the night of January 27, 1884, tragedy envoloped Lewis Hall.  Two men walking past the building about 11:00 p.m. noticed a glow of flames inside.  They broke into the building and dragged the school’s pump organ out of harm’s way.  Other men sounded the alarm by ringing the meetinghouse bell or by running through the streets yelling, “Fire! It’s the B.Y. Academy!”

    A large crowd gathered around the academy and carried out some of its contents.  Since Provo had no fire department, members of the throng formed a bucket brigade from the millrace a block to the east.  The efforts of the brigade were futile, and the fore consumed the uninsured building.

    Local officials announced a public meeting to be held the next day in Provo’s partially finished tabernacle.  President Smoot announced that the new term would start the next day as scheduled.  Students met in the basement of the Provo Meetinghouse and in various business buildings.  Te school’s board of trustees chose a new site for the academy and build a large school building on what is now Academy Square.  It has served many years as Provo’s library.

    This plaque is located in Memorial Park, to see other plaques in the series click here.

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    One in a Series of Events from Provo’s History

    29 Tuesday Aug 2017

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    2017-07-11 18.30.19

    When exploring Provo I’ve come across a series of historic plaques Provo City put up around town that say “One in a Series of Events from Provo’s History” across the top and then describe some of Provo’s history and are numbered.  I’d like to eventually locate them all and have them listed here so I’ll create this and add to it as I find them.

    Utah Territorial Insane Asylum Came to Provo in 1885.

    29 Tuesday Aug 2017

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    For decades after colonists settled Provo in 1849, the Utah County Court (now called the County Commission) supervised the care of those in the county who suffered from extreme poverty, mental deficiency, or mental illness.  Residents of the community submitted bids to the County Court for the care of these people.  The justices then assigned the care of these disadvantaged individuals to the lowest bidder.

    The Utah Territorial Legislature passed a bill authorizing the establishment of the Utah Territorial Insane Asylum in 1880.  This new institution’s board of directors, which included two former members of the Provo City Council, became responsible for choosing a site for the asylum.

    Utah, Salt Lake, and Davis counties actively campaigned to become the site of the new institution.  In an effort to sway the opinion of the board of directors, Provo City offered the asylum’s board $500 and Utah County offered another $2,000 to help buy the necessary land for the new buildings.  With this inducement in mind, the board chose Provo in 1881 as the site for the asylum.

    A four-man committee selected the location for the new buildings in the foothills east of the end of Provo’s Center Street where a good spring flowed from the mountain.  The money from the city and county paid for the initial 40 acres of land.

    There was one major difficulty with the site: no road existed between the location of the future buildings and the east end of Center Street.  The Provo City Council negotiated with landowners, bought the right of way, and extended Center Street to the asylum grounds.

    Construction workers finished the south wing of the new building in 1885.  It housed the first 200 patients.  Builders added a middle wing and north wing to the main building later.  Although the old building has been replaced, the current hospital stands on the same site.   A small museum open to the public now occupies the former residence of the superintendent.

    This plaque is located in Memorial Park, for other plaques in the series click here.

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