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Show Utah Pre $ A sociation 467 Eaet Third South Salt Lake City, Ut. 84111 This Week: OS0DQ Serving American Fork. Alpine and Highland Vol. 3 No. 13 Thursday, April 2, 1981 20 cents single copy nmm mmm (sof? Briefly: Register Now For Kindergarten Bygone Era Geneva Resort. History Traced. Geneva Resort, Utah County's most popular recreation spot from the early 1920's until the early 1930's, was mainly the result of the energies, enthusiasm and vigor of Frank and Clarrisa Eastmond and Walter G. and Agnes Taylor, co-owners co-owners of the famed facility during that era. Development of the site dates back to March 26, 1888 when Captain John Dallin bought the 10-acre 10-acre tract on the east shores of Utah Lake for $200. He planted lombardy poplar trees, dug an artesian well and built a small home on the site. By 1893 the site included piers, bath houses, a hotel, a spacious open-air pavillion and a saloon. It had been named Geneva Resort in honor of the captain's daughter, Geneva Dallin. Between the years of 1890 and 1935, the prosperity and acitivity of the resort area closely paralleled the level of Utah Lake. High water brough good business and low water made business poor. Around the turn of the century, as many as four special trains could be seen at one time on the Geneva Resort spur of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. Trains originated from Ogden and Salt Lake City on the north, and Provo, Eureka, Manli and Nephi on the south. Family outings were all-day adventures which usually involved competitive sporting eyenjts. , , Dallin Sells Resort' Following the golden era of the nineties, there was little activity at Geneva until 1907 when Capl. Dallin sold the resort .to a group of local businessmen called the Utah Lake Club. They planted more trees, dug wells, made picnic areas and a baseball diamond. Weekly dances were held and regular excursions once again established. At this time a number of cabins were built to house guests at the resort, since fishing and boating attracted numbers of sportsmen for weekend activities. A large motor launch was in use for carrying passengers across the lake. During World War I, Geneva Resort entered a second period of decline when the lake level dropped. Jack Weslphall and Levi Carpenter owned il during this time. Il was principally used for pleasure boating and commercial fishing. Electricity Installed In 1917, Charles C. Rasmussen look over the properly on a lease arrangement. He installed an electric generating plant, and for the first time electric lights were used to illuminate the buildings and grounds. For a short lime there was a revival in ihe resort's popularity wilh boating, fishing, regular excursions and weekly dances again resumed. Changes Ownership In June 1920 Leonard R, Thorit C. and Wallace S. Heberlson purchased Geneva Resort. They operated Ihe facility for I wo years, and in 1923 Frank H. Eastmond and Waller G. Taylor acquired title to the resort. During this period ihe level of Ihe lake reached an all lime high. It didn't lake long for the new owners to begin renovation of the run-down resort, and soon a great family fun area was back in operation. The hotel contained a large dining room, a very large kitchen, a lobby with a confection store and a billiard room wilh several tables. The upstairs of the hotel, wilh approximately 12 rooms, became Ihe living quarters for ihe Eastmond jind Xaylox.fa milietMaud.,. several full time employees.- The attic area of the hotel was inhabited by thousands of bats and occasionally one would creep into Ihe living quarters, whereupon pandemonium would break loose. Directly across a court from the hotel was Ihe large dance hall. On Ihe east and west sides of the court were located hot dog and hamburger ham-burger stands. In the rebuilding of the resort, acres of lawn were planted, repairs were made and gallons of white paint covered everything. A fresh green I rim made the whole area look spic and span and almost new. In the center of the court, a circular flowerbed and fountain were buill and Ions of new gravel covered footpaths everywhere. A playground was installed along the lake shore between the hotel and the cabin camping area which f-spp Geneva Resort was : named in honor of Capt. mi Dallin's daughter, t X """ Geneva Dallin. I j? I - SHOWN IS THE MAIN ENTRANCE of the 1 ,'J ( k . . Geneva Hotel (below). It had a large I jjr I id' frHr dining area and a pool hall. I V?f 1 1 1 """ W j&Yl til a. mSl&2, Ms "' feiSS" O s. " III &J "OLD BRUIN" the bear at Geneva Resort (right) was a mam attraction of the mini-zoo there. For special events, the man who raised him from a cub would put on a wrestling match with the bear. Wt)R'KtRS AT GENEVA RESORT before the swimming fipols were built, take advantage of a diving platform in Utah Lake. Ready to take the plunge is Maurice "Lefty" Howard, a long-time employee at the resort (above). included swings, slides, iricky bars, teeter-tollers and even a small zoo with a bear as a feature attraction. At this lime all swimming was in ihe lake and a diving barge beckoned the more proficient swimmers and divers to swim and sun bathe in Ihe deeper water. Il wasn't long until a large heated swiming pool was buill wit h individual bath houses on boih the north and south ends of the pool. H had a shallow end for ihe use of children and a deep end with boih low