The Hurricane Historic District is locally significant, both architecturally and historically, because it represents the social, economic, and architectural history of Hurricane, Utah. The district is significant under Criterion C for its concentration of intact examples of residential and commercial buildings that were built during each major construction period of the community’s early history, from the town’s founding in 1906 through 1940. The district accurately represents the full range of architectural styles, types, and construction materials found in Hurricane. The district is also significant under Criterion A for its representation of early agricultural family settlement patterns and local community growth. Hurricane experienced steady expansion as an agrarian community after the Hurricane Canal provided crop irrigation for new residents in 1904. The town continued to develop as an agricultural settlement until the beginning of World War II.
The Hurricane Historic District in Hurricane, Utah was added to the National Register of Historic Places (#95000980) August 4, 1995.
Roughly bounded by 300 South, 200 West, State St. and the Hurricane Canal.
Site
Hurricane is located in the southwest corner of Utah, 18 miles northeast of St. George, the county seat and largest city in the region. The town contains a population of approximately 4,500 people, and is built upon a grid of five acre blocks separated by wide streets. The Hurricane Historic District is located in the center of town and contains a variety of buildings from three primary building phases: 1906- 1920, 1920-1940, and 1945-present. The district covers an area of approximately twelve square blocks, with 121 primary buildings and 24 outbuildings. Of these, 66 of the buildings and 15 of the outbuildings contribute to the historic character of the district. Although out-of-period structures are found throughout the area, the district retains its overall historic feeling and association.
Commercial buildings dominate the core of the district along Main Street, with houses radiating into the surrounding blocks. Though each block is divided into four lots, most blocks contain 12-15 houses, with moderate front yards and varying set-backs. Residential blocks are characterized by open interiors, where a number of outbuildings are located. The oldest houses are located on corner lots. An abundance of mature trees, especially oak, fruit, and nut varieties, line the residential streets. Sandstone gutters are found on the east side of Main Street between 200 South and 300 South; elsewhere the gutters are concrete or nonexistent. Sidewalks are found only in front of the commercial buildings on Main Street, where the buildings are joined to each other and built flush with the sidewalk
The surrounding landscape of Hurricane is characterized by dramatic red and black rock outcroppings and scrubbrush. The natural landscape along the eastern boundary of the district consists of a rugged cliff that rises sharply for a distance of approximately 300 feet. The Hurricane Canal runs along the side of this ridge, which provides a distinctive visual boundary for the district. Two historic rock and concrete water cisterns (c. 1909) are located next to the canal at the north edge of the district boundaries.
Residential Buildings
Domestic structures within the Hurricane Historic District are primarily Victorian eclectic cross-wing houses, single-story Foursquare cottages, Bungalows, and Period Revival cottages that were built between 19068 and 1940. Later infill construction consists of post-WWII cottages and modern ranch houses. The houses are relatively small one or one-and-a-half story single family residences that contain little exterior embellishment. Detailing, where present, is usually subtle and of Greek Revival or Victorian eclectic style. The Victorian houses are characterized by asymmetrical facades, arched brick lintels over double-hung windows, and patterned wood shingles on gable roof ends. The Bungalows and Foursquare cottages are distinguished by low, hipped rooflines and simple, rectangular footprints. The Bungalows have large porches and wide overhanging eaves. Period Revival Cottages are characterized by picturesque irregular massing and decorative exterior materials. The post-WWII cottages are identified by simple, square plans and narrow eaves over hipped roofs. The long, rectangular ranch houses follow horizontal plans with elongated facades.
Red brick is the most common building material among all housing types, though several houses are constructed of frame. Approximately ten percent of the houses (both brick and frame) have been covered with stucco. Foundations of the earliest structures are sandstone, while the later buildings contain concrete foundations. The most common roofing material is asphalt shingle, a non-original material. Almost all of the houses contain frame or brick porches, most of which maintain their original appearance. Large picture windows are present in many of the houses, especially among the Bungalows, Foursquare cottages, and ranch houses
Among all houses in the district, the Victorian houses and Bungalows along Main Street retain the highest level of integrity. Newer buildings which are found throughout the district are compatible in scale and materials with the historic structures and do not overwhelm the character of the district.
