Relaxation & Spa Services

Brian Head

Brian Head is a small ski resort community located in the heart of southern Utah’s national parks and monuments.  Located at 9,500 feet, Brian Head is the highest ski resort town in North America.  In the summer and fall the temps hover in the mid 70’s making it a perfect destination to escape the heat of the valley below.  During that time, Brian Head offers Utah’s premier mountain bike park with chairlift and shuttle service that whisks you to the top of Brian Head Peak.   Over 200 miles of downhill mountain bike trails await and you can rip down incredible roller coaster cruisers and some popping vertical descents.     If mountain biking is not your scene, the weekend chairlift service is also available to hikers and sightseers in search of Utah’s famous red-rock vistas.  Plus, Brian Head has ATV tours, horseback rides, and free summer concerts on most weekends. 

In the winter, Brian Head is a great ski and boarding destination.  Brian Head Resort has been rated one of America’s best ski values because there are virtually no lift lines, the slopes are un-crowded, and daily lift passes are less than $50!  Brian Head’s winter adventures also include snowtubing, snowbikes, snowmobile tours, sleigh rides, cross country skiing and a full service day spa.

Brian Head is a festive community with several fun and unique events held throughout the year including: Fireworks and torchlight parades during the winter holidays, holiday bonfires, live summer concerts, Thunder on the Mountain motorcycle rally, Oktoberfest, NORBA Nationals Mountain Bike championships, Epic 100 Mountain Bike Races, and an Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration.   Click on our calendar of events for more information.

Brian Head History  
The story behind Brian Head begins with the most basic element of folklore: the naming of the place. No one really knows the origin of Brian Head's unique name, but the stories of the names are often as interesting as the people that tell them.
Brian Head was originally known as Monument Peak and was used by early surveyors and expedition leaders as a point of reference. The name changed in the early 1900s. Exactly why the name changed, however, is subject to conjecture.
One story claims that famous explorer John Wesley Powell saw the peak above all the other mountains and named it after an official in the Geological Survey Office by the name of Bryan.

Another story claims that residents of neighboring Parowan changed the name in 1890 to Bryan Head in honor of an American politician named William Jennings Bryan.  Still another claims that the wife of a United States government official visited the area, didn't like the name of Monument Peak, and wrote letters to prominent government officials to change the name to Bryan Head (the spelling now obviously having changed to "Brian" Head).

As Brian Head area grew, so did industry. Soon the area was teaming with farming, grazing and logging. There was even a small section of town known as Little Ireland that became famous for its world-class butter and cheese.

In Brian Head's early days, there was a hotel, restaurant and dance hall that were operated by Minnie Adams Burton. "Minnie's Mansion" became the gathering place for people from all around. On the 24th of July, an annual celebration commenced at Minnie's that brought sheep and cattle herders from miles around for huge breakfasts, horse racing, potato sack races, fireworks and dancing.

In more recent times, local resident Burt Nichols saw something in the beautiful slopes surrounding the town, and in 1964, he opened the Brian Head Resort with one chairlift, a T-bar and a warming house.   The town of Brian Head incorporated in 1975.  In 1990 Brian Head Resort was able to expand their season when they added snow making technology and terrain parks for snowboarding.  That same year, Brian Head became a premier mountain bike destination utilizing the over 200 miles of existing livestock trails that lend to superb mountain biking downhill. In late 2007, the resort will complete an expansion effort that will increase their skiable terrain to over 650 acres and will include a new snowmaking system and an interconnect bridge.

Community Links
Brian Head Chamber of Commerce
PO BOX 190325
56 N. Hwy 143
Brian Head, Ut 84719
435-677-2810 or 1-888-677-2810
www.brianheadutah.com

Brian Head Town
P.O. Box 190068
56 N. North Hwy 143
Brian Head, UT 84719
435-677-2029
www.brianheadtown.utah.gov

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

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