The Relic Home, photo by Randee Ryan

While our granddaughters were visiting us, we took them to the Relic Home located on Utah Highway 89 in Mt. Pleasant, UT.   This was another one of those wonderful events to do with little or no cost.  The Relic Home features an interesting look into the past generation’s lifestyle, the clothes they wore, the living areas, the equipment that they used, and all without the electronics we enjoy today.

Our granddaughters thought this was so exciting since they had just received a Prairie Diamond ring from the Blacksmith shop located next to the Relic Home,  in Mt. Pleasant, UT.  Owner, Pete Hafen was working in his shop during our visit, and made each of the girls a ring.

Continuing our travels  south on Highway 89, we came across the town of Salina, UT.  There we discovered a wonderful western shop to visit. There was not so much different from this shop and the shops in our former state of Colorado, except for an item that they carry in their jewelry department.  We saw the prairie Diamond rings for sale.  The girls were really excited to see their new prized possession on display in the Burns Saddlery!

Family owned since 1876

 

 

The Prairie Diamond, Then and Now

Prairie Diamond Rings

This is a very sweet poem that depicts the resolve that so many of our ancestors had.  While the Mormon pioneers crossed the plains many young men and women met their soon to be spouse.  Without any way to save for a wedding ring, a sympathetic blacksmith came up with the perfect solution.

Prairie Diamond

As the settlers came west to settle their land,

Many of the youth walked hand in hand.

Some fell in love and wanted to marry,

But, money and jewelry they did not carry.

A kind young blacksmith knew just what to do.

He bent the nail from an old horseshoe.

The Prairie Diamond  was the name of the ring. 

So much happiness it surely did bring.

During the early days of the Mormon settlement of Nauvoo, Illinois, a blacksmith and a wagon shop was family business owned by Chauncy Webb and it included the talents of his father and his brothers to provide the much needed services in the LDS community.  The blacksmith shop along with a wagon shop was located on the corner of Parley and Granger Streets.  The blacksmiths furnished the iron parts for the wheels, and the wheelwrights were the experts in wheel construction of the wheels.  This was a vital service needed when the LDS community began their trek west to the Salt Lake Valley.  During the height of the bustling community there were forty-eight blacksmiths and fourteen members listed as members of the Nauvoo Coach and Carriage Manufacturing Association.

Historic Webb Blacksmith Shop in Nauvoo, Illinois

Today, in Nauvoo, Illinois there are still blacksmiths that make and give out Prairie Diamonds to everyone that visits their blacksmith shop. Now Nauvoo is not the only place with a working blacksmith shop.  Mt. Pleasant, Utah has a working shop owned and operated by Pete Hafen, located at the Relic Home.  He also makes the Prairie Diamond and gives these out to visitors.

In 1997 as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began their reenactment of their trek from Nauvoo, two young singles meet and fell in love.  Without a means of an engagement to present to the young lady, a blacksmith gladly provided the prospective groom with a special Prairie Diamond to present to his new fiancee.

The Prairie Diamond received its name due to the diamond shape stamped on the head of the nails, representing the manufacturer, the Diamond Company.

 

 

 

Share Your Family Heritage Before It Is Lost

The delightful surroundings of our new home were in direct contrast from our former city dwelling.  Our old neighborhood was much larger than the entire city of Mt. Pleasant, Utah.

State Street, Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Photo courtesy of Mikayla Ryan

The homes in Colorado were much closer together; the covenants were strict, the noise of heavy traffic, busy streets, and all that  goes with suburban living were suddenly replaced.   Now we found ourselves  one block from the center of town, rarely do we hear traffic, (this only happens when a large semi comes through town).  Walking downtown among the charming aged buildings sent our thoughts in a twirl wind of images of a past long ago.

The original buildings in downtown Mt. Pleasant, Utah.