Commercial & Public Buildings
Historic commercial buildings in the Hurricane Historic District are one-part or two-part block buildings, constructed from local brick between 1911 and 1922. Like the houses, these buildings exhibit minor stylistic characteristics which are predominantly Victorian eclectic. Modestly decorative brick patterns form a common detail element on the upper story of these early structures. Many of them have been covered in stucco. Large display windows and recessed entries are also recurrent. A later commercial building is the Spanish Colonial Revival style Dixie Hotel (c. 1925) which is located at 73 South Main.
Out-of-period commercial buildings within the district are similar in scale to the historic structures but exhibit modern signage and detailing. Brick veneer and aluminum and vinyl siding are the dominant exterior materials of these post-WWII buildings.
The Hurricane Historic District includes a concentration of public institutional buildings in two blocks along 100 West, between State Street and 100 South. Most of these are red brick PWA Moderne structures that were built in the 1930’s. The 1938 Hurricane City Hall/Library (35 West State) is surrounded by a town square and outdoor pioneer park museum. Three public schools (two contributing), an out-of-period gymnasium, and playgrounds are located within this complex.
Outbuildings
A number of outbuildings, including barns, granaries, and sheds are found throughout the district. The block between 200-300 South, Main Street-100 East contains four contributing barns and two granaries, all of which probably date from the earliest years of the town’s history. Like the houses, most of the single-cell granaries are constructed of red brick, with gabled roofs. These granaries generally contain less than 200 square feet. The large frame barns are somewhat deteriorated but retain their historic integrity. Most barns contain two levels, with spaces for livestock on the main level and agricultural storage above.
Canal Building, 1893-1908
Early pioneers had occupied the region for many years before Hurricane was established. The nearby Virgin River valley, settled by Mormons in 1862, had become heavily overstocked and overgrazed by the late 19th century. Because most natural vegetation had been destroyed, spring rains and thaws created severe agricultural erosion problems for residents of the valley. Intense population growth in the 1870’s and 1880’s placed additional strain on available lands. By 1890, residents of the valley were desperate for additional agricultural property. They wanted to remain close to their families in Virgin, and looked to the Hurricane bench as a possibility for expansion. They believed the soil was highly fertile and would support crops if the land could be irrigated.
After several years of feasibility studies by various investors, an elaborate canal was built at the turn of the century. Over the first nine years of the project, few original stockholders remained. Financial difficulties troubled the enterprise, and it was near total failure in 1902. James Jepson, president of the Hurricane Canal Company, successfully lobbied officials at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church) headquarters in Salt Lake City for intervention. They invested $5,000 into the project, which provided the needed capital to complete the canal. With irrigation underway, Hurricane quickly became known by locals as “Utah’s Fruit Basket,” renowned for its abundant vineyards, fruits, and nut orchards.
When more than 100 people gathered for a rally in August of 1904 to watch water flow into their new homeland, a story was told of an 1865 incident involving Mormon church leader Erastus Snow. Snow was travelling through the area when a sudden gust of wind blew the top off of his buggy. He exclaimed, “My, that was a hurricane! We’ll call this Hurricane hill.” The people at the rally cheered and decided to name their new town “Hurricane” (pronounced “Hurricun” by locals). Ironically, the area boasts of a mild climate throughout the year.
The town was surveyed in 1896, but the first permanent structures were not built until 1906. Earlier town residents lived in tents, dugouts, or granaries while they built permanent homes; few of these early structures remain.
Early Residential Growth. 1906-1930
Although Hurricane was founded several years later than most Utah communities,6 the town follows a tradition of early Mormon settlements, utilizing the characteristic layout of carefully planned, gridded streets. Agrarian families (mostly Mormon), settled on 1.25 acre plots that were assigned to them in return for investment in the Hurricane Canal Project. The Hurricane Canal Company assigned lots and approved building activity for the town, but retained title to all property until the mid-1910’s. The earliest permanent homes were located on corners, with the central portion of the blocks reserved for gardens, outbuildings, and small livestock. A number of these early agricultural structures remain. In addition to the residential lots, each investor received 20 acres of farmland outside the town.
