550 North University Avenue

Provo, Utah 84601




 



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Provo City Timeline

 

Date

 Event
Abt 1300 The ancestors of the Utes settled in Utah Valley.
Abt 1500 The Utes consisted of ten distinct bands, two of which occupied parts of Utah Valley. Utah Lake was the western edge of the area occupied by the Uintah band which extended from the lake eastward to the Uinta Basin and the Tavaputs Plateau (much of Uintah and Duchesne counties). The other band, the Timpamogots (Timpanogots, Timpanogos), dwelt along the southern and eastern shores of Utah Lake.
1776 Two Catholic Priests, Fathers Escalante and Domínguez led an expedition from Santa Fe that looped up into a corner of Utah Valley seeking a northern route out to California.
 1824-1825 Etienne Provost followed the Provo River down into Utah Valley and set up a trading post near Utah Lake
1847 Mormons from Salt Lake explored Utah Valley.
Mar 1849 First Mormon colonists left the Salt Lake Valley and headed out to establish a colony in the Utah Valley to the south. The group of about 150 individuals were under the leadership of John S. Higbee.
Apr 1849 The colonists began settling and constructing a fort, known as "Fort Utah", south of the Provo River The Provo River begins in the High Uintas and descends down through Provo Canyon into Utah Valley and empties into Utah Lake. and upstream a couple of miles from Utah Lake.
Apr 1850 New fort built northwest of the first one (where North Park is located).
1850 A log schoolhouse was constructed inside the 2nd fort.
1850 Territorial Legislature passed a law providing for certain men to have control of a stagecoach line from Ogden to Salt Lake City, Provo, Manti, and the county seat of Iron County. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975), 122.
1850 Log schoolhouse was constructed and school was taught there by Mary Ann Turner.
6 Feb 1851 City charter granted by the Territorial Legislature gave boundaries to the city, specified duties of elected officials, described duties of town residents, and provided for city council consisting of mayor, four aldermen, and nine councilors * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 265.
19 Mar 1851 Utah Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in Provo.
April? 1851 Ellis Eames began serving as Provo's first mayor. *Ellis Eames is listed as Mayor in the very first City Council minutes, 28 Apr 1851
1853 Territorial Legislature passed laws creating The Provo Canal and Irrigation Company. The Company was given one half of the water of the Provo River to manage for purposes of irrigation and generation of power. Also created at this time was the Provo Manufacturing Company. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 149.
18 Jun 1856 A sawmill constructed by John Mills and his son, Martin, began operation, sawing it's first logs.
1856 Contruction began on the first Tabernacle or "Old Meeting House." This building was basically completed in 1861, plastered in 1866-1867, and thereafter dedicated in 1867. The building stood facing Center Street until it was torn down in 1918.
Mid-1850s A two-story "seminary" building was constructed which was used as a school.
1858 Brigham Young and other Mormons desert Salt Lake City and move to Provo when a U.S. Army threatens to enter the Capital. * Kenneth L. Cannon, Provo & Orem: A Very Eligible Place: An Illustrated History (Northridge, Calif.: Windsor Publications,  1987) 121.
1859 Judge John Cradlebaugh convened court in Provo to investigate alleged LDS crimes. * Kenneth L. Cannon, Provo & Orem: A Very Eligible Place: An Illustrated History (Northridge, Calif.: Windsor Publications, 1987) 121.
1860-1861 Five schoolhouses were built, one for each district.
1860 Provo Fourth Ward schoolhouse was built at 100 East and 100 North. The building was used for church services until 1866 when the the 4th Ward chapel was constructed. * George Washington Bean, Autobiography of George Washington Bean, a Utah Pioneer of 1847, and His Family Records ([Salt Lake City, Utah]: Utah Printing Co., 1945).
1862 The City Council was changed to include a mayor and two aldermen and three councilors.
1862 Warren N. and Wilson H. Dusenberry arrived in Provo. Warren taught in the 1st Ward school for one year and then began his own.
1863? The Dusenberry school became the Timpanogos Branch of the University of Deseret.
21 Jan 1864 City council changed to a mayor, at least three aldermen, and five councilors.
1864 First canal completed to take water to Provo bench. * Kenneth L. Cannon II, Provo & Orem: A Very Eligible Place: An Illustrated History (Northridge, CA: Windsor Publications, 1987), 121.
1866 Provo Fourth Ward chapel constructed. * George Washington Bean, Autobiography of George Washington Bean, a Utah Pioneer of 1847, and His Family Records ([Salt Lake City, Utah]: Utah Printing Co., 1945).
1866 Taylor Brothers Store opened for business. They sold furniture initially, adding a music department in 1872, floor coverings in 1875, and stoves and hardware in 1888.
Dec 1866 Deseret Telegraph extended down through Provo and beyond. * Inventory of the County Archives of Utah. No. 25. Utah County (Provo) (Ogden, Utah: Utah Historical Records Survey, 1940), 33.
Spring 1867 Construction of the first Utah County Courthouse was completed.
1867

