Parowan is a small city in Iron County, Utah, United States. It is the county seat and has a population of about 3,100, according to the 2018 census. Some of the things to do in Parowan include the Old Rock Church, Parowan Gap Petroglyphs, and Heber Valley Railroad. There is also a community theater.
Old Rock Church
The Old Rock Church in Parowan, Utah, is a landmark that is over a century old. Originally, it was a log meeting house built by Iron County Missionaries. The church sat about 800 people and included classrooms and an amusement room in the basement. President Brigham Young visited the church in April 1870. The church served as the center for pioneers traveling south from Salt Lake City. Eventually, many of these pioneers established settlements in Arizona and Nevada.
Parowan was founded on 13 January 1851 as part of the Iron County Mission. It was led by Elder George A. Smith and later joined by other settlers. The local community built the Old Rock Church as a place for worship and gathering. The building was constructed by a group of craftsmen and community members with a wide range of skills.
Eventually, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began to grow in numbers and sent missionaries to other parts of the world. In addition, the Parowan Stake sent missionaries to various countries. The Catholics have also occasionally held services in Parowan.
Parowan is also home to the Parowan United Methodist Church. The church has sixty parishioners and about 40 weekly attendees. The congregation has also hosted national and international missionaries and gospel artists. At present, the Old Rock Church is listed under historical place museums and tourist attractions. It has received 35 reviews and 4.6 stars.
The Old Rock Church in Parowan is a historic building that was built in 1863. Its balcony was modeled after the Salt Lake City Tabernacle. The church has undergone many transformations. It has been used for worship, town council meetings, a school building, a social hall, and a tourist camp. The building was restored in the 1940s. It is located on Main Street between Center Street and 100 South.
Parowan Gap Petroglyphs
Parowan, Utah is a small city located in Iron County. The population was 2,790 at the 2010 census and is estimated to be around 3,100 as of 2018. The city is the county seat. The city is home to several attractions. The main attractions include the Parowan Historical Museum, the Utah State University, and several parks.
A quick detour off Interstate 15 leads to the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs site. The petroglyphs are made on Navajo sandstone that was exposed by an ancient river. This site was visited by Fremont people thousands of years ago. It was also visited by early Mormon settlers who left their marks here. Paiute and Hopi people also consider this area sacred.
For those who are looking for a little adventure, there are many trails to hike and explore. Parowan’s Red Hills Trail and Panguitch Lake Trail are two popular hiking trails. You can also backcountry camp at the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs. The area is home to many historic structures, including the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs and the Parowan Gap Archaeological District.
During your visit, you can explore the Parowan Gap. It is a 10.5-mile drive from Parowan. There are restrooms, paved pathways, and informative signs that explain the history and geology of the area. You can easily spend an hour exploring the park.
Parowan is a small town located in Southern Utah. It is close to the national parks of Bryce Canyon and Zion. It is also home to the Iron County Heritage Museum. Families should also take the kids to the Parowan City Park, where they can play in the splash pad or playground. In the winter, you can go sledding. Parowan also has many great restaurants.
You can also explore the town’s history by visiting the Parowan Visitor Center at 5 South Main Street. While you’re there, you can take part in a Historical Walking Tour of the old town. The oldest church building in Southern Utah is located here. The museum contains artifacts of pioneers.
Heber Valley Railroad
In 1970, a group of rail enthusiasts decided to rescue the long-defunct D&RGW Railroad from the brink of oblivion. This group, which included Charles “Chick” Neilsen, J. Rodney “Rod” Edwards, Gordon Wheeler, and Doug Brown, moved UP 618 from the Utah State Fairgrounds to serviceable rails in Heber before the D&RGW cut the branch at Provo. The group also included local businessmen and railroad enthusiasts who decided to save the railroad from dissolution.
Heber Valley Railroad began operation in 1971, but it operated under several names until the late 1990s. Originally called the “Heber Creeper” railroad, it now goes by its present name. However, there is a two-mile section between Vivian Park and Bridal Veil Falls that is not currently operated, mainly due to safety concerns.
Located in Heber City, Utah, the Heber Valley Railroad is an historic tourist attraction and Utah’s premier steam passenger railroad. Its trains wind through farmland, follow the shores of Deer Creek Lake, and descend into the breathtaking canyon of Provo Canyon. It carries over 94,000 passengers each year.
Community theater
In the early 1900s, movie theaters offered a window to the world. Children spent Saturday mornings watching cartoons, and grownups took in newsreels before the feature films. Grandparents often hosted dinner parties at the theater, too. Today, single-screen movie houses are no match for multiscreen complexes and Netflix, and many have closed. But in Utah, some community theaters are reviving in prime real estate.
The community theater in Parowan, Utah has hosted a number of productions over the years, and the town is known as a gateway town for tourists and residents. The Utah Southern Games and the Iron County Fair are just a couple of annual events held in the town, and it also hosts an annual summer solstice program. The town is also home to the Utah Patchwork Parkway, which leads directly into Zion National Park and Brian Head Ski Resort.
The Aladdin Theatre, which opened in the 1920s, was donated to the city of Parowan and renovated in the 1990s. Since then, the community theater has hosted a variety of events, including original plays, musicals and children’s plays. In addition, it has hosted Christmas programs, talent shows, professional performances, and town meetings.
The Parowan Community Theater has been renovated twice. It seats 306 people, and hosts the annual Bicknell International Film Festival. It was refurbished in the early 1990s by the city’s Main Street Program and the Parowan Heritage foundation. In addition, it hosts Parowan Community Theatre productions and showcases local talent.
