Heber
City is located in the beautiful Heber/Midway Valley between the Wasatch and Uinta
mountain ranges at 40.50 degrees north and 111.41 degrees
west, along Hwy 40, about 18 miles south of Park City, 16 miles
southeast of Kamas,19 miles from Provo and Brigham Young University,
and just 35 miles from Salt Lake City and the University of Utah and the
Jazz.
Heber elevation is 5,612 feet above sea level. Heber City's population in
the 2000 Census was 7,291. Heber City covers 4.05 sq miles of land
Heber Valley is located in Wasatch County, between the Wasatch and Uinta
Mountains. The entire population of Wasatch County that
includes Midway, Heber, Wallsburg, and Daniels is about 15,000.
Housing
Homes in Midway reflect the influence of the early pioneers’ Swiss
heritage. Local building materials for those homes include native "pot
rock" sandstone and brick. Architecture styles range from Prairie Style,
Arts and Craft bungalows, to grand estates, from log cabins to sprawling
ranches. Prices for single-family homes go from slightly under $100,000 to
nearly $10 million. The average sale price of homes is under $200,000.
Some of the homes are clustered while others sit on 5 or more acres. You
can find a magnificent mountain home or a manicured subdivision
contemporary.
Heber Lifestyle
Heber
City is a rural community with all the benefits of an urban environment
without having the urban problems. Midway-Heber Valley with it’s
distinctive pattern of alfalfa fields, the winding tree lined path of the
Provo River which was once known primarily as a dairy and mining community
maintains it's rural mountain atmosphere and offers easy access to the
urban cultural centers of Utah. Numerous restaurants and shops line the
commercial areas of Heber City. The simple beauty of the snow peaked
mountains and rich agricultural land has earned Heber Valley the title
"Switzerland of America" from the
pristine mountains, to shopping, to the quiet streams, homeowners can easily
find relaxation and adventure.
Heber City Recreation
The Midway-Heber Valley is the center of recreation and leisure living in Utah.
About 9 miles to the South on Hwy 40 is the Deer Valley Gondola and the
East Entrance to Deer Valley Ski Resort via Deer Crest, Sundance is south
past Deer Creek Reservoir about 24 miles.
Wasatch State Park has 36 holes for
golf and the
Homestead Resort offers an 18 hole course. Encapsulated by the Jordanelle
Reservoir to the North and Deer Creek Reservoir to the South, fisherman
catch small mouth bass, rainbow and brown trout, perch, and
walleye. The tailwater fisheries below each of these reservoirs are Blue
Ribbon rated and offer sections for both Catch and Release and limited
slot catch.
During warmer weather, Heber City is
host to an annual Native American Powwow, the High School State Rodeo
Finals, a demolition derby, fair days, experimental aircraft fly-in,
cowboy poetry, an antique car show,
concerts
in the park, and several other rodeos and festivals. the scenic region is
also a popular area for backpackers who enjoy exploring the Wasatch
Mountains. Residents also enjoy rideing on the historic Heber Valley
Railroad, golfing, and mountain biking. The locations of area hot springs
are closely guarded secrets.
In winter, homeowners enjoy skiing
at Park City and from Sundance Ski Resort.. Cross snowmobiling, country
skiing and snowshoeing enthusiasts enjoy 16-mile world-class trail system
of Soldier Hollow.
Attractions
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The Historic Heber Valley Railroad, 450 S. 600 West, has a
turn-of-the-century steam engine which departs from Heber City and Vivian
Park in Provo Canyon on regularly scheduled tours year-round; (435)
654-5601. Once known as the "Heber Creeper,’ this railroad line has 16
miles of track between the valley and Vivian Park in Provo Canyon. The
train features authentically restored vintage coaches and a 1904 working
steam locomotive offering two trips daily, May thru October.
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Deer Creek State Park, 7 miles SW of Heber City on US Hwy 189, in eastern
end of Provo Canyon on Deer Creek Reservoir. The park encompasses about
3,000 acres.
Phone - (801) 654-0171
This park is popular for picnicking, water sports,waterskiing,
Windsurfing, sailing, boating, fishing and camping. Boat and water ski
rentals are available. There are concessions at the marina.
-
Jordanelle State Park - (801) 783-3030
This state park is located on the Jordanelle Reservoir. It offers boating,
camping and picnicking.
Wasatch Tabernacle in Heber was built in 1889 of sandstone. It now houses
the city hall. Call (801) 654-3666 for more information.
-
Wasatch County Fairgrounds
590 S 600 W
Heber City, Utah 84032
Phone: 435-654-2597
Climate
the Midway-Heber Valley enjoys early springs and long
golden autumns. Winters are relatively mild compared to nearby Park City.
It’s not unusual to see lawns lush enough to mow in the middle of winter
due to the presence of significant underground thermal springs.