Provo Pressed Brick began to be used in addition to or instead of adobe bricks.
1867

The first Tabernacle or "Old Meeting House" was dedicated. Begun in 1856 and basically completed by 1861, this dedication did not occur until the plastering was complete. The building stood facing Center Street until it was torn down in 1918.
19 May 1869 The Transcontinental Railroad was completed.
1 Jun 1869 Timpanogos Manufacturing Company founded (later to become the Provo Woolen Mills).
abt 1870 The beginning of party politics in Utah. The People's Party and the Liberal Party both organized.
22 Sep 1870 Federal troops raided Provo. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 91-93.
Jan 1871 The Provo Co-op was founded. * Provo, Pioneer Mormon City (American Guide Series) (Portland, OR: Binfords & Mort, 1942), p. 116. 
1872 or 1873 First railroad reached Provo. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 123; Kenneth L. Cannon, Provo & Orem: A Very Eligible Place: An Illustrated History (Northridge, Calif.: Windsor Publications, 1987) 121.
1 Aug 1873 First Provo newspaper, the Provo Daily Times, published. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 126.
1875 William D. Startup began making candy in Provo.
1875 J. W. Hooper built the Provo Flour Mill at 500 North 200 West * The Daily Herald, 11 Feb 1930, 1.
16 Oct 1875 Lewis Building at 300 West Center Street purchased by Brigham Young. Brigham Young Academy founded.
1 Jan 1876 Warren Dusenberry appointed first principal for the first term of Brigham Young Academy.
3 Jan 1876 First classes of the Brigham Young Academy held in the Lewis Building at 300 West Center street.
21 Aug 1876 Brigham Young Academy dedicated.
18 Jan 1877 Ordinance increased the number of aldermen to four and the number of councilors to eight.
1877 Excelsior Roller Mills established by J. W. Hoover. * "Excelsior Roller Mills," Deseret Evening News, 15 Dec 1900, p. 20.
1877 Thomas Cordner family become the first to live on the Provo Bench for an entire year. * Kenneth L. Cannon, Provo & Orem: A Very Eligible Place: An Illustrated History (Northridge, Calif.: Windsor Publications, 1987) 121.
1878 First gravel sidewalks in Provo. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 284.
  Utah County silk industry organized. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 149.
1881 Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Provo. * Kenneth L. Cannon, Provo & Orem: A Very Eligible Place: An Illustrated History (Northridge, Calif.: Windsor Publications, 1987) 121.
1882 Esther C. Pulsipher had the Occidental Boarding House built (later known as the Hotel Roberts).
1883 Emily Clapp arrived in Provo and began a small Protestant school, the forerunner of the Proctor Academy. * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 27.
1883

