National Register Listing

Water Lily Shaft

NE of Eureka, Eureka, UT
Local significance of the site:
Industry; Engineering

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

During World War II, a Japanese internment camp was located in Utah. The Topaz War Relocation Center, located in Millard County, held more than 8,000 Japanese Americans who were forced to leave their homes on the West Coast.
Utah random facts
Utah County is located in the central part of the state of Utah, in the United States. Its history dates back to the arrival of the first European settlers in the area in the mid-19th century. The region was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Ute and Shoshone peoples.

In 1849, Brigham Young, the leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), sent a group of pioneers to establish a settlement in Utah Valley, which later became Utah County. The settlers faced several challenges, including harsh climate conditions and conflicts with Native American tribes. Despite these difficulties, the settlement grew and prospered as more pioneers arrived in the area.

Utah County became the center of religious, social, and economic activities for the Mormon pioneers. The construction of the Provo Tabernacle and the Provo City Center Temple served as important landmarks of the region's religious heritage. Agriculture, especially fruit cultivation, became a significant industry in the county, with apples, cherries, and peaches being key crops.

Over the years, Utah County witnessed significant growth and development. Educational institutions, such as Brigham Young University (BYU), were established and played a crucial role in shaping the county's cultural landscape. In recent years, Utah County has experienced a surge in population, becoming one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. Today, it combines its religious heritage with a thriving economy, offering a mix of urban and rural areas, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a vibrant community.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Utah County, Utah.

  • 1776: The first European explorers, Fathers Escalante and Dominguez, traveled through Utah County.
  • 1847: Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young settled in the Salt Lake Valley, including the area now known as Utah County.
  • 1849: Provo was settled and became the county seat of Utah County.
  • 1851: Utah County had its first courthouse and jail.
  • 1852: Provo was incorporated as a city.
  • 1869: The completion of the transcontinental railroad brought new economic opportunities to Utah County.
  • 1875: Brigham Young Academy (now Brigham Young University) was established in Provo.
  • 1894: The first electric streetcar system was introduced in Provo.
  • 1903: The Utah-Idaho Sugar Company built a sugar factory in Lehi.
  • 1920: The Provo City Library was opened.
  • 1940s: Geneva Steel, a major steel mill, began operations in Utah County.
  • 1969: Brigham Young University became a university, offering graduate degrees.
  • 1980s: The technology industry started to grow in Utah County with the establishment of companies like Novell and WordPerfect.
  • 2002: The Peaks Ice Arena in Provo hosted ice hockey events during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.