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Show 'American Fork Looks To ind Century, of Progress -- 7 -- SUNDAY ' ,W3 ; tury back when Stephen Chipman and his son William Henry, and marks the The year of American Aria Adams and his son Nathan tennial' anniversary ' made their first trip from Salt Fork. The rich heritage of the 100 Lake City into Utah valley by ox ... .:,.yeara stretching from 1850 to 1950 team. ' Is exceeded only! by the promise Great ; Possibilities Lush pasture land surrounded for the future of this city. Today streamlined automobiles the site as the four camped on roll over wide. paved highways to the banks of American Fork creek enter this thriving" community. enroute to the trading post at The picture in 1950 is in sharp Provo. It was already known in contrast to that June day a cen Salt Lake City that 'as the com- By DENA GRANT - cen- 1850 - : :- - .Crowded Calendar of Events To Marie 100th Anniversary . With American Fork celebrating the 100th anniversary of the well orfounding of the city, ganized and directed year-arouprogram has been launched with a view of bringing to mind every phase of religious, civic and cultural life of the early days.- An old folks party in January recalled the founding of old folks socials in American Fork in 1873. These annual parties 'have since that time been adopted throughout the LDS church. This' was the first event of the centennial year. A crowded calendar of events e- - lied for an MIA Special Interest group social in February in which the first band was commemorated. Coming events! include an old time melodrama in March, a square dance festival in April. the city's birthday; celebration in June, the commemoration of Am erican Fork LDS, ward day in July. Pioneer day (July, 24), an old fashioned community picnic reminiscent of Timber day, a mammoth outdoor historical pageant in August, and a replica of the Sunday school anniversary day are events for summer and early fall. i if1 dy vent to recall the building of the first homes and n Christmas pageant w JL elos th year. The centennialnniversary rnmmifu. i. comprised of C. Ai Grant chair man; Frank Greenwood, Frank G. Shelley, Mrs. Delbert Chipman, and MrsA. F. Gaisford, with Mrs. G. Easton Brown, secretary. mi - ANNUAL STEEL DAY HIGHLIGHT OF CENTENNIAL - - ; I , .,- j ' . Steel day will be the highlight of American Fork's centennial celebration. An annual event held on Labor day, the entertainment will probably extend three days this year, marked as a mammoth . homecoming. The celebration is American Fork's salute to the steel industry and labor. G. Easton Brown has been named chairman for this year's Steel day and together with committees from the civic organizations of the city is shaparound a ing plans r centering centennial theme. Featured by mammoth parades, rodeos, ball games, art and flower shows, outdoor vaudeville and dance, the entertainment i is a dawn to midnight event. This year the celebration will include special homecoming exercises of a religious , and civic nature and other events . which should make the Steel day of 1950 memorable in the history of Am erican Fork celebrations. I ' . AffmrsAdm , I i ; L 1 WATER PROJECT City improvements are keeping pace with American Fork's greatest building boom. Here is shown the new 1.000,000 gallon culinary water storage tank recently built about two miles, north of the city. It is part of city-wipublic improvements program. de American Fork In Midst of Biggest Building Boom; $1,108,850 In (Permits Issued In 1949 An Mayor Willard Cleghom and the members of the council, who on Jan. 3 took over the city government ha"ve had a wide experience as business and civic leaders, i Brought together In the city administration is the experience of a mine operator, a garage owner, the proprietor of a men's furnishings store, a farmer, a blacksmith and an automobile dealer, Mayor Cleghom, who took over the helm, is the owner of the Dutchman, Yankee and old Miller mines in American' Fork canyon and also owns mining property in Nevada. He first started mining in 1918 when he was associated with his father Robert John Cleg-hor- n. :j Church Worker ... Mayor Cleghom is active in LDS church affairs. He Is a mem ber of the Alpine stake high council. He is married and has five children, three of whorrt are mar ried. George E. Jones, four-ye- ar councilman, first . became interested in American Fork .when he married Ruby Nicholes of . this city, but it was not until 1944 that he came here to live, having purchased an Interest in Timpa nogos Motor Co. For the past 15 years he has engaged in the auto mobile business. A native of Bing ham canyon. Councilman Jones starred in basketball and football in his high school days. His early interest In recreational activities equips him for the position he holds as chairman of the city recreation committee. Four-yeCouncilman Walter B. Devey is a native of American Fork and a graduate of Brigham Young university. Following his college career he engaged in farming and the dairy business until two years ago when he opened ar exclusive men's cloth ing store. Retired Bishop Mr. Devey hasbeen a life-loworker in the LDS church and re - high in building all-ti- me ac- tivities in American Fork during the year past reflects the continued growth of the city. Over a million dollars was earmarked for construction gauged by valuation of permits issued by Glenn A. Wright, city building inspector. During 1949 $905,400 was al$177,-10- 0' lotted for for residential and the balance, $26,350 for repairs and alterations, making a total of $1,108,-85- 0. The figure of last year exceeded that of 1948 considerably, $347,055 having been spent the year previous. Construction of a new $400,000 elementary school building, a new $370,000 hospital, a $120,000 million-gallo- n water storage tank and pipe system, and a $150,000 service building for the Utah Power and Light Co. are the large building projects. XPost Office Building During , the year also a new the threshold of a secondfeentury. Here is a city exDandin' with It steadily schools, churcheseivic- organiza tions, its business Institutions, industries, beautiful homes and a citizenry that faces the second 100 years prignt with promise. ' non-resident- ial, ' well-organiz- ed - - V building to house the postoffice which has outgrown its present quarters has been built and the city fire station has been, remodeled to accommodate the second fire truck, f