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Show State of Utah Department of Community and Economic Development Division of State History Utah State Historical Society Michael O. Leavitt Governor MaxJ.Evans Director 300 Rio Grande Salt Lake City. Utah 84 \0 1-1l82 (801) 533-3500 FAX: 533-3503 TOD: 533-3502 cehistry.ushs@email.state.ut.us SINCE 1887 August 28, 1998 Mr. Jack Burns Rockville Historic Preservation Commission P.O. Box 630204 Rockville, UT 84763 Dear Jack: Enclosed please find the draft National Register nomination for the Grafton Historic District and site forms for the structures in the district. As I mentioned over the telephone, the information is a bit thin. I think much can be added and probably will need to be added in order to pass muster with the National Register folks . In my opinion, the significance of the district is not as well focused as it should be. I feel that the statement of significance needs to be centered around the idea that Grafton represents a 19th-century settlement-era community that barely survived (while many others failed), but which eventually failed in the early 20 th century because of technological changes and improvements that made other locations more favorable (specifically the construction of the Hurricane Canal and the opening of the Hurricane bench for farming and settlement). Grafton is one of the few remaining vestiges of those marginal settlements that struggled for survival. Most towns that survived have grown and changed over the years. Those that failed more quickly left little evidence of their existence. Grafton represents the middle ground--a town that survived in the pioneer era but was too marginal to continue in the modem era. The supporting history needs to be strengthened around this point and perhaps others you feel are relevant to the significance of the district. In addition to the district documentation, the information on each of the structures in the district needs to be improved. Architectural descriptions need to be written and details added to the histories. For example, the Wood House doesn't include any information from LuWayne Wood. Bart used the county property records and a few other sources as the basis for these histories, but additional information is out there that would add significantly to the "story" of each house. Our office is willing to take on the "packaging" of the nomination and focusing the statement of significance, since we understand exactly what the National Register reviewers are looking for in that regard. I may have an intern who could help with this as well. Your efforts (committee members, Doug Alder, etc.) could be directed toward making sure the histories are accurate and complete. Let's discuss further after you have a chance to look this over. Sincerely, ~ Roger Roper Historic Preservation Coordinator Encl. cc: Doug Alder, Dixie College, St. George, UT 84770 Preserving and Sharing Utah's Past for the Present and Future |
