The Polygamists of Utah

I'm on vacation in southern Utah. On the drive between St. George Utah and Kanab-- the gateway to some beautiful southwest landscape and the filming spot for many of the old westerns-- you pass a town called Colorado City. The judge, until very recently, in that town has 32 children and I'm assuming they didn't all come from the same wife. The town is located in a strange place. I believe that is is technically an Arizona town, but the way the states are laid out the closest major towns are in Utah so policing the town is difficult for the Arizona police force. There is a book about this town called The Polygymists.

I decided to stop on my way back from day hiking outside Kanab. The town's primary houses are large, barn-like, unadorned two-story box houses that seem 2,400 to 4,000 square feet. I've heard that the reason these houses are not finished on the outside and have instead construction material on the exterior as opposed to regular siding is that if a house is completed the tax rate is much higher than for a partially constructed home.

I stopped at the local grocery store and was the only female shopper not wearing a home-made style ankle-length Little-House-on-the Prairie dress. The manager kept a close eye on me while I was there. I smiled at the women shoppers (there weren't any men shopping) and the children. Most of them avoided looking at me. I haven't often experienced the sensation of being looked at suspiciously, but that's the best word I have for the cold looks I received back. Only three patrons smiled back at me.

I thought my presence would be a good example to the young woman of the opportunities for a woman outside of this town. I've heard that the incest rate for Mormon girls is quite high and I wondered as I looked at these pretty and extremely clean looking young girls if that was happening to them. I wondered if that was part of the reason for their suspicion.

As I stood in line to pay, I questioned my motives and wondered if I was acting inappropriately bby stopping as if this town was a zoo and I was there to see some interesting foreign animals. I held a private conversation with myself wondering if it was fair of me to judge their community as harmful to woman. I could see that there might be something delightful and comforting to grow up in such a close knit community. How much of a role model am I as a never-married 42 year old woman with no children. They might see my lack of family and marriage as sad. I have to admit this was the first time I've seen youngsters sliding through a grocery store in giggling pleasure without critical glares from other shoppers. That yucky little grocery store had a sense of community. Not every town in America can boast that virtue.

Comments

[Just a Reader]

...just an anonymous little note to tell "keep posting." You're being read, and what you write is appreciated...

[Teri]

I did a blog search for Utah hiking and found your post. I lived in the Seattle area for 13 years. I now live in Utah. While I haven't been to Colorado City - I am familiar with the stark contrast of cultures between the two places. Nice post.

[Judith Clark]

I haven't been to Colorado City but to many other places in Utah. Don't think that sense of "community" helps when some mean, old geezer decides to marry you off to his brother who is even more of a geezer. The lifestyles in many small
towns in America have a sense of community, while the 12,13 and 14 year old girls don't have to worry about being the third or fourth wife,read "baby machine" to some whack job in the back of beyond.
By the way, I like your blog!