Early families built houses of frame or brick, in Victorian or Bungalow styles. Few buildings were fashioned with ornate embellishment. The early residents of Hurricane adopted scaled-down versions of the contemporary architectural styles in Utah. A typical Hurricane adaptation to the Victorian house appears as a simple cross-wing plan, with modest wood porch and minor trim.
Local builders were responsible for most of the initial construction in Hurricane. F.T. Ashton, Christian Christensen, Alonzo Dalton, Jesse Lemmon, and John Stout were contractors in the 1910s. Early masons included Edward Cripps, J.H. Petty, and George Worthen. Amos Workman was the town surveyor for several years during Hurricane’s original development period.
Early Commercial Growth, 1908-1920
In response to flourishing agricultural growth, rapid commercial and economic expansion swept the area in the years soon after completion of the Hurricane Canal. Visitors to the area commented in 1909, “Hurricane, that thrifty new settlement, surely has made great progress during the year in building new homes, school house, hall and planting out thousands of fruit trees and vines.” The first local brick was produced in 1908. By 1913, Hurricane was furnished with four mercantile stores, an ice supply operation, a new planing mill, and long distance telephone service. Hurricane residents could buy food, fabric, hardware, building materials, and even caskets from Petty, DeMille, and Company, who boasted of having a “fine new building…the largest mercantile in the county.” In 1914, William Petty brought a movie theater to Hurricane, which was powered by natural gas. Three hotels were in existence by 1915, all of which were operated from private homes. That same year, Bert Woodbury opened an ice cream parlor, and Petty, DeMille, and Company installed the first automobile gasoline tank in front of their store on the corner of State and Main Streets. By 1916, Hurricane had a population of 750, with “substantial stores, a public school, flour mill, and several long distance telephone connections.” The first automobile garage and service station opened in 1920, and a bank was completed in 1922. Almost all of these early businesses operated within the boundaries of the proposed Hurricane Historic District; many of these buildings still stand.
Hurricane residents received confirmation of their newfound permanent status in 1913, when Dr. H.H. Wilkinson and his wife moved to town. Prior to this, all medical services were rendered by Myra H. Lemmon, a nurse and midwife. The H.H. Wilkinson House is located at the south end of the district, at 20 East 400 South.
Public Improvement Projects
Public improvement projects accompanied residential and commercial growth in Hurricane, especially after its incorporation in 1914. In 1907, Hurricane hired two teachers. The first local post office was established (c. 1907) by J.L. and Mary Workman, and a social hall (demolished) was built in 1908. The Hurricane Canal Company announced plans for an electric generating plant in October of 1915, hoping to have the town “lit up for Christmas.” Gravel street improvements also occurred in 1915. Hurricane residents installed a drinking water system in 1918, the same year a new school building (demolished) was completed for $32,000, enthusiastically financed through a town bond issue. Public sewers were first introduced in 1930. New Deal projects of the 1930’s brought about a second wave of public building activity. A new twelve-room schoolhouse was completed in 1935, and a city hall/library was built in 1938.
Characterized by a single road leading into and out of town, Hurricane was known as the “dead end street town” by residents of surrounding communities for many years. Hurricane residents, however, saw the potential economic value they could generate through tourism if a strategic highway was built that placed Hurricane on the major thoroughfare between the city of St. George, Zion National Park, and the Grand Canyon. For many years, town residents fervently petitioned the Utah State Legislature to build such a road. This request was finally honored as a Utah Works Progress Administration project in 1937, when a road was completed that linked Hurricane to the surrounding area. Since the completion of this road, consistent growth has occurred in the area surrounding the Hurricane Historic District. Today, Hurricane is experiencing intense growth pressure due to its proximity to St. George, one of the fastest growing communities in Utah. The area attracts retirees and others who are drawn to the mild climate and affordable cost of living. Current residents who are employed generally work in nearby St. George.
The Hurricane Historic District is an important historical resource because it represents the settlement and development of Hurricane, Utah. The district is locally significant because the buildings reflect the architectural and historical development of the town. The residences, commercial buildings, institutional structures, and outbuildings within the district provide a complete representation of a wide range of architectural styles and plans popular in the local region between 1900-1940.