The Provo 5th Ward was divided and the Lakeview Ward was created.
1883 Construction began on the Provo Tabernacle (Utah Stake Tabernacle).
Mar 1883 The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad was completed. The railroad ran from Denver to Salt Lake and route took it right through Provo.
14 Jun 1883 First telephone service in Provo. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 128.
15 Nov 1883 Emily Clapp opened a small Protestant school, the forerunner of the Proctor Academy. The school first met in the front room of what was the Daniel's house at 200 East and 200 South * "New Chapel Caps 75-Year History of Community Church," Daily Herald, 25 Oct 1956, p. 18
27 Jan 1884 The Lewis Building burned down. At that time the Brigham Young Academy was housed in the Lewis Building.
1 Mar 1884 The Congregational Church school moved from the Daniel's home to F. F. Bee's Harness Shop (on the south side of West Center street). They remained upstairs in the harness shop through 5 Sep 1887 after which the Proctor Academy opened. * "New Chapel Caps 75-Year History of Community Church," Daily Herald, 25 Oct 1956, p. 18. 
10 Sep 1885 William D. and Julia Maria Roberts purchased the Occidental Boarding House and renamed it the Hotel Roberts.
6 Apr 1886 General conference of the LDS Church held in the Provo Tabernacle.
6 Sep 1887 Proctor Academy Opened. The Academy was school run by the Congregational Church and was located on the Northwest corner of 100 South and 100 West.
13 Sep 1887 First long-distance phone service to Salt Lake City. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 128.
18 May 1889 City council approved 20-year franchise allowing the Rocky Mountain Telephone Company company to operate in Provo. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 129.
1889 First congregation of Lutherans of the Augustana Synod in Provo. * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 103.
1890 Provo school districts were consolidated into one school district which included the following schools: Central School (Fourth Ward), East School (First Ward), West School (Second Ward), Northeast School (Third Ward), North School no. 19, and Far North School.
1890 Electricity power came to Provo, initially to power the Provo Woolen Mills. * Inventory of the County Archives of Utah. No. 25. Utah County (Provo) (Ogden, Utah: Utah Historical Records Survey, 1940), 33.
15 Dec 1890 Mayor John E. Booth and Provo City Council signed an ordinance creating the Provo City Fire Department. * The Daily Herald, 8 Jul 1990, E1.
27 Feb 1891 American Baptist Church of Provo founded with fifteen members. * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 46.
5 Feb 1891 Provo Congregational Church incorporated. * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 29.
4 Jan 1892 First building of the Academy Square dedicated.
1892 Small Episcopalian mission begun, the origins of St. Mary's Episcopal Church. * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 70-71.
1892 Office of alderman abolished.
1892 First piped waterworks completed, using mostly wooden pipes. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 285.
1892 Timpanogos Elementary School built. This first Timpanogos School was demolished in 1938 and replaced in the following year by the new Timpanogos School which opened in 1939. * John Clifton Moffitt, A Century of Public Education in Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: [s.n.], 1944) 52, 69-70.
Nov. 1892

Schools were renamed: * John Clifton Moffitt, A Century of Public Education in Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: [s.n.], 1944) 52.

