Provo

9780738584676

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Provo is one of Utah's oldest historic sites. Still a medium-sized town, it has kept its pristine antique quality, its quaint buildings, and its relaxed atmosphere, which won it the title "Most Stressless City of the Nation" according to the 2004 Sperling list. Building on faith, dedication, and hard work, early citizens faced settlement challenges to form a sensible government, establish Brigham Young University, and generate devoted intellectuals who made great strides in their fields. It is Provo people who began WordPerfect, helped invent television, and established Novell, NuSkin, and other national companies. Boasting a picturesque collection of buildings, Provo still maintains high standards, a strong work ethic, and a profound commitment toward industrial progress and technology.

American Polygamy

9781467137522

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Today’s Fundamentalist Mormons in the American West resist assimilation like their forefathers. Centered on faith, they survive despite efforts to permanently end their cherished plural family arrangements. While some Fundamentalists like Warren Jeffs go rogue and corrupt their beliefs in heinous crimes, most hold steadfastly to a religion they say is biblical and restored by the first Latter-day Saint prophet, Joseph Smith, in the early 1800s. Mormon historians Craig Foster and Marianne Watson present more than two hundred photos and exclusive insights to explain how an estimated thirty thousand Fundamentalist Mormons still venerate a much-debated legacy—despite its difficult challenges—and persist in living plural marriage.

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Murray

9781467133227

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A community of scattered homesteads had its first encounter with industry in the 1870s when smelters were established near the railroad. Later, with a burgeoning business district and hundreds of immigrant workers arriving each year, the citizens of Murray pushed for incorporation, which was granted in 1903. In the first half of the 20th century, the industrial town was one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Utah. Murray City was hailed as an example of an independent municipality with its own power plant, waterworks, school district, and so on. The commercial core was surrounded by dairies, poultry ranches, and truck farms. Murray was one of the first cities in Salt Lake County to experience a postwar suburban boom in the 1950s and continues to thrive today as more than just a bedroom community.

Haunted Salt Lake City

9781467138246

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Uncovering ghost stories in Salt Lake City leads to a spooky mixture of legend, lore and local history. A young female apparition likes to surprise guests of the McCune Mansion by leaping from a mirror. Believed to be stationed at Fort Douglas, a Civil War vet named Clem still teases female visitors. Staff at the historic Devereaux Mansion, once a major social center, relented in their vain nightly attempts to keep the lights off and let the spirits continue their eternal party. And nuns of the Sisters of the Holy Cross still visit patients in the hospital they established. The guides of Story Tours' Salt Lake City Ghost Tour reveal characters who just can't seem to leave the valley.

Cover image for Haunted Salt Lake City, isbn: 9781467138246

Tooele Valley Railroad

9781467130264

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Shortly after the International Smelter offered economic salvation to Tooele's struggling desert community, the Tooele Valley Railroad became the town artery. Though originally built in 1908 to connect the smelter to the Union Pacific and Western Pacific lines west of town, the railroad became central to daily life. Hundreds of local workers rode it to and from work each day. As technology continued to change Tooele, the Tooele Valley Railroad shared Vine Street with the first automobiles--safety precautions required that the caboose, with a horn mounted to warn motorists, lead the oncoming train. However, the smelter's decades of prosperity proved short-lived, and by the 1930s, the town had fallen on difficult times once again. The railroad outlived the smelter, but operations ceased in the early 1980s, and the city had the abandoned tracks removed.

Early San Juan County

9780738556499

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San Juan County was established in 1880 following the famous winter trek and steep descent through the Hole-in-the-Rock Trail to Bluff, Utah. Behind the settlement of this community by the San Juan River is a story of tenacity, determination, and hardship. The Hole-in-the-Rock was a sandstone crevice discovered fortuitously by pioneers when a wild ram escaped its pursuers and descended to the river by that route. After blasting, building up the grade, and lowering by ropes, the wagon train finally emerged through the crevice to the river below and finished the last difficult miles into Bluff. Miner and photographer Charles Goodman documented the early days of San Juan County, from the production of bricks and molasses to the establishment of Bluff Oil Company, and many of his unique images, dating from 1892 to 1913, are included in this volume.

North Ogden

9780738584607

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North Ogden is a quiet community nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. The majestic Ben Lomond Peak silently towers over the city to the north with Lewis Peak standing guard to the east. Beautiful panoramic scenery is enjoyed in all directions. During the early 19th century, the city and surrounding areas were inhabited by the Spanish and Native Americans and explored by trappers. North Ogden City was established in 1851, and the challenges facing the pioneer families were numerous. Settlers encountered hostile Native Americans, hungry wild animals, devastating grasshopper invasions, and extreme weather conditions, and the food supplies were often depleted. Regardless, the city's population thrived, and farms, orchards, and businesses prospered. The perseverance of those early settlers is linked to the rich heritage treasured by the citizens of today.

