Communities
Cedar City-Festival City USA
Cedar City, Utah has earned the distinction of being Festival City, USA due to the incredible theatrical and cultural offerings, like the Utah Shakespearean Festival, Neil Simon Festival, American Children’s Christmas Festival and the Cedar City Livestock Fest. Cedar City has recently selected by Where To Retire Magazine as one of their “Top Five Places To Retire” (Jan. 2007). In Cedar City you will discover a unique small city complete with world-renowned theatricals, astounding beauty, and unbelievable outdoor recreation. Festival City USA is located 2 1/2 hours north of Las Vegas and 3 1/2 hours south of Salt Lake City on Interstate 15.
A community surrounded by National Parks, Cedar City offers visitors, friends and residents the opportunity to experience a wealth of variety. One can enjoy the Tony Award Winning Utah Shakespearean Festival in the summer and fall, or ride the fresh powder of Brian Head Ski Resort during the winter months. The Iron Mission State Park Museum is open year-round in the heart of Cedar City. The Heritage Center presents an assortment of plays, symphonies, ballets, art shows and multitude of cultural events and entertainment.
Because of its business friendly environment, Cedar City is home to several national industrial and manufacturing businesses. From major corporations to solitary enterprise, businesses large and small have found success in Cedar's economy.
Enjoy golfing along the red sand stone hills at the Cedar Ridge Golf Course join the family of athletes that participate in the Utah Summer Games or visit one of the many attractions in scenic southern Utah For the outdoor enthusiast, whether it's rock climbing, mountain biking, or snowboarding, the opportunities are endless.
Cedar City is home to Southern Utah University (www.suu.edu), a state university with over 7,000 students, which serves as an important center for advanced learning and public service. The University hosts numerous plays, lectures, operas and musicals, as well as NCAA Division I athletic events.
Founded in 1851, Cedar City is a very energetic and cultured city that values education and progress--and festivals year-round!
Cedar City History
When iron deposits were found in southern Utah, Mormon leader, Brigham Young called for volunteers to colonize the Iron Mission Area. A site near Coal Creek was selected in November 1851 for the Iron Works. Originally called Little Muddy, then Coal Creek, Cedar City was named for the “cedar” trees in the area, though these trees are actually juniper trees. Ten months after site selection, the new colony completed a small blast furnace and began to operate the iron foundry. It was the first iron to be manufactured west of Missouri. Because of problems with the furnace, flood and hostility between settlers and Native Americans, the foundry closed in 1858. Unlike many small mining towns of that era, Cedar City continued to grow and prosper. Residents turned to farming and agriculture for economic well being. Mining efforts began again to help provide much needed ore during WWII and continued until the 1980's.
Butch Cassidy's Hideout
In 1866 Robert LeRoy Parker (later known as Butch Cassidy) was born in a neighboring community. He often returned to southern Utah to hide out or ranch throughout his years as a notorious rustler and gunfighter. Robbers Roost, a gang hang out in Southwest Utah was a popular hideout because of its rough terrain. Although theories of Butch Cassidy's death vary, it is rumored that Butch Cassidy is buried in an unmarked grave in Parowan, Utah.
Determination for Education
In 1897, the people of Cedar City learned that the Utah Legislature had authorized a school for higher learning in southern Utah. The community labored to construct the Ward Hall; however, after being in session only two months, the attorney general stated that the school had to have its own building on land deeded to the state. He said if the building was not erected by the following September, the school would be lost. At that point winter had set in and building materials were nonexistent. The residents of Cedar City were unencumbered as they planned to make the trek up the mountain to secure the necessary logs for the building.
For days the team of wagons waded through one of the worst mountain snowstorms ever to hit southern Utah. The snow was often shoulder-deep as the men pushed their way up the mountain toward the lumber mills. They slept in holes scraped out of the snow. After reaching the sawmill and gathering the necessary lumber, the men were discouraged with the realization that they now had to turn back. The wagons that could not make it were abandoned. Tired and frozen, the party felt they could go no further. It was then that an old sorrel horse proved invaluable. Placed out at the front of the party, the horse would walk steadily into the drifts, pushing against the snow, throwing him self into the drifts again and again until they gave way. When he paused to rest, he sat on his haunches the way a dog would. Then onward he would push. "Old Sorrel" was credited with being the savior of the expedition. In the fall of 1898 the building was complete. The people of Cedar City had persevered and finished the building known today as Old Main. A statue of Old Sorrel also stands as a monument to the dedication of a people and their commitment to education.
In 1913, the college became a branch of Utah State Agricultural College of Logan. In 1968, the legislature transformed it into a 4-year college of liberal arts and science with elementary and secondary teacher education programs. On January 1, 1991, it attained university status. In addition to being an educational haven, Southern Utah University is also the home of the world renowned Utah Shakespearean Festival and The Utah Summer Games. Both of these events bring increasing numbers of tourists to this thriving community every year.
The Railroad is Here!
The Union Pacific Railroad Company reached Cedar City in 1923. This contributed greatly to Cedar City's growth in mining and agriculture, providing an outlet for the products of the iron mines as well as produce. The railroad exposed Utah's National Parks to the world of tourism and Cedar City was dubbed "the gateway to the parks." Though the Depot was closed in 1959, the railroad still comes through Cedar City and transports products in and out of the community.
A very detailed and interesting history of Cedar City and Iron County can be found in the book “ Community Above Self, A History of Iron County”, written by Janet Burton Seegmiller. Copies area available at the Iron County Visitor Center, 581 N. Main, Cedar City 435-586-5124.
Community Links
Cedar City Corporation
10 N. Main
Cedar City, Ut 84720
435-586-2950
www.cedarcity.org
Cedar City & Brian Head Tourism Bureau
581 N. Main
Cedar City, Ut 84720
435-586-5124
Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce
581 N. Main
Cedar City, Ut 84720
4435-586-4484
www.cedarcitychamber.com
Southern Utah University
351 W. University Blvd.
Cedar City, Ut 84720
435-586-7800
www.suu.edu