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Show Geneva Steel Named After Resort, Hebertson Writes History Since 1 890 Rasmussen from Salt Lake City took an active ac-tive interest in Geneva in 1917. An elecric generating plant was installed and for the first time electric lights were used to illuminate il-luminate the buildings and grounds. In 1920 Mr. Rasmussen secured title ti-tle to the property and continued his opera-t opera-t i o n s . In June of 1920 it was taken over by the Hebertson brothers, Leonard R. Thorit, C, and Walace S. Provo Band dances continued con-tinued to be the major attraction for the two following seasons. Trucks and buses transported crowds of pleasure seekers from Provo, and large numbers came from surrounding com munities. Since the lake had reached an all time high, fishing, bathing and boating were a profitable enterprise. enter-prise. But unlike the amusements of the nineties, the red men had retired from the scene. The old saloon was no more. The automobile had come into its own to replace the special excursion trains of former days, although large numbers continued to arrive by way of the D&RGW for week end visits. In 1923 Frant East-mond East-mond from Salt Lake City and Walter Taylor from Provo became the owners and operators of the resort. They continued to build and develop the property. The operated successfully until about 1935. In 1935 the property was purchased by the Utah Power and Light company as a potential site for a steam power plant, But the receding waters of the lake once again caused the company com-pany to abandon the idea of locating a power plant on the site. Some four years late the power company razed the buildings that were constructed a half century prior by Captian John Dallin. What the future of the old Geneva resort might be is any one guess. But the charming charm-ing name has taken on a new and more significant signifi-cant meaning. Geneva as a name in Utah county has gained national na-tional significance. by T.C. Hebertson Geneva, as a name in Utah county dates back until 1890. It was, at about that time, that Geneva bathing resort came into in-to existence. "Lake of Geneva", Geneva by the Lake, Geneva par excellence, must have been the thoughts and dreams of one Captain John Dallin of Spr-ingville Spr-ingville as a life's dream unfolded before him. Mr. Dallin purchased purchas-ed a ten acre tract of land on the shore of Utah Lake on March 26, 1888 for the sum of $200.00. Soon thereafter the dream of his life's work began to materialize. He had an artesian well driven, planted a few lombardi poplar trees and built a small dwelling, perhaps one or two rooms. It was in these surroundings that he first established himself at the sight of the woud be Geneva resort. Mortgaged for $450 Official documents reveal that on June 20, 1890 the Geneva property pro-perty was given as a mortgage to secure a ninety day note for $450. On September 19, 1890 the property was re-mortgaged for $500. for one year. It is evident that the first phase of construction took place between June 20, 1890 and September 19 of the same year. The name, Geneva Bathing Resort, was well enough established establish-ed in 1893 to appear in official documents. From January 1, 1893 to June 6, 1893 the Ec-cles Ec-cles Lumber Company of Ogden delivered some $6000.00 worth of lumber to Geneva. The Scott Hardware of Salt Lake City supplied $1020.59 worth of merchandise mer-chandise between February 1, 1893 and July 3, 1893. Old Hotel The buildings in addition ad-dition to the boats, bathing houses, and piers consisted of a two and one half story hotel with kitchen, dining din-ing room, lobby, confectionary. con-fectionary. Guest rooms, a large mezzanine mez-zanine and verande made up the second story. Facing the hotel and immediately to the south stood the open air pavillion, perhaps the largest dance hall in the county. Directly east, a saloon was built. It was during this time that Geneva experience its boom days. Old timers recall as many as three or four special trinas on the Geneva switch of the D&RGW. These trains came periodically from SAlt Lake City and Ogden on the north, and from Provo, Eureka, Manti and Nephi on the south. Sports of the day consisted of horse racing, rac-ing, ball games, and shooting matches, as well as boating, bathing and fishing. Sail boat racing was a common phase of entertainment. A steam bath was maintained main-tained by Walker brothers of Salt Lake City, so we are told. Free barbecues were oftimes a means of inducement Some noted horses of that period were imported to add to the festivities. The indians mingled freely with the whites in the pony races. Prior to the turn of the century there were yet anumber of Indian families that had not yet reconciled themselves to remaining remain-ing on the reservation. They could not refrain from following the old tradition of visiting the lake for their anual fare of fish which were available in abundance at almost every season. A few still remember Old Curly and family who staked his claim on the bank of the big spring about three fourths of a mile east of Geneva on the 1 north side of Geneva road. A companion, Indian In-dian Jim, had established himself near what is not the north gate of Geneva Steel. During the intervening interven-ing years the old resort has risen and has fallen with the level of the lake. Back in the nineties the lake was clear and beautiful, with long stretches of sand beaches, and acres of beautiful white shells. Trout, suckers, mullet, and chubs were abundant abun-dant in its water. One could stand waist deep in the water and see the sand and shells on the bottom. Now, all has been replaced by mud, slime, and pollution. pollu-tion. Most of this change seems to have been brought about by man. It was in the early ear-ly nineties that carp were first released in the lake. Authorities say that these fish are the cause of the mud and slime'. The marine life of former years that kept the water clear and bedecked the shore lines with shells has long since ceased to exist. Thus the forces of nature and the work of man have perhaps been a great factor in keeping Captain John Dallin 's dream from materalizing. Then also there were financial difficulties. The native population seek much of their recreation in their church and through their church. Brawls, horse racing, boating, fishing, bathing on the sabbath day was never a part of their lives. Following the "gay nineties" there was not much activity at Geneva until April 1907. At that time John Dallin signed a quit claim deed and retired from the scene. This property was taken over by the Utah Lake club. This club was made up of Provo businessmen who were interested in boating, bathing, fishing and sportsmanship. Under the able direction direc-tion of W.M. Wilson, backed by the Provo Businessmen, summer dancing and regular excursions were established once more. But history seemed to repeat itself. The seasons of high water began to recede and Geneva once again passed into secondary significance. It was in June 1916 that the property was transferee! to Knight Trust and Savings bank. Prior to this time Jake Westpahll and Levi Carpenter had operated the resort with varying degrees of success. Charles C |
