This page provides a brief historical look at Provo, Utah.
Utah Valley's First Settlers
For generations, Utah Valley was the home of Ute Indians. They settled near Utah Lake because it was an abundant source of fish and because the Wasatch Mountains shielded them from their enemies to the northeast. Perhaps the first Europeans to see the valley were Francisco Atanasio Domínguez and Silvestre Veléz de Escalante, two Spanish priests who were seeking a better route from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Southern California in 1776. They recognized the “very good farmland” throughout the valley and even called it “the most pleasing, beautiful, and fertile site in all of New Spain.” During the early 19th century, many trappers hunted beaver fur in Utah Valley. In 1824 Etienne Provost, a French-Canadian trapper, led a group into the valley through the canyon and along the river that now bears his name.
Mormons Arrive in Provo
Mormon pioneers established Fort Utah adjacent to the Provo River in 1849. When the river overflowed its banks and flooded the site, Brigham Young directed them to move their settlement about two miles east, to a rise in the ground that is now the center of Provo. Utah Territory granted the city of Provo a charter February 2, 1851, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized a stake (regional administrative unit) there on March 19 of the same year. In 1867 an adobe meetinghouse was dedicated on what is now the corner of Center Street and University Avenue.
When the people needed a more adequate place to meet, construction on a larger tabernacle commenced in 1883 just south of the old meetinghouse. Even though it was not yet completed, lacking windows, doors and even a floor, it became the venue for a general conference of the Church in 1886. Fundraising was a challenge for the residents in pioneer Provo, but the cost of about $100,000 was finally raised and the Tabernacle was dedicated April 17, 1898. For the next century it would serve as a center for the community.
A Center of Industry and Commerce
A railroad linked Provo with Salt Lake City in 1873, and another line provided a connection with Colorado a decade later. This enabled Provo to become a center of industry and commerce. In 1872, the Provo Woolen Mills became one of Utah’s first large factories, with more than 150 employees. In 1922, Columbia Steel built its Ironton plant just south of Provo; it closed in 1962. World War II brought the much larger Geneva Steel mill, which continued as a major part of the local economy until it was closed in 2001. More recently, different kinds of enterprises have become important. For example, Provo is the world headquarters for Nu Skin International, founded in 1984, which is a multilevel distributer of personal care products and dietary supplements.
Provo and Education
Education has been important to families in Provo from the beginning. The pioneer fort was the setting for the first school. The Brigham Young Academy was founded in 1875. This school grew into what is now Brigham Young University (BYU). With a student body of over 33,000, it is the largest church-affiliated university in the United States. BYU's students quickly outgrew the Brigham Young Academy Building on University Avenue, and the school expanded to its present extensive campus in northeast Provo beginning in 1911. The historic academy building has been restored into what is now Provo’s public library. BYU’s academic and cultural programs, athletics and high moral standards have attracted national attention while enriching the local community.
Utah Valley University, now located in nearby Orem, also had its beginning in Provo as the Central Utah Vocational School, founded in 1941. By 1967 it was known as the Utah Technical College. Soon the school’s offerings expanded beyond vocational classes, and it moved to the larger Orem campus in 1977.
Provo and Utah County
Provo is the seat of Utah County. The neoclassic Historic Utah County Courthouse, located across the street from the tabernacle, opened in 1926 at a cost of over $567,000. More recently, adjacent buildings have been erected to accommodate various state and county functions. The city hall on West Center Street opened in 1972.
Church Growth in Provo
Latter-day Saint stakes have multiplied as population has grown. Mormon wards (smaller local congregations) as well as congregations of other faiths have supported the spiritual life of Provo. The Provo Utah Temple, dedicated in 1972, became the 15th Latter-day Saint temple worldwide.
The Importance of the Provo Tabernacle
For over a century the Provo Tabernacle was at the center of the city’s educational, cultural and spiritual life. In December 2010 a devastating fire left only the brick walls standing. Provo residents wondered what the future might be of the historic and beloved building. On October 1, 2011, Church President Thomas S. Monson announced that it would be rebuilt as Provo’s second temple. Construction was completed in the fall of 2015. Following the open house early in 2016, the Provo City Center Temple will be dedicated March 20, becoming the 150th temple worldwide. Provo’s two temples are only 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) apart, making them the closest two temples anywhere in the world.