Since tomorrow is the 90th anniversary of Utah’s Jan. 4. 1896 entry into the Union as the 45th state, let’s reflect on the little-known story of a giant-sized American Flag made for the statehood celebration. The impressive emblem – 78 by 160 feet with six-foot-wide stripes – was claimed to be “the largest flag ever… Continue reading Great Utah Statehood Flag Waves Forever in the Heart
Category: Utah History
Mount Charming by Any Name
Let’s take a few minutes to get better acquainted with a storied and many-named mountain, part of the Wasatch Range which rims Utah Valley. I refer to the green, forested landmark mountain fronting the valley between Maple and Spanish Fork Canyons, easterly from cities of Mapleton and Spanish Fork. Father Escalante named it Sierra Bonita (mountain beautiful)… Continue reading Mount Charming by Any Name
Glory of Timpanogos Hikes
What poet, artist or photographer can live in Central Utah very long without turning his or her talents to Mt. Timpanogos? And what admirer of the mountain isn’t uplifted by driving its scenic routes, hiking its trails, living within its shadow or just gazing at the lofty peaks? With all of Timp’s magnetic charm, however,… Continue reading Glory of Timpanogos Hikes
Families of 6 Men Missing in Action Continue Long Wait For Word
Utah County shares one of the touching stories of the Vietnam War – the sacrifice and long wait of families of men “missing in action.” Families of six missing Air Force and Marine Corps men reside here. Two of the men are missing in North Vietnam, two in South Vietnam, and two in Laos. None… Continue reading Families of 6 Men Missing in Action Continue Long Wait For Word
Local Residents Recall Aviatrix
Our column on Amelia Earhart prompted a call from veteran Provo aviator Mike Jense with this interesting tid-bit of local history: The famed American aviatrix once force-landed her small plane near Eureka and spent a week in that Central Utah city during the wait for repairs. As we searched out the facts, partly though old… Continue reading Local Residents Recall Aviatrix
At Four Corners – Needed: Visitor Center, Park
The desolate Four Corners – point where corners of four states come together – is a popular spot during the tourist season. So popular, in fact, that there’s a definite need for a visitors center and park – a place where persons can find shade and refreshment after the long (and sometimes hot) drive to the… Continue reading At Four Corners – Needed: Visitor Center, Park
Provo Peak Vista, From Orem
The mountains rimming Utah Valley are especially beautiful in this season of the year, capped or brocaded with snow that glistens in the sun. Lone Peak, Timpanogos, Cascade … the string of peaks between Squaw Mountain and Springville … Sierra Bonita (also known as Mt. Flonette and Mapleton Mountain) … Loafer, Nebo at a distance, and… Continue reading Provo Peak Vista, From Orem
Changing Utah’s State Song
Our state song, “Utah, We Love Thee,” may have its inadequacies but are these sufficient to warrant displacing it as an official state symbol after all these years? Gov. Scott Matheson “occasionally has suggested,” according to a news story, “that somebody ought to come up with a more modern replacement.” Now, Dr. Steven R. Mecham,… Continue reading Changing Utah’s State Song
Time for Flood Insurance
This could be the last call for flood insurance. With weekend temperatures predicted to be in the 70s and the start of next week in the 80s, runoff time is really here. With so much warning that there is likely to be serious problems with this year’s runoff, no one could be excused for not buying… Continue reading Time for Flood Insurance
Provo Settlers Once Started to Build Walled Enclosure For Protection Against Indians
Did you know that the pioneer settlers of Provo once started to build a 12-foot mud wall around a section of the city for protection against the Indians? The walling project – never completed – began in the spring of 1854 during intermittent Indian troubles associated with the “Walker War,” named for a hostile Ute… Continue reading Provo Settlers Once Started to Build Walled Enclosure For Protection Against Indians