Each building has a  plaque describing the original use and who owned it. Visiting and living in a historic  town has so much of yesteryear that we have forgotten.  I so wish that this was the case of the towns my ancestors help to establish.  I would love to walk the streets and tell my grandchildren of their heritage.  Thankfully, we have country living at its very best. We can incorporate the stories of our families with the surroundings of the historic buildings still standing. The old blacksmith shop at the corner of the Relic Home is amazing.

Photo courtesy of Mikayla Ryan

Walking through the door seems to embrace one senses of longing for a time that quickly faded away.  We realized that the only way our family heritage would survive another generation was to tell everything that we could remember from the stories our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents shared with us when we were younger. This became our mission, salvage any and all that we could remember and begin to share our heritage with our grandchildren.  On their first visit to our new home, we took them downtown.  We stopped at each building to learn what we could.  After touring the town we went home to sit by the fireplace to talk about the “Good Old Days.” The children loved this and wanted more and more.  Of course smores didn’t hurt!  

Mt. Pleasant 4th of July Parade

Showing Respect For the Flag during the July 4th Parade in Mt. Pleasant, UT. Photo courtesy of Mikayla Ryan

All I can say is WOW!   I have never experienced something as wonderful as the 4th of July in Mt. Pleasant, Utah.   Being abruptly awakened first thing in the morning we were greeted with the report of the cannons paying tribute to the very reason we celebrate July the 4th in the United States.   Loud booms, some very close and others farther away, echoed up and down the valley of Sanpete, as the cannons were firing their rounds for a cannon salute.

Enjoying the Mt. Pleasant, Utah July 4th Parade Photo courtesy of Mikayla Ryan

Next was breakfast in the park, followed by the Mt. Pleasant 4th of July Parade.

Mayor David Blackham “Ringing the Bell For Freedom!” Photo courtesy of Mikayla Ryan.

During the parade, Mayor David Blackham’ s horse drawn carriage stopped in front of the Relic Home at 150 State Street, to officially “Ring the Bell for Feedom!” The Relic Home is part of the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area, on the Historic Utah Highway 89.  This is now the location of the Hamilton School bell.  It sat proudly in the bell tower to be rung for the commencement of the school day and the time at night to announce curfew in the town. Many personal histories that are housed within the Relic Home mention how they had wished that they could have rung that bell.  As a special celebration for the 4th of July the Relic Home made the bell available for anyone to ring, and sign the official document that will be preserved in the Home for generations to come.  If you missed ringing and signing the document this activity will continue until the 24th Of July Days of the Pioneers.

Be a Part Of History; Ring The Bell At The Relic Home

 

Photo courtesy of Mikayla Ryan

During the July 4th celebration until the Pioneer Days on July 24th in Mt. Pleasant anyone wanting to be a part of history in the making is invited to ring the bell at the Relic Home  and place their name on an official document that will become a part of the collection of the Relic Home.

Today that very sturdy bell is now a treasure of the Relic Home.   This historic bell will once again ring out loud and clear to all who wish to be part of history.  According to Arla May Stansfield Simpson the bell was rung precisely at 8:00  am by “Old Man” Ellertson, then again at 8:45 am to alert the coming of the hour 9:00 am and then again at curfew which was 9:00 pm.  The children would terminate their game of Kick the Can, Run Sheep Run or helping themselves to apples or cherries from a nearby yard, and make a dash for home.

For 75  years the bell of Hamilton School rang for the commencement of the school day.  It was also rung for the warning of fire, danger, calls to all within the sound range to come to town.

A wonderful blog titled, A Day At School ~ written by Talula Nelson ~ taken from History of Arla May Stansfield Simpson’s History presents us with  glimpses into the past for the many school children that attended Hamilton School.

Photo courtesy of Mikayla Ryan

For a $1.00 donation you can become a lifetime member of the Relic Home. Donations help to fund the upkeep and renovations required to maintain this historic treasure.

http://www.mormonpioneerheritage.org/

http://sanpete.com/pages/mormon_pioneer_heritage

http://hamiltonelementaryschoolpictures.blogspot.com/