Mapleton

9781467132695

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Located south of Provo and artistic Springville, Mapleton was named in 1901 for its abundance of colorful maple trees. For centuries, American Indian tribes had regarded the bench overlooking Hobble Creek and the valley below as sacred ground and gathered there annually. Catholic explorers hiking down Spanish Fork Canyon, nestled beneath a majestic mountain, first mapped the area in 1776. These Spaniards named the peak Sierra Bonita, though nearly everyone today calls it Maple Mountain. By 1850, Mormon pioneers had settled in Springville, using the rich earth between the creek and the river as farmland. Little by little, they built homes and stayed. The continued perseverance of this community to maintain its country charm is evident throughout the city. Conservation of the foothills and open spaces is an ongoing concern to residents.

Utah Sport Climbing

9781467119092

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Not much drives passionate debate in Utah more than public land use. And sport climbing is securely tethered to that controversy as more thrill-seekers gear up each year to ascend the state's geological wonders. From the bolt wars in Moab to the frenzied route development in American Fork Canyon, Utah remains central in the evolution of the sport. With over sixty interviews and a healthy dose of humor, climber and author Darren M. Edwards tracks the spirit, ethos and feats of bolters who have led the way since the 1980s.

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A Treasury of Latter-Day Saint Letters

9781625858993

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What did David O. McKay say about the theory of evolution, or George Albert Smith about Saints thinking for themselves? Why did Relief Society president Eliza R. Snow and others write a heartfelt letter of appreciation to the governor of the Utah territory? With fifteen new letters, this revised edition of A Treasury of Latter-day Saint Letters answers these and other intriguing questions through the words of early Church figures, from apostles to Joseph Smith's relatives. Historian Larry Morris, formerly with the Ensign and the Joseph Smith Papers, explains the historical context of each epistle and presents the text of the letter itself. Preserving the exact words and spelling of the writer, this inspiring and thought-provoking volume offers a glimpse into the personal lives and candid feelings of a host of prominent Church members--a rare view not often seen from the pulpit or in history books.

Dr. Martha Cannon of Utah

9781467155076

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Women Writing the West 2024 WILLA Award for Creative Nonfiction

Prudery, Polygamy and Politics

Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon was no hands-on-the-plow pioneer. She was no stereotypical polygamous wife. Nor was she a prim lady who blushed at the word “legs.” Victorian Mormons were proud to lead the way in empowering women. “Verily the world progresseth,” exclaimed the Deseret Evening News on March 17, 1869, celebrating a Congressional bill to give Utah women the vote. But the federal intention to have female suffrage in Utah destroy polygamy failed. The 1882 Edmunds Act made “cohabitation” a felony. To protect her polygamous husband, she fled to England with their infant daughter. Upon her return, she reestablished her medical practice and opened Utah’s first training school for nurses. Nominated by local Democrats, Mattie ran against her husband for state senate in 1896 – beating him by four thousand votes. Author Joan Jacobson chronicles an extraordinary life remarkably relevant for today.

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Salt Lake City Cemetery

9781467129466

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The Salt Lake City Cemetery was established in September 1847 when George Wallace, who arrived with the first company of Mormon pioneers two months prior, buried his young daughter on a picturesque hillside above the Salt Lake Valley. It has since grown to become the largest municipal cemetery in the United States, containing approximately 130,000 gravesites. To walk through the Salt Lake City Cemetery's 120 acres is to trace a path through Utah history and experience a mosaic of the diverse and fascinating individuals who have shaped it: politicians, pioneers, artists, inventors, outlaws, educators, activists, and currently 12 presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This book highlights these influential figures and many more. It also serves as a guide for navigating the cemetery grounds in person, with grave locations accompanying most captions.

Cover image for Salt Lake City Cemetery, isbn: 9781467129466

On Fly-Fishing the Bear River Watershed

9781467149099

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The Bear River rises in the high Uinta Mountains and flows through Wyoming, Idaho and Utah before emptying into the Great Salt Lake. Within the watershed are scores of secluded trout streams, dozens of reservoirs and one of North America's largest populations of native cutthroat trout. Angler and author Chadd VanZanten offers a compelling portrait of the most extraordinary fly-fishing destinations you've never heard of. It's also a story of embattled but resilient ecosystems, warring factions of the American West, a dash of San Francisco counterculture, cataclysmic upheavals of the planet itself and, of course, pursuing big, elusive trout.