Central School became Parker School

East School became Webster School

West School became Franklin School

Northwest School became Timpanogos School

North School no. 19 became Page School

Far North School became Mountain School
1895 ZCMI (Zion's Clothing and Mercantile Institution) was established in 1895 and located at the intersection of 600 South and Academy (University) Avenue. * Wm. M. Wilson, Pictorial Provo: An Illustrated Industrial Review of Provo, the Garden City of Utah ([Provo: The Commercial Club], 1910).
1895 Startup Candy Factory built.* Emma N. Huff, compiler, Memories that Live: Utah County Centennial History ([Provo, Utah]: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1947), 126.
1896 Rio Grande Railway Company built branch line from Provo through Provo Canyon to Heber (Heber Creeper). * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 125.
3 Apr 1897 First meeting of the Seventh-day Adventists. * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 86.
1898 Maeser School built, replacing Webster School, which was sold off at that that time.
17 Apr 1898 Provo Tabernacle dedicated.
Jan 1901 Franklin School opened.
1901 Provo Commercial Club begun to promote local businesses. * William M. Wilson, Pictorial Provo: An Illustrated Industrial Review of Provo, the Garden City of Utah ([Provo, Utah: The Commercial Club], 1910).
1901 Brigham Young Academy renamed Brigham Young University
1 Feb 1902 First postal delivery. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 134.
1902 Sometime during this year was when the "Lettered" streets running North and South and the numbered streets running East and West were changed to the current numbering system. "J" street became Academy avenue (now University Avenue).
April 1902 The Provo 6th Ward was formed in April 1902 from portions of the Provo 1st and 2nd Wards. The Ward was bounded by University Avenue (Academy Avenue then) on the East, 500 West on the West, Center Street on the North and Utah Lake to the South (most lived above 600 South, however). These boundaries remained the same until the Spring of 1950 when the Provo 14th Ward was created by dividing the 6th Ward along 300 South.[1]. The 6th Ward building was located on the Northwest corner of 300 South and 200 West.
29 Nov 1902 Provo's First Church of Christ, Scientist incorporated. * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 82.
1903 Reed Smoot, a Provo resident, was elected to the U.S. Senate. The subsequent investigations and hearing prevent his being seated in the Senate for several years. Re-elected in 1908, he served until 1933.
1 Oct 1903 Provo General Hospital opened.
1905 City council approved an independent company receive a telephone franchise, greatly expanded phone service. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 129.
15 Dec 1906 The Farmers and Merchants Bank opened at the northeast corner of 3rd West and Center Streets.
1907 St. Mary's Episcopal Church was built on 200 North.
1907 First cement sidewalks in Provo *Sunday Herald, 23 Feb 1958, p. 1-C.
1908 The Parker School building was constructed. This was demolished in 1938 and replaced by the Joaquin School.
1908 The first Provo High School opened. This was located about where the Provo City Fire Department is now located off of Center Street in Downtown Provo.
Dec 1908 The Provo City Library began operating in the newly constructed Carnegie Library Building on the Northwest corner of 100 East and Center Streets.
1909 Bell Telephone received another 20-year franchise, and it merged with the independent company. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 129.
1909 U.S. President William Howard Taft pays a visit to Provo.
23 Feb 1910 The Methodists and the Congregational Church of Provo combined and the Church was renamed the Community Church *"New Chapel Caps 75-Year History of Community Church," Daily Herald, 25 Oct 1956, p. 18
1911 Provo Train station completed.
1912 A new Page School building was built. After some 40 years the school was closed and the building and real estate sold to BYU in 1958. The building was razed in July 1999 and replaced with a parking lot. * "Not Much Ado Over Demise of Y's Page School", Deseret News, 16 Jun 1999.
1912 First year commission form of city government, as mandated by 1911 state law for cities, like Provo, of the 2nd class. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 272.
1912 The "Timp Hike" an organized, annual event began and continued until 1972.
1912 Utah Power and Light occupied a structure at 56 and 58 North Academy Avenue that later became the Academy Theater during the 1930's.
1912 Provo High School established.
6 Nov 1912 Groundbreaking for old BYU Women's Gym.
20 Apr 1913 Pioneer Ward formed from the Provo 3rd Ward.
1913 The Salt Lake & Utah R.R. reached Provo (often referred to as the Orem Interurban).
1914 The Salt Lake & Utah R.R. was electrified.
1915 First paving of Provo streets. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 284.
1916 Orem Interurban Railroad extended from Provo to Payson. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 126.
1917 Provo City Fire Department purchased its first motorized fire engine.
1917-1918 World War I caused many men to enlist and serve in the armed forces. On the home front, Provo residents raised "victory gardens" in support of the war effort.
19 Jul 1918 Serious fire damaged the Provo Woolen Mills, which never recovered.
Winter-1918-19 Influenza epidemic.
1919 Work on the City-County Building began.
1919 The first Provo High School building opened. This building was replaced by the new Provo High School in 1956.
1919 The Provo bench area incorporated as a town and dubbed itself Orem.
