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Show Millard Mostly Desert, But It Now Blossoms Like a Rose HyZcllC.ibbs Vast deserts cover most of Millard County. The populated areas hug the base of the great Fish lake National Forests on the east. Westward, the landscape fades into the horizon and ends in a blaze of glory at sunset. Considering that this region, according to experts in the field, has lain completely dormant and sterile for over 12,000 years, and is only now assessed as being in an early stage of ecological restoration. What the people in this area have done with it is almost incredible. Being a hard-working, determined, progressive and civic-minded peole they have worked as one to turn every possible resource to their advantage. The wealth of geologic, archaeologic, and ecologic history has been made available to the world, and their ingenutiy in coping with this harsh environment has set an example that has been envied and emulated over vast areas. Endless stretches of what is seemingly a great nothingness have been turned into a vast playground for tourists. The proposed Intermountain Power Project would have seemed at first sight to have been impossible in these desert lands. Leaning almost solely on the Sevier Iliver to provide water for this project they have optimistically looked to the advantages rather than to the disadvantages to themsevles. Controversy over the region as site of the MX Missile project has not panicked them, and one can expect that whichever way it goes, these people will adjust and use it advantageously. One of the largest mushroom plants in the USA is located two miles west of Fillmore. Who would believe mushrooms in the desert? Incredible! The Daughters of Utah Pioneers spent some 70 years restoring, preserving and improving the first State House built west of the Mississippi (1851-1855). It now houses a fine state museum where Indian artifacts and pioneer relics are displayed. This building was in a state of near dissolution, when through the per sistant and devcted efforts of these women, it was restored to graceful and useful life. A comparatively new state park at Yuba Dam includes overnight camping facilities, with a boat ramp large enough to accommodate up to 36 ft. boats, a 14 mile long ski-run, clean beaches, and excellent fishing. Ancient lava fields, volcanic craters, Ice caves, and hot springs have been made accessible to visitors, as well as many beautiful picnic and camp sites. Sites with historical significance are well marked and excite much interesst. Cove Fort, built in 1857 as protection against Indian attacks is still in excellent repair and is in use presently as a museum displaying pioner and Indian relics and artifacts. One of the west's best known and most loved Indians was Chief Kanosh, who came to the mountains of Utah as youth. He was early chosen as Chief of the Piute Tribes, and spent his life trying to maintain peace between his own and other tribes, and the white settlers. The chief's own personal life was plagued with tragedy and heartbreak. An annual celebration, built around a pageant depicting the life of 'Chief Kanosh, is held at Fillmore, unfolding on the rolling hillside of the Old Capitol Amphl-theatre at north park. It is an outstanding production beginning at sunset and running August 5-9. The very old and the very new blend into the mosaic of Millard County, creating a most interesting ambiance. It is a graphic case of building the new from the stones of the ancient. |