History

Local author, Lindsay Clyde-Flanagan remembers the first story she wrote. It was a fully illustrated masterpiece about a girl and her horse — Black Beauty. No, she didn’t plagiarize Anna Sewell; she just borrowed the horse’s name — after all, she was only in second grade. Lindsay laughs as she shares how she wishes she still had the book. More recently, she wrote another book about a girl and her horse, only this time she didn’t borrow any names. This time, she went above and beyond her second-grade little girl imaginings…

Most articles and books on geology, anthropology, and history start with the early beginnings and progress chronologically to more modern times. For this article, we’ll follow suit, and begin with taking a look at Heber Valley’s geological history, with relatively late volcanic activity, faulting of the Wasatch and Uintah Mountains, Ice-Age glaciers, formation of the Heber Valley, and channeling of the Provo and other local rivers and streams. Culturally, we’ll summarize the man-made features of our environs, including the…

Dear Friends, Members, Guests, and Newcomers: The September meeting of the Wasatch Coin & History Club will be held Tuesday evening, 26 Sep, from 6-8 PM, at the Wasatch County Library in Heber City, next to Wasatch High School. This month we will be presenting The History and Coins of Nabatea and the Ancient City of Petra (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world). Please come and support the club and enjoy a great presentation. We have lots of coins to go with the story and pictures, and a new batch of reward…

From its humble beginnings in 1947 until today, Heber Valley Airport (KHCR is its national identifier) reflects pioneering aviation history, growth, change and a whole lot of flying. In its early years, KHCR was known for a diverse collection of classic general aviation and warbird aircraft and their pilots. Russ McDonald and a few partners bought the land, developed a 3,300’ runway and started a fixed base of operation (FBO) they called Heber Valley Flying Service (HVFS). HVFS began with a small (45 x 60 feet) hangar with…

The Wasatch Coin & History Club meets monthly on the last Tuesday at 6:00 pm at the Wasatch County Library. Anyone interested in coin collecting, art and history is invited. The club looks at ancient, world and US coins, currency and their historical relevance. Drawings for coins and prizes. All invited – prizes for young participants/presenters. The next meeting is on 27 June 2023. Presentation: “Counterfeit & Replica Coins / Identifying & Cleaning Coins” by Dr. Lee McKenzie. Presentations:…

A bright summer sun lights up the large red barn west of a pioneer home site off Southfield Road. Chirping birds in two tall pines are momentarily silenced by the Heber Creeper’s shrill whistle as she rolls southwest along the historic Heber — Provo railroad line. Suddenly, my Minepro metal detector beeps loudly, indicating a metal object approximately 8” below (according to the digital readout). I am detecting around a brick walkway that leads to the now boarded-up front door. I dig a circular hole in the reddish soil…

My first introduction to the lost town of Keetley came from a story my dad tells about him and his high-school friend, driving along the old stretch of highway 40 that then bridged Park City and Heber, before the dam was constructed in the late 80s. They had a tradition that as they approached Keetley, my dad would kick his 1964 Buick Special into neutral, turn off his engine, and coast down the hill towards Heber; then, as they approached the Keetley town limits, as indicated by a small road sign reading “Keetley,” they…

As you are reading this, there is probably someone, somewhere in the Heber Valley, talking through their radio to another radio operator somewhere else in the country. This thought may conjure up an image of a gray-bearded man hunched over a microphone in a poorly lit, damp basement, turning knobs on a mysterious box; using a length of old speaker wire, that spent 10 years in a corner of the garage, as the antenna, and likely powering it all from a roof-mounted solar panel.  Such are the caricatures of amateur (ham) radio…

With all of the talented artists we have here in our valley it should come as no surprise that, collectiviely, their art work can be seen from Wasatch County to all across the globe. This spring and summer there is an opportunity for our amazing artists to share their gift(s) with Summit County by creating a Historical Mural in Hoytsville, Utah. “The SCPAAB is seeking qualified artists to create a two-dimensional mural celebrating and honoring the history, heritage, and culture of Hoytsville and Summit County. The mural…

How fortunate we are to live in this valley of breathtaking beauty and wonderful people, both present and past. The history of the greater Heber valley is rich and varied, including individuals and families who have exhibited qualities of courage, faith and determination. An organization has been formed called the “Heber Valley Heritage Foundation”, led by Michael Moulton along with a team committed to the preservation of the history and stories of the great people who settled here. Current technology is making this dream…

The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms are strong as iron bands. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. “The Village Blacksmith” It is believed that Albert Einstein once said, “Life is a journey with problems to solve, lessons to learn, but most of all experiences to enjoy.” For David “Skinner” Collins, that saying couldn’t be truer. Anxious to get started, Skinner began his life’s journey two months early. At two pounds six ounces, he fit on the palm of his father’s…

Written by Michael Moulton with Jim Ritchie “In the end, our society will be defined not only by what we create, but by what we refuse to destroy.” -John Sawhill When people ask what I am doing nowadays, I explain that I am Chairman of the Heber City Historic Preservation Commission. Inevitably they ask, “What is that?” I stumbled in answering that question to the point where I decided several months ago to write what I called a “White Paper” on all matters pertaining to Historic and Heritage Preservation just to keep me…