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Other items of
interest include several historic cabins, a large collection of
horse-drawn farm equipment, and a replicated pioneer household.
The Museum:Lack of iron was a major concern to
pioneers who began settling in Utah in 1847. When iron deposits were
discovered in southern Utah, Mormon leader Brigham Young called for
volunteers to colonize the Iron Mission area. A site near Coal Creek,
now Cedar City, was selected in November 1851 for the iron works. Ten
months later, the colony completed construction of a small blast furnace
and began to operate the iron foundry. Despite its initial success, the
Iron Mission faced many difficulties. Financial troubles, floods, heavy
freezes and furnace failure took their toll. In addition, a crop
shortage threatened starvation. The people persevered in the face of
these obstacles, but the foundry was eventually closed in 1858.
Some three decades ago, progressive citizens of Cedar City and Iron
County saw the merit of preserving their heritage, both for themselves
and for the enjoyment of thousands of area visitors. They asked the
Union Pacific to donate its depot and grounds for development of an
historical park. The railroad had other ideas for the property, but the
people found an alternative. Working through their elected officials
they created Iron Mission State Park Museum in July 1973. The current
museum opened in 1980.
Though originally named for the pioneering attempts of Mormon
settlers to create an iron industry, the park grew and expanded around
Gronway Parry's collection of horse drawn vehicles and agricultural
implements, and is now referred to as Frontier Homestead State Park
Museum. Over the years other programs and activities have been added
such as pioneer craft demonstrations, rotating art exhibits,
interpretive lectures, guided curation tours, and a Junior Curator
program.
In addition, Frontier Homestead now manages the historic ruins of
Old Iron Town, an iron foundry west of
Cedar City that operated in the 1860s - 1870s. Additional information
can be obtained at the museum visitor desk.
Frontier Homestead State Park Museum
Formerly Iron Mission State Park
Museum
635 North Main Street
Cedar City, UT 84721
(435) 586-9290
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