and high diving boards. The pool was west of the hotel and below an embankment which was terraced wit h rock walls and lawn. A long pier si ret died behind the bathhouses and far out inlo Utah Lake where one could fish or renl a row-boat for a pleasure ride. People moved inlo the cabins for iheir summer vacations and Ihe building of iife-long friendships. For ihe first dance under Ihe management of the new owners, he large, beautiful arches in Ihe dance hall were decorated wilh iruckloads of organdy rose garlands in all shades of pink. Also a small candy and refreshment sand was included within the dance hall area. The regular Saturday night (lances became so popular that soon a large outdoor addition was buill on Ihe large covered hall, doubling the dancing area lo handle Ihe huge crowds. Ariel's Orchestra from SLC was Ihe mosl popular band. Anoiher cold-water pool was buill to catch flat carts thai carried swimmers down a 40-fool slide and a skim across the water. Swimming had been very popular but Ihe addition of Ihe large slide made il even more exciting. Mrs. Taylor, who did Ihe cooking for the holel dining room was noted throughout the area for her delicious homemade apple and Continued on page A-3 AF City Council Considers 22-Acre Softball Complex By SHARON MORREY When the proposed 22-acre softball complex for American Fork came to the city council March 24, it found the going rougher than its ride through planning commission the week before. Although the project eventually won mixed council blessing for its "concept," allowing promoters to proceed with working out details, the city council was divided in their support of the complex. Councilman Robert Warnick raised the most questions, saying he had "a whole bunch" when Mayor Beck asked for discussion and comment. "How can we justify putting in a 24-foot 24-foot road access when we require 50 feet by contractors?" asked Warnick when he learned of the plan to grade the half-mile of road up along the Beehive Park, lay a two-inch gravel base, and use that type of road to handle the anticipated heavy traffic into the complex. "If the need is as great as you say for this ball park, I question the wisdom of that kind of road. We ought to put in a real road," Warnick said. Councilman Don Fox stated this was the least expensive way to provide access for the ballpark. "This gravel road, we can put in at an estimate of $2400. That includes grading the high spots, hauling and laying by the contractor," he said. The next alternative to this, offered by the Mayor, would be a road costing approximately $6000. This road would be oil base with a "chip-coat" - similar to roads built by the county. But Warnick asked whether the city would be violating its own ordinance by building a 24-foot road. Jess Green, planning commission chairman, said the council should be aware that an oversize water line will be needed under the road, and costs for that had not been included in the costs counted so far. Warnick then pointed out there are no costs involved for labor. "My concern is what it will cost if we have to hire?" Janice Mayne, councilwoman over parks and stumping for the complex, admitted the costs "would exactly double" if help were hired. But she predicted American Fork people would come forth to help, and says she has promises - "even guarantees" guaran-tees" - from the National Guard captain for their help. Warnick then turned his barrage to utility costs. "What is power going to cost us? What about sewer and water?" he wanted to know. According to the Mayor costs will be reduced in some ways. "It costs us $800 monthly now to light the present fields, it will be cheaper with the new type globe than what we're doing." The sewer line already runs "right up through here," said Carl Hansen, City Engineer. He also said the water can come from an extension line from the Tri-City Golf Course or be run in a six-inch line from 600 East. Attention turned to the question of leases on the land involved. Mayne and the Mayor claim "great faith" in the state's commitments. "That land," says Mayne, "had been designated as recreation area. The state supports our idea." Mayor Beck felt the cost for leasing would be "minimal". Land for the Tri-City Golf Course is leased from the state, and is $1000 a year. "I agree that we've eventually got to put in two roads." the Mayor conceded. "This is our number one capital-improvement project. It's economically and feasibly needed now. It will cost more five years from now," he said. "This land is an ideal situation, designated as a flood plain, away from residences. It's my recommendation that we go this direction." Councilman Warnick still wasn't convinced. "I request that each councilmember think about this - is it a necessity or a luxury? I think one more diamond could still be put in at the old junior high. I'm not sure we are using what we already have to its maximum." "And," continued Warnick, "I'm not sure that it isn't a premature decision. You're planning to sell properties such as the hospital and the old junior high that are an asset to the city. This land we do not have a right to sell yet. And you're saying we can use this money to buy ground we'll never own." Warnick brought up several other objections - including his feeling that the city does not have the responsibility respon-sibility to provide playing space for LDS Church teams. He worried about Gameo Theatre WEEKLY PROGRAM The Amusement Center for the Towns of Northern Utah Co. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 AND 23 2 FEATURES 2 BAKUARA STANWYCK IX "THE SECRET BRIDE" With WARRKX WILLIAMS Would you make your innermost sc-rots public if another's life depended upon it .' NUMBER 2 "ONE HOUR LATE" With Helen TWELVETIiKKS & COXRAD XAGEL One fleeting hour that (hanged four lives! Matinee Sat. 3:30 p.m. Adm.lOc Evenings Only 10c and 15c A 1934 NEWSPAPER MOVIE ADVERTISEMENT resident response when people living along 610 East realize they'll be flanked by roads. Jess Green wondered about safety along the narrow road, especially on summer evenings when Beehive teams are playing and small children are playing in the park. "You'll need a fence all along the back of homes, a full-time officer to watch for kids," he insisted. Mayor Beck and Councilwoman Mayne countered that these are problems you would face wherever you build such a pallbark, and could be worked out. Mayne said that some of Warnick's concerns were not valid. She said neighborhood park projects would get funds from the monies raised for the complex. She told him she felt people want the additional diamonds. Mayor beck said he thought they ought to proceed and called for the council vote. Warnick and Councilman Coun-cilman Ted Barratt voted against the concept. Mayne. Fox and Junior Williamson outvoted them. With "concept" approval, City Recreation Director Steve Bailey can get specific leases and contracts lined up. The Ballpark will eventually face a public hearing, and more review from the council before it can be started. Cerl Hanpt, editor of the Tre monloa Leadrr Garland Timet: Rest ia Peace. All children entering kindergarten in the Alpine School District next fall should register Monday, April 13 in their respective schools. Children attending kindergarten this fall must be five years old by October 31. 1981. Parents should call their school for information concerning the April 13 registration. Some schools hold registration with just the parent attending and others desire both the parent and the student. Kindergarten booklets, as well as medical and dental forms will be distributed at the registration. Sharon Beck, elementary supervisor, super-visor, said, "From the list of students who register, Ihe needs of our hiring teachers and determining number of kindergarten classes lo be held are made." Before entering kindergarten, each student must have valid birth certificate cer-tificate and proof of required immunizations. im-munizations. Farmers Should Plan Ahead Farmers are beginning to think "drought" and wonder if 1981 will be another year like '77. The U.S.D.A. -Soil Conservation Service (S.C.S.) and the National Weather Service say the snowpack in Utah is way below normal, and since our water supply is dependent on this snowpack, water shortage could be a threat here. How much of a shortage? Although culinary uses may not be directly affected, according to Gerald Jorgenson, district conservationist for the S.C.S. in Provo, "We only have 71 percent of our normal snowpack usual for this time of the year, so we expect short water supplies! - at least for those diverting water from streams for irrigation." But according to Mr. Jorgenson, there are things a farmer can do to make the best use of the available water. First, farmers need to keep in touch with the current water situation through irrigation districts, reservoir managers, and others who monitor and regulate water supplies. Sceond, they need to understand the best use of their soil, markets, irrigation systems, and other things that affect the best use of their water supply. And, Mr. Jorgenson says, they need to do it right now beacause they may soon have to make some difficult decisions. Some crops use more water than others. How many acres and what crops may have to be adjusted? How fast can the soil accept water and what is its water-holding capacity? Farmers need this kind of information, in-formation, especially in a water-short year. It will be important to know about soil types, (since they're an important im-portant guide to rate and frequency of irrigation) and soil fertility. Fertile soils make more efficient use of irrigation water, so it makes sense to concentrate water there. More ideas for farmers on ways to stretch water are available from the Local Soil Conservation Service office at 88 West 100 North. Federal Building, Room 112, in Provo. School Band Thanks Support Bard students at the American Fork Junior High School this week expressed appreciation to residents of American Fork, Alpine and Highland areas for the support given to the band's recent candy sales. "We raised over $3,500.," said Steve Cameron, band director, "and were able to purchase a piccolo, tenor sax, baritone sax, French horn, baritone horn, and a base guitar." ""The communities gave us tremendous support," Cameron continued. "We were able to reach our goal in about three weeks." Jean Engberson, Alpine, and her committee of band parents directed the drive, Cameron said. Cameron said the instruments were needed because the school district hasn't been able to provide instruments in-struments for the junior high school band program as fast as the program is growing. While most students provide thier own instrument, the larger, more expensive instruments are purchased by the schools and used by the students during their time in the band. H |