Communities

Parowan-Southern Utah's Original Settlement

Settled January 13, 1851, Parowan is southern Utah’s oldest community.  Many of the original Parowan settlers went on to establish other areas of the west, including Cedar City, St. George and Las Vegas, NV.  That’s why Parowan is affectionately called the “Mother Town of the West”. 

Parowan is the county seat for Iron County and prides itself on blending a rich historical past with present day small town hospitality. Parowan’s unique atmosphere feels like it’s straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.  From its beautiful tree lined neighborhoods, to its old fashioned Main Street and its lack of traffic lights (no need), Parowan is a little piece of “Sweet Americana”.

Parowan is surrounded by some of Southern Utah’s most spectacular scenery and is the year round gateway to Brian Head Resort, Yankee Meadow and Cedar Breaks National Monument.  Parowan also offers a variety of outdoor recreation facilities to satisfy many outdoor enthusiasts including an equestrian center, racetrack, rodeo arena, plus several parks and a urban fishery.

Parowan has an abundance of heritage sites that reflect it’s rich historical past, including adobe and log homes, the oldest church building in southern Utah, plus an early prairie style church building designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright’s, and a rock walled cemetery that contains a collection of head stone art crafted by early stone masons.  The center of town has over 18 points of historical interest.

Parowan is also host to many fun events throughout the year like the Iron County Fair, Fall Fest, Christmas in the Country,  Parowan Fly-In Pancake Breakfast, Glider Competitions, and an old time Movie Fest.

Parowan History
It is impossible to say just when the settlement of Parowan actually began. Undoubtedly it was settled centuries ago by Native American Tribes. Native American civilization is evidenced by the many sites containing petroglpyhs in the area. Others came also.  In 1776, while the continental Congress was deliberating American independence in Philadelphia, Spanish Father’s Escalante and Dominguez were exploring this area.

But the settlement that exists here today is traceable and well documented. In 1847 Brigham Young and his followers entered the Salt Lake valley which was then Mexican Territory. Young was the leader of the Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) and considered a prophet by members of the church. He announced that they had reached the place they were seeking as a refuge from the persecutions they experienced in states like New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa.

Almost immediately scouting parties were sent to find places to relocate the masses of people coming across the plains. In 1849 Parley P. Pratt, a Mormon Apostle, was sent to the south. He camped at Parowan and erected a flag pole which still stands there today. He found water, game, and plenty of room to grow the crops necessary to sustain a settlement.

On January 13, 1851 a settlement party led by Apostle George A. Smith settled Parowan. Within one week the necessary governmental officers were elected in what was now United. The area was rich with resources: water, timber and Iron. What was first called "The City of the Little Salt Lake" was renamed Parowan, a Native American word meaning "evil water."

Parowan received its unusual name because of a local Paiute legend.  According to the legend told to William Palmer, one day the tribe was camped along the banks of the Little Salt Lake grinding corn for their meal.  A wind storm crossed the lake causing a large water monster to arise from the lake.  The waters rushed far onto the shore allowing the monster to grab one of the maidens and carry her back into the lake where she was never seen again.

As southern Utah's Mother Town, Parowan would become the seat of Iron County. Soon homes were begun and a church was started. The original church still stands in the very center of the town square. Many of the era's adobe structures are still in use.

On January 13, 1996,  a Heritage Park was dedicated by LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinkley. The park is on the southern most end of the community's Main Street and is overshadowed by Pratt's flag pole. The park, funded primarily by private donations, depicts the rich heritage of the community.

Parowan has a rich heritage but it is not a community trying to remain in the past. The city boasts its own municipal power system and excellent utility distribution system.

Tourism is an important economic engine to the community. Parowan is centrally and conveniently located near Brian Head Ski Area, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument and various other spots of national and local interest. The community has an affinity for theater and the arts and meshes that fancy with a self sustaining, pioneer spirit.

Community Links
Parowan Visitor Center
73 N. Main
Parowan, Ut 84761
435-477-8190
www.parowan.org

Iron County Government Offices
68 S. 100 East
PO Box 429
Parowan, UT 84761
(435) 477-8341
www.ironcounty.net