Early: in the year an engineering battalion of the Utah national guard was activated here with a present enlistment of 75 men. The battalion has headquarters in a building on Main street. Another improvement was the completion of a white way from east to west city limits giving American Fork one 'of the best illuminated main thoroughfares aside from the larger cities in the state.'' u ' Recreation Program i, city-own- ed ; A recreation year-arbu- nd pro- gram second to none in the state is another boast of this growing community. ;For the third consecutive year the city recreation committee has mapped a pretentious program which will assure young and old well organized leisure time f activities. Home of the well known Cavemen, American Fork is baseball conscious to the extent that the bleachers at the lighted ball park takes on the appearance of family night as parents and their children attend together; This is but one of a - - series of recreation activities of fered. Despite the fact that late, in 1948 American Fork voters disapproved a proposed sewer sys tem, an investigation is now well underway to bring the matter before the public on a smaller scale plan. The construction of a Sewer may well be said to be American Fork's (No. 1 improvement project. Facts; and figures indicate that new businesses desiring to come into American Fork as well as prospective homeowners are locating elsewhere because of lack of a sewer. Other Problems Other problems' commanding attention from forward looking citizens are, increased library facilities, the revival of a live wire chamber of commerce, the erection of a suitable building to house the "relics of pioneer settlers of this area, and a swimming i '': :: pool. J At the latest count, 8,000,000 wives or nearly of all married women have jobs outside the home in the U. S the American magazine reports. Half of these working wives are moth ers. one-four- th ; ar X ng ': i, : . ..' .' ".. !:l "'S:;. ' r""" . r ..; ECS W- - $ inn ,.- T: ii nirin r- i. iim m iimiiii ' I1 i ' " ' I ' ( s jnni o . ' 1 J ' ! ' . . v ; X :t '.-- ' ' , j I I ; ; : American,. Forfwilf. ."lee .completion' of:' 50,0b0Eiemenrary School , " V J) 335)66Community Hospital 250.00O New Commercial Buildinas iuuvaaj vomesnc vyarer improvemenrs I i !rC OO fSt5 xVyoot f Edith Moss j Centennial Queen AMERICAN FORK, UTAH AFTER 1TX) ' f Li The New Hospital Under Construction :t l ' I .u j . ' . ' ':'-'- t ; iriiiiiiiiwii,iiiniiiii,iiiimimwiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiuiiiiiiwi 1 1 and cattle ranch. i ll&llPlSWi , re-elec- ted ' ; - . .' I n ' I '' .. : mn :" : vH'fn -- ' i j Pioneers Stephen Chipman and Arza Adams gazed over the broad acres where American Fork now stands and envisioned the land as suitable for fine homes. . . .a big pasture 'VII' ;:x;v;;-.- cently retired as bishop of Hie Third ward. He has held various high positions of trust in the ward and stake. Mr. Devey la married an has a son and two daughters. H. A. Laursen was to the council for a two-ye- ar term having completed a four-ye- ar term. Since youth Mr. Laursen has resided here. He learned the blacksmith trade from his father. His work has taken him into other states but in recent years he operated his own place of business here. Mr. Laursen is married and although he and Mrs. Laursen have no children of their own have reared several other children. George Moss, elected to serve as councilman for a two-ye- ar term first came to American Fork in 1931. He was born in St. George and received his education there. During his years of residence in Salt Lake City and in American Fork Mr. Moss has been a leader wife in church affairs. He has and two sons and a daughter. Holdover Councilman 'Leslie Searle, holdover councilman from the previous administration, is prominent farmer ' of the community.' He brought to the council a wide understanding of water matters. For over 1C years he has held office in the American Fork Irrigation Co. A native of this city, he is married and has three sons and two daughters. An active member of the LDS Third ward, he is a former member of the bishopric. The recorder-clerk- 's post is held by Ray C. Nelson, veteran of World War n, a native of American Fork and BYU graduate. Mr. Nelson Is serving his third term. He is married and has two sons. Mrs. Leila B. Sykes, treasurer, la a native of KephL Mrs. Sykes has taken a prominent part ia falra and women's LDS church club activities of the city. She is the mother of a son and daughter. " ' v'ltK",-''x'- E--3 Experience fa : I 5:Ci1" Sunday, March 281950 Councilmen Bring Wide of pioneers came there growing need for more grounds for stock outside Lake valley. These men readily recognized the possibili ties of this area.' In that very year the American Fork surveyl was made and the land marked out in farms. Late that summer the first homes were built. By 1853 the little community's population numbered 212 and a city charter was granted. Pioneer Foresight " Those early pioneers had foresight in choosing their new settlement. All i main roads to the north and to the south .passed through' American Fork and it be- -i oame one of the regular stopping places, for I travelers passing through. The founders, foresaw the advantage of being the center of a triangle formed $y Lehi, Pleasant Grove and Alpine as a north Utah .county trading center. Leonard E. Harrington, vwho came to American Fork in the fall of 1850 to act; as special agent for Heber C. Kimball in the land survey, was destined to take a leading part in shaping the religious and civic .life of the community. He wast made the first bishop of American Fork: ward, and in 1851 was appointed postmaster and justice of the peace of American Fork pjrecinct which at that time embraced all the county north of Provo. X First Mayor In July of 1853 Mr. Harrington was elected the ; first mayor of American Forki tie served continuously as bishop and mayor for i 29 years. I Those early times saw little competition for city offices. Elections often were held with but one ticket in the field. Naming a man to the ticket war"tantamount to his already having the office. Public service was rewarded with meager pay, often in produce, and public officials in the founding years often served with no pay at all. Today with a'? population of over 6300, American Fork is on panies was a giazing of Salt HKrLD YEARS . . . . . Still A Fine Place To Live The New Elementary School l Mil ! |