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Cedar City Railroad Centennial
All Aboooaarrd!
In 1920, it was announced that a spur line from Lund to Cedar City was going to be built. TheUnion Pacific Railroad built the Cedar City Railroad Depot in 1923. The new rail line served the Zion National Park region and catered to the burgeoning tourism trade along with the iron ore and livestock industries in the area. As a result of the rapid growth of the tourism industry, the Union Pacific constructed lodges at Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Zion, Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Parks. They also helped to purchase hotels and buses to provide lodging and to transport park visitors from Cedar City’s depot to the dramatic natural wonders of southern Utah.
The inaugural train on the new rails carried President and Mrs. Warren G. Harding who arrived by train in Cedar City on June 27, 1923. They along with their guests and dozens of others came specifically to explore Zion National Park.
Over time, automobile traffic replaced the heavy reliance upon railroad travel, and the depot was closed to passenger service in 1959. The depot along with the commissary and the west and east mechanical shops remain as the only buildings that document the importance of rail service for tourism, agriculture, livestock, mining and manufacturing. Rail service in Cedar City for the first half of the twentieth century helped shape the City’s future. It was the rail spur and the train depot that brought recognition from all corners of the world. The Cedar City Union Pacific Depot was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
On behalf of the Cedar City Railroad Centennial Committee, we invite you to join us June 19 - 24, 2023 for a week-long celebration to commemorate the 100-year anniversary!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
All events are FREE and open to the public unless otherwise specified.
| MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2023 | |
| 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | To Iron and Beyond: History of the Railroad to Southern Utah Exhibition Location: SUU Campus, Gerald R. Sherratt Library, Special Collections |
| 12:30 p.m. | OPENING: Utah National Park Poster Exhibition Location: Iron County Visitor's Center, 581 North Main Street |
| 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. | CCRR Centennial Train Ride Location: Cedar Post Pawn Shop, 221 North 100 West |
| 2:00 p.m. | Utah Parks Company Historical Marker Dedication Location: the former site of the El Escalante Hotel (Town & Country Inn, 189 Main Street) |
| 3:00 p.m. | Utah Parks Company Commissary Historical Marker Dedication Location: Cedar Post Pawn Shop (221 North, 110 West) |
| 4:00 p.m. | Utah Parks Company Bus Garage Historical Marker Dedication Location: DecorWorx, 451 North Main Street |
| 5:30 p.m. | OPENING: Antiques and Ancestry Exhibition Display of Union Pacific and Utah Parks Company memorabilia Location: Library in the Park, 303 North 100 East |
| 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. | Railroad History Paint Night Enjoy an evening with friends and test your art skills capturing a moment in Railroad history. $20.00 per person. Location: Iron Springs Resort, 3196 North Iron Springs Rd. CLICK HERE FOR PAINT NIGHT TICKETS |
| TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2023 | |
| 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Utah National Park Poster Exhibition Location: Iron County Visitor's Center, 581 North Main Street |
| 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Antiques and Ancestry Exhibition Display of Union Pacific and Utah Parks Company memorabilia Location: Library in the Park, 303 North 100 East |
| 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | To Iron and Beyond: History of the Railroad to Southern Utah Exhibition Location: SUU Campus, Gerald R. Sherratt Library, Special Collections |
| 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. | CCRR Centennial Train Ride Location: Cedar Post Pawn Shop, 221 North 200 West |
| 6:00 p.m. | Historic Downtown Railroad Story Walking Tour Meet at Corner of Center Street and Main Street, 5 North Main Street |
| 7:00 p.m. | Historic Union Pacific Railroad Photographic Exhibition (1-night only) Location:The Cedars Hotel, 52 North Main Street |
| 8:00 p.m. | U.P. Memories and You Stories told about the Union Pacific Railroad and the Utah Parks Company. Location: The Cedars Hotel, 52 North Main Street |
| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023 | |
| 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Utah National Park Poster Exhibition Location: Visitor's Center, 581 North Main Street |
| 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Antiques and Ancestry Exhibition Display of Union Pacific and Utah Parks Company memorabilia. Location: Library in the Park, 303 North 100 East |
| 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | To Iron and Beyond: History of the Railroad to Southern Utah Exhibition Location: SUU Campus, Gerald R. Sherratt Library, Special Collections |
| 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | The Union Pacific Railroad Experience Day-long activities and discoveries regarding the impact of the railroad in southern Utah Location: Frontier Homestead State Park, 635 North Main Street |
| 11:30 a.m. | Railroad Scavenger Hunt Kick-Off Location: Frontier Homestead State Park, 635 North Main Street |
