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Show Volume III, Issue III THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 5 December 1, 2000 New Store Opens in Eden By Shanna Francis small, mountain valleys high up along the Continental Divide providing an abundant supply of timber for building In November of this year, one of the homes and crafting the necessary tools oldest establishments in the Valley and household items needed to prosper. reopened—the Eden Blacksmith shop. The collective effort enabled the setBut this time, the historical buildings tlers to create thriving communities are housing furniture, much of it replete with wards and schools, allowimported from the South West and ing each Colony to best utilize its Godnorthern Mexico. given resources Dan Conway, for the betterment owner of the new of the whole. store The During the folColonies, selected lowing years the Ogden Valley to Mormon Pioneers open his new lived and worked business after in harmony with friend and their Mexican and employee Bert Indigenous counOdel, introduced terparts continuhim to the area. ing to grow and C o n w a y strengthen their describes his community. The hand-selected furoutbreak of the niture as rustic M e x i c a n Bert Odel owner. with a western Revolution in flare. Conway, who has an 1910 shattered that peace and brought International Business degree, has been trying times to both Mexico and the working in the international banking Colonies. business in Tucson. He has had an The Mormons, despite Mexican interest in southwest and colony furni- passports and making every attempt to ture, collecting many pieces of his own remain neutral, found themselves to decorate his personal residence, for viewed as “gringo” outsiders. many years. Conway stated, “When I Constantly being overran by alternatno longer had room to keep pieces of ing waves of Pancho Villa’s revolutionary army and government forces, each requisitioning livestock, food and arms and threatening the well-being of pioneer’s families, proved too much. After forces from both sides of the warring factions converged on the area the decision was made to seek refuge in the United States. “The Exodus” was quick and without warning, forcing many of the Saints to flee with only the clothing on their backs. With the end of the Mexican Revolution many of the families returned to their homes in the Colonies to begin anew. The new found stability brought other groups into the area, including the Mennonites, seeking land and the freedom to practice their simfurniture I was interested in, I decided ple, agrarian way of life. to go into the business, selecting pieces Today the Colonies continue to for others.” thrive as an inclusive community of The idea for The Colonies has an farmers, ranchers and craftsmen. interesting history. In 1885, Brigham Much of the furniture at The Colonies Young, as a result of increasing inter- is influenced or even crafted by memvention from the U.S. government, bers of the colonies and their varied directed a group of Mormon pioneers and their families into the northern Mexican State of Chihuahua to establish settlements. These settlements, known as the Colonies, were designed to be self-sustaining communities where, should the need arise, the church and its faithful could find a safe haven and the freedom to practice their religion. Three of the settlements, the Lower Colonies (Dublan, Diaz and Juarez), were located in the wide valley at the base of the Sierra Madre Mountains where fertile soil, a mild climate and mountain streams lent themselves to planting orchards and cultivating crops. The Mountain Colonies (Garcia and Pacheco ), were nestled into Ogden Valley News Staff cultures. In addition to the fine furniture, the shop offers a variety of interesting and beautiful decorating and accent pieces. The Colonies is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The historic blacksmith shop is located at 2145 N. 5500 E. in the old Eden Town Square. The Colonies offers free delivery locally. For more information, you can call the store at 801-745-9628. Better yet, come by for a visit. You’ll be pleasantly surprised! Mormon pioneers. Now Open Distinctive Ranch and Country Home Furnishings 2145 N. 5500 E. Eden, Utah 84310 (801) 745-9628 Utah’s Tradition in Mexico Since 1885 Monday - Thursday 10:00 - 5:00 Friday & Saturday 10:00 - 7:00 |