South Davis County

9781467131636

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South Davis County is bounded by the majestic Wasatch Mountain Range to the east and the Great Salt Lake to the west. Bountiful, Centerville, Farmington, and Kaysville are the major population centers--all originating as early Mormon settlements. Concerned that their livestock might harm new crops and gardens being planted in Salt Lake City, their leader, Brigham Young, sent herds of cattle, mules, and horses north to graze along the lakeshore in 1847. Small farming communities established the following spring supplied goods and produce to the growing populations of Salt Lake City to Ogden. Organized as Davis County in 1850, Farmington was the center of government. Railroad service, established in 1870, allowed the farmers and ranchers to reach markets within hours of harvesting. And in 1956, a six-foot pipeline was completed, delivering water from the Weber River to the communities along the front. Rapid expansion has resulted, but the pioneer spirit still prevails.

Ashley Valley

9780738585079

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Situated within northeastern Utah's mountainous Uinta Basin, the Ashley Valley takes its name from William Ashley, a trapper who passed through the area in 1825. Both beautiful and rugged, the Ashley Valley's landscape required a lot of grit from its first settlers. An early expedition party sent out by territorial governor Brigham Young called the area unfit for settlement. This delayed permanent American settlement until 1876, when a few hardy families formed communities in the area, including Ashley, Vernal, Maeser, Dry Fork, Glines, Naples, Davis, and Jensen. The valley was rich in minerals and oil and saw its share of boom-and-bust cycles, as miners and oil-workers struck out to find fortune and left facing government regulations. The Ashley Valley pioneers were a stalwart, hardworking mix of settlers, farmers, miners, and other hardy folk who left a rich legacy. Today, as visitors come over the valley hill, they will encounter a community with a developing oil and gas industry, modern growth, and traditional small-town appeal.

Utah Women

9781467142427

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Representing lawmakers and lawbreakers, artists and adventurers or scholars and activists, the women of Utah defied stereotypes.

At the crossroads of the West, they found new challenges and opportunities to forge their own paths. Emma Dean explored the Rocky Mountains with her famous spouse, John Wesley Powell. Martha Hughes Cannon defeated her husband to become the first female state senator. Maud Fitch drove an ambulance under German artillery fire to rescue downed pilots in World War I.

Author Emily Brooksby Wheeler celebrates the remarkable Utah women who, whether racing into danger or nurturing those who fell behind, changed their world and ours.

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West Valley City

9780738595412

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In the fall of 1848, Joseph and Susanna Harker became the first pioneers "Over Jordan" as they crossed to the west side seeking a new home in the valley. Other families soon followed, and by the 1880s, canals brought irrigation water, allowing farming settlements to spread out toward the Oquirrh Mountains. The agrarian communities of Hunter, Granger, Redwood, and Chesterfield began to take shape. The decades after World War II saw enormous growth, new neighborhoods, and the Valley Fair Mall. When the area finally incorporated as West Valley City in 1980, it was immediately one of Utah's largest cities. The city has seen remarkable progress in its first three decades, including being a venue city for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and emerging as Utah's most ethnically diverse city.

Ruby's Inn at Bryce Canyon

9780738599953

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In the spring of 1916, Ruby and Minnie Syrett packed up their children and belongings and traveled to their new homestead at the gateway of what would one day become Bryce Canyon National Park. In the early 20th century, Southern Utah was still pioneer country. Hardy descendants of Mormon converts worked to tame the land and create productive farms. Little time was left to marvel at the scenery that surrounded their small communities. By 1919, the Syretts found themselves providing food and lodging for visitors who had learned of the canyon's scenic wonder. A tourist lodge was constructed and opened in the spring of 1920. By 1923, Bryce's Canyon was well known throughout the country and was proclaimed a national monument. From the beginning, Ruby and Minnie were committed to providing the very best in heartfelt Western hospitality. This small community continues to provide the facilities and amenities required to take care of the 1.5 million annual visitors from around the world who come to enjoy Bryce Canyon National Park.

Historic Tales of Utah

9781467135559

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From the rugged beauty and refined splendor of this vast state emerges a remarkable volume of personal recollections, narrative histories and astonishing stories. Explore the fortitude and cultural diversity behind the development of Utah through Big Bill Haywood, vilified by the New York Times as the most feared figure in America. Experience compelling accounts of women bruised on the front lines of suffrage battles, enthralling stories of Chinese paper sons and daughters and heroic endeavors of Northern Ute firefighters. Celebrate downtown's Wall Street of the West, the off-road cyclist known as the Bedouin of the Desert and Utah's love affair with sweets. Culled from her popular Salt Lake Tribune Living History column, award-winning author Eileen Hallet Stone uncovers captivating tales of ordinary people and their extraordinary contributions that shaped Utah history.

