Overview
Parowan is the first settlement in Utah. And though at first its natural reserves seem relevantly young and untouched, they probably are. Such is the contrasting beauty of the “Mother Town of Southern Utah”, surrounded by several homes and business buildings that bore witness to its very first settlements. You could trace back it’s complete history simply by strolling along a tree-lined Main Street alone, but its museums and other attractions still hold their own charms. Numerous historic sites, historic cemetery, and pioneer museums are just some of the historic sites available for a nostalgic back through Utah’s firsts.
Exploring the City
Utah’s gateway is reachable via Interstate 15, promising some of the most stunning scenic attractions you’d see on the road. The county seat of Iron County is home to Utah’s Patchwork Parkway Historic Byway 143, which passes through national and state parks, along with a collection of natural geologic formations touted as the world’s most beautiful. Before exploring the rest of the city, start by visiting the Parowan City Visitor’s Center, built in 1915 and continues to welcome thousands of visitors annually. Aside from getting free brochures and other forms of information, tourists can purchase souvenirs, cups, books, and other memorabilia from the center. Parowan is considered a perennial gateway to the Cedar Breaks National Monument and Brian Head Resort. Book your Parowan Hotels with Reservations.com
Fast Facts
The city was incorporated in 1851 as Utah’s first settlement. It first served as a strong agricultural support base for the nearby iron industry in Cedar City. Its first known inhabitants were Anasazi and Fremont Indians. There were petroglyphs and other artifacts dating from 750 found along the trails.
The iron industry ceased because of its utterly disappointing yields. Instead, Parowan relied on its other industries, tourism and recreation.
Tourists flock the area to see the petroglyphs of Parowan Gap, where ancient Indians inscribed on the boulders along the Old Spanish Trail.
Parowan was also known as the City of Little Salt Lake. It has subsequently been touted as the “Mother Town of the Southwest” because of its origins. The communities of Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah had ancestors who were originally from Parowan.
Tourist Attractions
Parowan’s main industry relies heavily on tourists and recreation. It might not bring much ore and iron, but its fruits are everywhere—from the most recently built establishments to the new flocks of tourists settling by the week. It has been chosen as the site of the yearly Iron County Fair held each Labor Day weekend. Thousands visit the city for the Utah Summer Games and the Christmas in the Country celebration. Heritage Park is a recent development, featuring a pond, grotto, and a park. Among all these, Parowan’s best attraction is the series of Petroglyphs.
Best Museums
Historic sites include the Rose Garden, War Memorial, Old Rock Church, and the original town square. Tourists can explore the exhibits of the Jesse N. Smith Home Museum to see some of the artifacts recovered by the locals. Learn about the city’s history through the museum, or visit the historic sites yourself. Rock Church is Parowan’s Crown Jewel, with a balcony that was patterned after the Salt Lake City Tabernacle.
