Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-12-19
N the west side of the sunny
SEWER valley lies Richfield

the metropolis of the South,
on a beautiful slope running
a. The river, WIN streets Iii ct and
.rinped with beautiful trees. 1t pre-
sents a splendid appearance to tho
owe Of the traveller
The history OF Rlchfield has been
one of hardship and struggle Far
rack IN 1864, the present site Of the
.itv was most forbidding to the
,,oneers who first drove their oxen
TITO the valley. Hostile savages roam
o1 everywhere, frightening the weary
eatt,er. President Brigham Young
,ytth his well known foresight, saw
nc advantages witt, which the valley
os nroyidcd; and he advised some or
The pioneers Of Sanpetc valley to SO to
the valley of the Sewer. Nelson Heg-
Gins. Andrew Powlsen, James Glen,
George ogilvic, Hans Q Hansen =.
n Hansen, Albert Lewis, Judge Smith
and August Nielsen were the men who
rcsuonded 10 the call and set up their
cabins in the new region, strong
sturdy pioneers, with the spirit Of the
newly discovered West burning With
in them, they commenced the work
ne Wrestling the wealth from the SOL,
which happily was awaiting them.
During the years 1866 and lsoo
the Indians became troublesome ana
thc settlers withdrew into northern
sanpetc; but by 1859 conditions were
.,ch that they were able to return
with safety.
In 1874 the valley had become so
vol, settled that in Richfield there
we're over hundred families,
FIRST IRRIGATION CANAL.
An. or the first things the early
settlers did was to construct canal,
tho ditch reaching completion in 1862
lust a year before the pioneers had
to abandon their home on account or
the Indians N. NJ. Peterson was the
surveyor of the project his only IN
strument consisting Of tin pipe ana
two bottles partly filled with water,
William Anderson Is credited win
being the first storekceper in the
settlement, though his stock of goods
consisted only of actual necessities
such as a few groceries and dry goods.
For years the nearest flour mill was
at NIanti. The Richfield Coon became
the leading business establishment.
From so humble beginning mas
rescn one Of the most aggressive
cities OF the state; indeed, Rlchneld
is in many ways both an inspiration
and an example.
EDUCATIONAL CENTER.
AS an educational center it has no
superior south of Provo. It's two large
school buildings offer splendid advan-
tages to the children of the citizens TO
acquire a good working knowledge or
the branches taught in the common
schools, while the High school Is second
to none in the state. Sixteen teachers
are employed, with Earl Thompson as
principal and Professor Jensen in
charge of the High school.
The Richfeld Electric Light & Power
company owns and operates steam
plant and a water power plant at Glen
wood, six miles across the valley, am
pie power is developed for lighting ana
mower purposes. Thomas Brown is
managergnnd q number OF the Indus
tries OF the city are supplies with cleo
trio power
Richfield has an opera house. which
is on tho tri-state circuit and which
Furnishes amusement during the Win
ter. In addition to these there are
two splendid ,pavilions, the Anona and
the Star, where a1nuscments are car
ried on. sI
SEVERAL CHURCHES.
There are in Richfeld, three ward
.meetinghouscs and the Tabernacle,
where regular services are held, In adj
flition to which there Is Presbyterian
hnd Methodist Episcopal church.
A large spring near the western
border Of the city furnishes a splendid
supply OF pure water for the city, and
there is a splendid system OF water
works. which brings the spring water
nto the homes of the people.
Land is cheap and lote for building
purposes can be had at reasonable
rates, so that there is ample oppor-
tunity for getting a home here In the
country with all of the modern con-
veniences of the city.
The season just passed has not been
remarkable for extensive operations
in the building line; but several cot
tages and residences have been erected
which all show the progressive spirit
OF Richheld's citizens.
NEW RESIDENCES
The most pretentlous new residence
Is that of J. NJ. Peterson. 1t is by long
odds the finest home in this part OF
the country. 1t is built of buff pressed
brick with red sandstone foundation
and trimmings. It is two stories and
is 81 large, roonly, well-devised home.
Surrounding the front entrance is a
magnificent veranda, with q cement
floor on the lower story, and a broad
sweep of balcony leading from the
rooms upstairs.
The interior is colonial in finish and
design. Tho ceiling is raftered and
beaIned to resemble the houses of a
century ago. and tho woodwork
throughout Is finished in natural
grain It gives charming effect. Ore
gon fir and oak are the woods used in
the finishing and these are enhanced
with the hard-oil finish instead OF
paint.
A new tithing office has also just
been erected. The building is of
pressed brick with dressed red sand
stone foundation. 1t will be one Of
the finest Church offices to be found in
the State.
Provision has been made for the stake
clerk and stake presidents office, bish-
ops office, high council room, receiving
room, two vaults, cellar which Will
contain a modern heating plant. The
cellar has a concrete and cement floor
go that dampness will be excluded
On the second floor VIII be located
the praycr-circle room the Whoie
edifce will be electrically lighted and
equipped with a modern heating plant