Our office is still in the renovating process, but hopefully it will be finished soon and we will be open for you to come and research or browse. We would love to see everyone interested in Springville’s history.

I elected to do a little research pertaining to the first 10 years in the 1900s, and it was very interesting. I refered to “The History of Springville” written by Mary Chase Finley for some tidbits, and I am amazed at the progress that was made in 50 years from the first arrival of the pioneers in 1850 to 1900.

Some of the things I noted were: The efficient blacksmith shop of Gomer W. Phillips, up-to-date stables operated by D.P. Brinton and Melvin Chase, and one by Erastus Thorn. (The Thorn stable has been mentioned many times in past articles.) The well-stocked hardware and implement shop of Evans P. Brinton, the bookstore of J.N. Pexton with soda fountain and ice cream parlor, (was that a forerunner of Borders?) the Springville Drug Store managed by T.R. Kelly with D. R. Wightman, registered pharmacist; the Wainwright Bakery, Caffrey and Davis Furniture store, Whitmore Meat Market, and M.F. Miner Grocery and Meat Market.

There were other businesses in town also, the H.T. Reynolds store, Deal Brothers and Mendenhall, Wood Mercantile Company and Packard’s store.

There were also hotels, the Boyer Hotel on 300 S. and 100 West, the Manitou Hotel on 200 South and 100 West and the Harrison Hotel at 245 S. Main.

Walter Wheeler maintained an undertaking establishment and imported all kinds of wood and metal caskets. (This prominent business is still in operation after four generations.) A.H. Child operated a monument shop. He learned the trade from his father, Thomas Child, one of the early stone cutters of Springville. There was also the Art Studio of George Edward Anderson, who photographed people all over the state, turning out exceptional pictures.

In 1902, the Springville Telephone Exchange, the second in Utah County, opened with four residences and six businesses as customers. The office was established on the second floor of the Miner Building on Main Street.

In 1903, water for irrigation purposes was furnished by Hobble Creek and Spring Creek. Also about this time, several artesian wells were dug with pipes down to about 125 to 200 feet. This water was also used for domestic purposes. (Some wells are still located on 400 North.)

At a cost of around $40,000, the City of Springville installed its’ own electric light and power plant at the mouth of Hobble Creek Canyon. The City Hall and the H.T. Reynolds Ballroom were the first buildings in the city to be lit. In addition to illuminating homes and businesses, 112 lights were placed on public streets and some motor power was supplied. (There have been several expansions made since then to this plant.)

During the first decade of the 1900s, there were four denominations of churches in Springville, five LDS buildings, the largest being the White Meeting House, was located where the present fire and police station is; the First Ward, located on 400 East and 800 South; the Second Ward, located at 450 S. Main (recently taken down after a fire); the Third Ward, located at 50 N. Main; and the Fourth Ward, located at 355 E. Center. The Presbyterian Church, located at 245 S. 200 East, is still in operation today. The Baptists owned a church on 300 South between 100 and 200 East, and the Episcopalians owned a church on Main and 400 South. Due to limited membership, the last two churches could not be sustained.

In 1909, the very first four-year public high school was housed in a new building erected at 128 E. 400 South, the first of its’ kind in Utah County. Some classes were taught in other schools as they progressed to the four-year high school, but there was no gymnasium, no laboratories and no shops prior to the new building. Straight academics.

With the new building, up-to-date science and home economics laboratories, library, music room and an auditorium with a platform were all included. Shop classes were held in the old Elder’s Hall, and basketball was held in the basement of the opera house.

L.E. Eggertson, principal of Springville schools, taught the first public high school class in this city.

Mrs. Viola Roylance opened her new, spacious home to the public to view a special exhibit of the paintings of Springville’s noted artist, John Hafen, The exhibit was sponsored by the women’s clubs of the city, and the artist offered pictures for sale at 50 percent under the usual price. This could have been the beginning of the art movement in Springville.

In 1910, the natural resources and abundance of warm spring water brought the State Fish and Game to the north limits of the city, where the first fish hatchery was built on Spring Creek. Hundreds of thousands of fish have since been hatched in this community.

The first 10 years of the new century in Springville saw a great boom in capitalistic enterprise and expanded growth as new citizens arrived to make this their home. Dreams were dreamed and new vistas met. Springville has come a long way since 1850.

The Springville Historical Society Lecture Series will begin Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Springville Museum of Art in the downstairs conference center. Enter the building from the east side. There is plenty of parking.

The speakers will be Ron Hood, assistant state archeologist; and Robert Carter, historian; who will speak to the subject of the “Walker Indian War and Excavation Findings in Nephi.” Mark your calendars and please bring your friends and neighbors. Let’s fill the room!