| 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. | CCRR Centennial Train Ride Location: Cedar Post Pawn Shop, 221 North 100 West |
| 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. | Family Night Games, activities and fun for the whole family Location: Frontier Homestead State Park, 635 North Main Street |
| THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023 | |
| 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Utah National Park Poster Exhibition Location: Visitor's Center, 581 North Main Street |
| 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Antiques and Ancestry Exhibition Display of Union Pacific and Utah Parks Company memorabilia Location: Library in the Park, 303 North 100 East |
| 9:00 a.m. | Railroad Scavenger Hunt Continues |
| 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | The Iron Horse Comes to Iron County: A History of the Railroad in Southern Utah Exhibition Location: SUU Campus, Gerald R. Sherratt Library, Special Collections |
| 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. | CCRR Centennial Train Ride Location: Cedar Post Pawn Shop, 221 North 100 West |
| 5:00 p.m. | Mural Art Unveiling at the Former Union Pacific Commissary Building Location: Cedar Post Pawn Shop, 221 North 100 West |
| 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. | Sing Away Social at the Depot Celebrating the historical significance of the Cedar City Train Depot with stories, Cedar City Community Band, National Park Lodge Sing-Away, entertainment, food, activities and prizes. Short program at 7:00 p.m. Location: Best Western Plus, 50 West 200 North |
| 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. | Neighborhood Slow Roll Bike, trike, stroller, skate and unicycle riders of all ages welcome to help promote active transportation. Location: Park Discovery, 2077 W. Royal Hunte Drive |
| 8:30 p.m. | Children's Movie Location: Park Discovery, 2077 W. Royal Hunte Drive |
| FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023 | |
| 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Utah National Park Poster Exhibition Location: Visitor's Center, 581 North Main Street |
| 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Antiques and Ancestry Exhibition Display of Union Pacific and Utah Parks Company memorabilia. Location: Library in the Park, 303 North 100 East |
| 9:00 a.m. | Railroad Scavenger Hunt Continues |
| 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | To Iron and Beyond: History of the Railroad to Southern Utah Exhibition Location: SUU Campus, Gerald R. Sherratt Library, Special Collections |
| 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. | CCRR Centennial Train Ride Location: Cedar Post Pawn Shop, 221 North 100 West |
| SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023 | |
| 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Utah National Parks Poster Exhibition Location: Visitor's Center, 581 North Main Street |
| 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Antiques and Ancestry Exhibition Display of Union Pacific and Utah Parks Company memorabilia Location: Library in the Park, 303 North 100 East |
| 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Railroad Scavenger Hunt Take your completed scavenger hunt form to the information tent at the Party-in-the-Park by 5:00 p.m. to redeem a commemorative prize located at Main Street Park (corner of 200 North and Main Street) |
| 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | CCRR Centennial Train Ride Location: Ride the train at the Party in the Park |
| 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Centennial Party-in-the-Park Featuring: Games, Food Trucks, Cedar Breaks Model A and Vintage Auto Club Cars, Cedar City Community Band, Children's Choir Location: Main Street Park, corner of 200 North and Main Street |
| 5:00 p.m. | President Warren G. Harding's Speech Re-enactment Hear President Harding and other dignitaries speeches from June 27, 1923 from the back of a replica of a Union Pacific train car. Location: Main Street Park, corner of 200 North and Main Street |
| 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Jazz Band Playoff Location: Centennial Stage, Party-in-the-Park, corner of 200 North and Main Street |
| 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Free Family Swim Cedar City Aquatic Center, 2090 W. Royal Hunt Drive |
| 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. | Outdoor Dance with Live Music Location: Centennial Stage, Party-in-the-Park, corner of 200 North and Main Street |
| MONDAY, JUNE 26 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 | |
| 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. | All Abboooard! Historic Union Pacific Photography Exhibition (closed Sundays) Location: Randall L. Jones Theater, 50 South 300 West Many of the photos were taken by Cedar City Native Son, Homer Jones (b. 1909 d. 2012) and the son of Randall L. and Lovina S. Jones. Approximately 70 historic photos which chronicle the Union Pacific Railroad in Cedar City and Utah's National Parks. |
| WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2023 | |
| 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | All Abboooard! Historic Union Pacific Photography Exhibition (closed Sundays) Location: SUU Campus, Gerald R. Sherratt Library |
| WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023 | |
| 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. | All Abboooard! Historic Union Pacific Photography Exhibition (closed Sundays) Location: Library in the Park, 303 North, 100 East |