Feb 1919 Provo's Congregational and Methodists merged to form the Provo Community Congregational Church. * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 31.
4 July 1919 Provo's official Independence Day celebration began and eventually grew into the largest celebration of its kind in the country.
1922 Ironton plant built by Columbia Steel Company in south Provo.
1923 The Proctor Academy, a parochial school run by the Congregational Education Society, was sold to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.). The Elks had been in Provo since 1903.
May 1924 First zoning ordinance passed by Provo, the first Utah municipality to create a zoning commission and pass such a law. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 288.
1925 Timpanogos Golf Course opened with 9 holes.
26 Jan 1926 City agreed to sell its share of the City-County building to Utah County.
1926 Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company established.
15 Dec 1926 City-County Building completed and dedicated.
9 Feb 1929 Provo Motor Company, an auto dealership, opened February 9, 1929 at 145 North University Avenue. The company was operated by G. M. Brockbank and John L. Coburn. * Evening Herald, 30 Jan 1929, p. 1
11 Feb 1930 The Provo Flour Mill, built in 1875 and located at 500 North 200 West, was completely destroyed by fire. * The Daily Herald, 11 Feb 1930, 1.
1930 A vocational school began which held classes in various parts of Central Utah until 1941 when it was placed directly in the Provo School district to administer.
1931 First services of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, part of the Missouri Synod.  * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 105.
1931 Dixon Jr. High and Farrer Jr. High both opened. Although the facilities first opened at this time, classes for these grades had been taught by the High School staff in the "Jr. High building" near the old High School since about 1920.
29 Jul 1935 First Cub Scout Pack in city begun by Provo Community Congregational Church.  * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986), 34.
Dec 1936 City's first Christmas parade. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 291.
1938  Provo Post Office dedicated at 90 West 100 North, north of the Federal Building. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 132.
5 Aug 1938 Museum in Sowiette Park officially opened. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 292.
late 1930s With WPA assistance streets were paved, sewer lines extended and waterworks were built. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 284-285.
1938 The WPA built a clubhouse/dance hall on the site of the golf course. Photographs of the building under construction are part of the "Remembering Provo" project: Golf Course Building and Golf Course Building 2
1938 Original Timpanogos Elementary School was razed to make way for the next Timpanogos Elementary School.
19 Feb 1939 The Utah Stake was divided creating the Provo Stake. The Provo Stake consisted of the Provo 1st, 5th, Manavu and Bonneville Wards. The Utah Stake retained the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, and Pioneer Wards.
1939 A new Timpanogos Elementary School opened.
1939 Joaquin School opened, replacing the Parker School.
1939 First members of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Provo. * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 119.
Jan 1940 Provo City completed construction of their own power plant and purchased the electrical distribution system from Utah Power and Light. * Max C. Elliott, "An Economic Study of Provo and Surrounding Area with Reference to Industry," unpublished paper "submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Pacific Coast Banking School.., August 1961, p. 34.
1940 Deer Creek dam and reservoir reaches completion.
26 Nov 1940 The City began a survey which showed the people wanted a garbage and refuse disposal system, which was implemented shortly thereafter.  * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 287.
1941 Provo Seventh Ward created.
25 Nov 1941 Deer Creek Dam completed, providing a major water resource for Provo. Deer Creek Dam is the main component of the Provo River Project and is an earthfill structure 235 ft high forming a reservoir with a capacity of 152,570 acre-feet. Located 16 miles northeast from Provo up Provo Canyon, the dam was constructed 1938-1941. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 286.
1941 First meeting of the Church of Christ in Provo. The Church started in Provo in  1941 and initially met in residential homes. By 1944 they acquired a large house at 867 East Center Street to meet in and in May of 1957 they relocated to 1055 South State Street in Orem. * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 133.
1941 Deer Creek Reservoir completed.
1941 The Utah Valley University opened in south Provo's old fairgrounds and buildings previously occupied by the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.).
1942 Assembly of God started.  * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 140.
1942 Provo purchased 160 acres of land in south Fork of Provo Canyon, including water rights on that land. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 283.
1942 Mural completed in the Federal Building by Everett C. Thorpe entitled "Early and Modern Provo". The mural was funded by the Treasury Department's Section of Painting and Sculpture (not WPA).
1942 The City installed parking meters. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 287.
1943 Geneva Steel plant built in Vineyard. It opened in 1944 and continued in operation until 2001.
11 May 1945 Church of the Nazarene organized with nine charter members.  * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 161.
1945

