Santa Clara Utah is one of the towns making up the greater St. George or Washington County area in Southern Utah. Each of these little towns comes with their own flavor and history.
Santa Clara Utah history
When The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wanted to settle the state of Utah, Brigham Young, president of the church, sent pioneers to various parts of the state. The settlements began as missions. Santa Clara Utah was the first in the this area.
Many of the original settlers were Swiss immigrants. Some of the architecture in the early homes still reflects that heritage.
Jacob Hamblin was the early leader for the Santa Clara, Utah mission. He was called to make inroads with the Native Americans living in that area. As was the case with many of these early settlements, the Santa Clara Utah settlement was rife with challenges and danger.
One of the main challenges historically for the area was a single event and its aftermath: the flooding of the Santa Clara river. The already poor saints had much of their land and belongings lost in this flood. Even Jacob Hamblin’s first home was included in the disastrous wake. So when he built his second home, it was on a hill high above the river. It still stands there today as one of the landmarks in the Santa Clara Utah area.
Santa Clara Utah today
According to recent census data, Santa Clara Utah population is currently a little more than 6,000. Somehow, even with continual growth of the greater St. George area, Santa Clara Utah maintains its small-town feel. The quaint downtown and the main drag through Santa Clara Utah is still home to several historic landmarks. For example, the original Relief Society House for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This house was built in 1907.
Downtown you can also see the Santa Clara Utah Town Hall. This relatively new structure serves as the gateway into the rest of the town. Its beautiful architecture and interior design is a true jewel for the Santa Clara Utah area.
Flood monument
Outside the Santa Clara Utah Town Hall there is a monument to the devastation caused by another flood. Although not quite so devastating as the original flood in Jacob Hamblin’s time, the 2005 flood of the Santa Clara river destroyed 30 homes and damaged many others.
During the 2005 flood, Santa Clara Utah residents and those in the surrounding area rallied together to help. As the floodwaters began to rise, neighbors, friends, even strangers began sandbagging, hauling furniture out of threatened homes and worked tirelessly to save what they could.
But water proved to be stronger than manpower in some cases. With nothing to do but watch, several homeowners saw their homes, and even the ground beneath those homes, wash down the Santa Clara Utah river leaving them with nothing.
The statue outside the Santa Clara Utah Town Hall pays tribute to the many volunteers who lessened the destruction with their quick-thinking and willingness to help.
It’s the kind of courage and camaraderie that Santa Clara Utah was founded on and it still continues today.
Annual events
Once each year Santa Clara Utah celebrates its history and heritage with the annual Swiss Days festival. This year’s Swiss Days is just around the corner and will be ringing in the Santa Clara Utah event with the theme: Celebrating Traditions.
During Swiss Days, Santa Clara Utah residents, as well as many from the surrounding area, join together for food, games, parades, a 5K run/walk and more.
Nod to the heritage
When you drive down Santa Clara Utah main road, there is one house that may jump out to some. If you’re a follower of DIY blogs, the name Vintage Revivals may ring a bell. And, The Merc renovation is likely something you’ve seen.
For those who are not familiar, local DIY blogger Mandi Gubler and her husband purchased the old Santa Clara Utah Mercantile store in Santa Clara. Although it hasn’t functioned as a mercantile for many years, it took some hoop jumping for the couple to purchase the building with the intention of remodeling it into a residential home.
Now, roughly one year later, the Gubler family is living in The Merc, and continuing the renovations inside. Driving down the street and seeing the structure is a little like seeing someone famous on the road — for any one of the thousands of people following this project on the Vintage Revivals blog or Instagram.
Santa Clara Utah ties
Even those who no longer live in Santa Clara Utah proper, there are many southern Utahns who still have Santa Clara, Utah ties. Because of the pioneer heritage surrounding the area, and the number of family names who still reside there, it can feel a little like going on a pioneer sojourn when you drive into the area.
For people with ties to the Gublers, the Freis and others, it feels a lot like home.
Statues outside the Santa Clara, Utah Town Hall pay tribute to some of the other early settlers. It’s definitely worth a stop on a little tour of the area to see the names and history of those who had a part in making this area what it is today.
Do you think you’d like to live in an area with such a rich pioneer history? If so, check out these great home listings here.