Cover image for Historic Tales of Utah, isbn: 9781467135559

On Fly-Fishing the Northern Rockies

9781467118019

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Anyone would be hard-pressed to find a pastime more emblematic of the western spirit than fly-fishing. Liberating, poetic, wild, soothing and inspiring, it pushes the boundaries of the mind. In essays ranging from introspective to ironic, angler authors Chadd VanZanten and Russ Beck distill the purest truths of fly-fishing into essential, often humorous rules of thumb. With kernels like always tell the truth sometimes and all the fish are underwater, wade into the blue ribbon waters of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah to reflect metaphysically on these lines of practical wisdom.

Cover image for On Fly-Fishing the Northern Rockies, isbn: 9781467118019

Lost Ogden

9781467133395

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From a fur-trapping fort to a thriving metropolitan community, change has always been a part of Ogden's history. Settled in 1850 by Mormon pioneers, Ogden was forever transformed by the arrival of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. As horse-drawn carriages gave way to motor cars, a busy downtown district grew up around Ogden's Union Station and notorious Twenty-fifth Street. Landmark businesses, such as J.G. Read & Brothers Company and the Broom Hotel, became a part of the city's unique identity. Also unique to the city were its celebrations and special events, like parades, musicals, and sporting competitions. While change has always come to Ogden, the memories remain.

South Ogden

9780738585307

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The area now known as South Ogden, Utah, was previously called Burch Creek. The first settlers were primarily immigrants, originally from the eastern United States or Europe, who came to settle Utah with the Mormon migration. These first residents included the Burchs from Kentucky, the Stephens from North Carolina, the Garners from Germany, and the Beus and Combes from Italy. On July 6, 1936, the 800 residents voted to incorporate the area into a city. The city now has more than 16,000 residents, and areas that once were farms, dirt roads, open fields, cattails, and springs are now homes, businesses, schools, parks, and churches. South Ogden has earned its reputation as a great place to grow up, a fine place to raise a family, and a safe and peaceful place to live out retirement years.

Utah Reflections

9781626193406

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Perhaps no other area of Utah reflects the state's expansive diversity as clearly as the Wasatch Front. Utah Reflections: Stories from the Wasatch Front captures the heritage and identity of this self-defining part of the state. These personal stories are grounded in the mountains, waters, deserts and cities of a distinctive geography, from Cache Valley to Salt Lake City to Provo. Contributors include Lance Larson, Katharine Coles, Phyllis Barber, Sylvia Torti, Chadd VanZanten, Pam Houston and Terry Tempest Williams, as well as other exciting established and new voices. Each piece was thoughtfully selected as part of a sweeping panorama of cultural history and the traditions of a people bound to the region to show what makes the Wasatch Front unique, prosperous and beloved.

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Weber State University

9781467116800

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Nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, Weber State University has been serving the Greater Weber and Davis County communities for over 125 years. On January 7, 1889, Weber Stake Academy opened its doors for the first time to approximately 100 students. The academy continued to grow and develop through five name changes and several relocations. Throughout this time, the institution survived many financial and political struggles. Today, the university has increased in size to accommodate over 26,000 students. This pictorial history was put together in commemoration of Weber's 125th anniversary, and it provides a compelling look into the struggles and ultimate survival of a historic academic institution.

The Ghostly Tales of Salt Lake City

9781467198233

$12.99 $9.74 Save 25%

Ghost stories from SLC have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

The haunted history of Salt Lake City comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Crash a party at the Devereaux Mansion—thrown by the ghosts. Or sense the paranormal vibes in the kitchen of Whiskey Street Cocktails and Dining. Have you heard about Girl Scout troop that was haunted by a mysterious apparition while touring the Fort Douglas Military Museum? Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

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Orem

9780738578828

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In 1861, a group of hardy pioneers ascended the "Provo Bench" that overlooks Utah Lake. With dreams of fruit orchards and vegetable fields, they uprooted the sagebrush, dug irrigation canals, and planted crops. These farms were successful, and they helped transform Orem into a dynamic community by the time the railroad arrived. The produce was boxed and shipped across Utah on the Orem Line, and the Provo/Orem area earned the nickname "Garden City of Utah." Incorporated in 1919, Orem was transformed again during World War II when the U.S. government constructed Geneva Steel Mill on the shores of Utah Lake. Blue collar workers joined farmers and ranchers in building a city. Orem supports higher education and is home to Utah Valley University. Although malls and subdivisions have replaced many of the orchards and the steel mill has closed, Orem remains rooted in its past while growing towards its future.