The Academy Theater opened in 1945 and finally closed on December 10, 1998. The theater had been located at 56 (later renumbered to 64) North University Avenue until it was torn down in the early months of 2004 to make way for the new Wells Fargo Building.
1946 Provo Bible Church organized, which in 1965 became the Evangelical Free Church.  * David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 151, 157.
1946 Barbizon Manufacturing Company came to Provo. Initially located on the block bounded by 100 North and 200 North, 100 West and 200 West, they later had to construct a new building up on 1230 North. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 166. They facility was closed sometime prior to September 1980.
1948 Regal Lanes bowling alley opened, initially with just 12 lanes.  * "Alley Owner Says Long Goodbye," The Daily Herald, 7 Apr 2002.
Jun 1948 Berg Mortuary was established in 1870 by Ole H. Berg and his son, Wyman. In the beginning they occupied a smaller facility at 40 East Center Street. In 1935 they purchased the Jesse Knight mansion at 185 East Center Street and moved their business to that location.
Jun 1948 Granite Furniture opened at the corner of 500 West and 1230 North.
23 Jul 1948 The "First Baptist Church" of Provo is located at 1144 Columbia Lane.* David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 169.
1949 Provo celebrated its centennial.
1949 Grandview Elementary School opened.
1950 The Provo Golf course came under city administration.
1952 Deseret Industries opened a facility in Provo occupying first the "Blumenthal Building" on the corner of 500 West and Center Street. By 1965 they had constructed a new building for their operations. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 166.
1952 The Regal Lanes bowling alley burned down and was rebuilt larger with 24 lanes. *"Alley Owner Says Long Goodbye," The Daily Herald, 7 Apr 2002.
1954 The Utah Valley University (previously known as Utah Technical College) occupied its north wing at a new location on North University Avenue.
1955 Telephone company building at 99 East 100 North first occupied.  *John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 129.
8 Aug 1955 Close vote of city voters in favor of council-manager form of government.  *John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 274.
Jan 1956 Council-Manager government implemented, with Harold Van Wagenen as mayor. * John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 274.
1956 First informal meetings of Protestant ministers, known as the Utah Valley Ministerial Association. *David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 207.
1956 JoLene Company opened on West Center Street. The company grew and later relocated to 350 South 1050 West.
5 Mar 1956 Earl Udall appointed city manager. *John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 274.
1956 The new Provo High School on North University Avenue opened.
13 Apr 1960 Debate over relative merits of different forms of city government seen in The Daily Herald article "Provo Attains Real Progress in 4 Years of City Manager Government."*John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 274.
Jun 1961 Provo Post Office moved to 100 South 100 West. *John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 134.
7 Nov 1961 City voters rejected city manager form of government in favor of return to city commission. *John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 274.
19 Dec 1961 Verl Grant Dixon, who had strongly urged a return to the commission form of government, was chosen mayor in a special election. *John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 275.
Jan 1962 Verl Grant Dixon began first term as mayor.
1963 The Central Utah Vocational School (now Utah Valley University) changed its name to Utah Trade Technical Institute.
1965 Deseret Industries opened in a newly dedicated facility on North State Street. This remained in operation until they constructed a new facility just to the north.
Jan 1966 Verl Grant Dixon began second term as mayor.
1967 The Utah Trade Technical Institute was renamed the Utah Technical College.
13 Mar 1968 after receiving input from several citizen committees, the city commission voted to build a new municipal building on Center Street.  *John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 294.
20 Aug 1968 City voters approved propositions for general obligation bonds to pay for the new city building and additional city parks. *John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 294-295.
1972 City government offices moved to the City Center between 300 and 400 West Center Street. *John Clifton Moffitt, The Story of Provo, Utah (Provo, Utah: J. C. Moffitt, 1975) 294.
1972 Provo City Housing Authority created.
1972 Univeristy Mall opens in Orem bringing about a shift and decline in shopping in downtown Provo.
Jul 1972 Provo City established the Redevelopment Agency to work on downtown parking problems.
Jun 1974 Master plan for Central Business District (CBD) completed.
1974 $195,000 in federal redevelopment funds secured for construction of CBD improvements, must be spent by 1 Jan 1975.
Mar 1978 Immanuel Baptist Church started, but it ended in 1984 when its pastor left town.  *David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 180-184.
1979 Novell was founded in Provo in 1979 with their headquarters located in Eastbay on 1800 South. Data Systems was incorporated in Provo. The name was changed in 1983 to Novell Inc.
1981 Harvest Bible Fellowship organized. *David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 186.
1981 Victory Chapel, later renamed The Potter's House, started by Pastor Manuel Vallejos.  *David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 194.
15 Sep 1982 Investors in Hawaii buy Knight Block and make commitment for its renovation.
7 Nov 1983 Fifteen downtown businesses had formal ribbon cutting ceremony for renovation project called Provo Towne Square at University Avenue and Center Street. {end-tooltip}. *Deseret News, 7 Nov 1983.
1984 Utah County's first interfaith conference involving Mormons, Catholics, and Protestants held at the Waterford School. *David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 222.
12 Jul 1984 Religious Freedom Rally held at Excelsior Hotel. *David M. Walden, Protestant and Catholic Churches of Provo (Provo: Brigham Young University, Center for Family and Community History, 1986) 223.
May 1985 Shriver's Clothing Store closed after 59 years of operation, then building purchased by investors in Hawaii. *Deseret News, 6 May 1985.
18 Jan 1986 J.C. Penny's at 85 West Center Street closed.
1989 The Provo City Library relocated the City Center Building at 451 West Center Street.
1990 Provo City Fire Department under Chief Bill Blair celebrated its centennial with several community activities.
July 1999 Page School was razed and replaced with a parking lot. *"Not Much Ado Over Demise of Y's Page School, Deseret News, 16 Jun 1999
8 Sep 2001 Academy building and new wing dedicated as the new Provo City Library at Academy Square.
2002 Provo was one of the venues of the 2002 Winter Olympics, featuring the Men's and Women's Hockey competitions.
Nov 2004 Hotel Roberts, having closed the previous year, was razed.
2006 Timpanogos Elementary school was demolished to make was for a new elementary school.
Spring-Fall 2006 Asen Balakchiev created the mural "History of Provo" along Freedom Blvd (200 West) just south of Center Street. *Heidi Toth, "International Artist Helps Beautify Provo," Daily Herald, 10 Aug 2006, D1.
17 Dec 2010 Provo Tabernacle destroyed by fire.
Last Updated on Saturday, 25 May 2013 15:42
 
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