The climate for Heber is seasonal
with an annual rainfall of 14.5 inches per year. The mountainous areas receive almost
double the amount of snowfall each year with over 80 inches of snow
annually. the average temperature is 54.4 degrees F, the average low is
24.7 degrees in the winter and the average high in the summer is 89.9
degrees.
Nature
Wildlife populations include sandhill cranes, Canada geese, many varieties of waterfowl as well as
upland bird populations of grouse, and pheasant. Moose, elk, mule deer,
fox and coyote are still abundant and are seen throughout the year.
Transportation
Heber has an airport that
accommodates small private planes and small jets with an impressive museum collection of WWII vintage planes. Residents
are treated to occasional shows of Bi-planes and vintage fighters
performing aerial maneuvers. Valley thermals attract glider pilots as
well.
History
This area was named for Heber C. Kimball. He was a counselor in the Mormon
Church presidency to Brigham Young. The majority of people who
lived in
the valley were from England. Heber C. Kimball was a missionary in that
same part of England. Out of respect for him, they used his name, Heber,
for their new community. Before the naming, the area was just called Upper
Provo Valley. Heber City is a beautiful, picturesque area known for its
recreational value and panoramic vistas
In 1858, three men, William M. Wall, George W. Bean and Aaron Daniels
built up ranches in the Heber Valley. At the same time, J.W. Snow, from
Provo, surveyed the land and set up 20 acre farmsteads. Again, in 1858, a
road between Heber Valley and Utah Valley was built. Within two years, the
Heber area had grown with other 200 people living and working there. Heber
was designated the county seat for Wasatch County in 1862. William M. Wall
was made the leader in the area. The city was incorporated in 1889
Utah. Heber Valley was first settled in 1858, with the first permanent
residents staying in 1860. Heber City was incorporated into a city in
1889.
Before 1857, the area now known as Wasatch County, of which Heber City is
a part, was the occasional abode of Indians that roamed through the
territory. The first white men to traverse the county were Spanish Friars
who were looking for a passageway between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and
Monterey, California. Between the summer of 1776 and the beginnings of
settlements in 1858, only hunters and trappers frequented the area in
search of beaver and mink. Often they followed in the trails and footpaths
worn into the earth by Indians.
In 1858, approximately ten years after the Mormons arrived in Salt Lake
Valley, William M. Wall, George W. Bean and Aaron Daniels established
ranches in Heber Valley. In that same year, J.W. Snow, a surveyor from
Provo, Utah, laid a section of land north of the present city and divided
it into 20 acre farm steads. Also, during 1858, a road was constructed
through Provo Canyon, connecting Heber Valley and Utah Valley. By Spring
of 1860 there were over 200 people busy and working the valley and by
winter 1860, eighteen farmers had decided to make Heber Valley their
permanent home.
In 1862, the legislature established Wasatch County with Heber as the
county seat. Most of the early settlers were Mormons from Utah Valley.
They appointed William M. Wall as their leader.
Heber City, named after Heber C. Kimball, a Mormon official, was
incorporated in 1889. Most of the people who settled this valley were
emigrants from England. Heber C. Kimball was a missionary in that certain
part of England where these immigrants came from. The people respected and
admired him and thus named this valley after him. Before this time, it was
simply called Upper Provo Valley.
In 1889, a branch of the Denver & Rio Grand Western Railroad connecting
Heber City with the "outside" world was completed and in 1909, the people
of the valley completed construction of the Heber Light and Power
generation system. A telephone exchange was set up in a private home in
1901 and served 12 telephones, mostly to doctors and professional men.
The current Heber City Office Building was formerly the Wasatch Stake
Tabernacle. The building was built with donated labor and materials
starting in 1887. Cost of the building was more than $30,000. The red
sandstone was quarried by hand from mountains east of Heber in Lake Creek
and the shingles, on the tower of the building, were cut from sheet metal.
The building was dedicated on May 5, 1889.
In 1964 the future of the Tabernacle building was in jeopardy. Church
leaders announced the building would be torn down to make room for a new
Stake Center. Signatures of 1,366 were obtained and presented to the First
Presidency of the L.D.S. Church and a decision was made to preserve the
building if an alternate site for a new Stake Center could be found. An
alternate site was found and the building was saved. A Wasatch Wave report
dated September 3, 1965 announced that the deed to the Tabernacle was
presented to Mayor Raymond Jiacoletti and the Heber City Council. The
Tabernacle was used as a summer theater for a few years but gradually fell
into disuse. Again there was a threat of the building being torn down. On
July 18, 1987 the Wasatch Wave reported the outcome of a special bond
election: "In a history-making bond election Tuesday, Heber City residents
approved the City Council's proposal to issue $350,000 in bonds to restore
the Heber City Tabernacle for use as a City Hall." The beautiful building
was saved and restored. The building stands proudly in the center of town
as a reminder of those early pioneers, as a point of interest to those
passing through, as a foundation for those living in the Valley and as a
symbol of strength and pride to future generations.
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