COLORADO CITY, Ariz. — In a community divided, a surge of new business, roads and commerce is thriving where crumbling infrastructure and dilapidated homes hidden by towering fences once stood. For many residents, the colossal shift that continues is for the better, but for others it has brought unimaginable loss.
The Short Creek community, which encompasses Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, was founded in 1913 and grew into the largest polygamist community in the country and home to more than 7,700 members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.
Things have changed.
Over the last decade, a series of court rulings prompted an exodus of devout FLDS families who continue to settle in communities across northern Utah and beyond, while an influx of nonFLDS families have moved into the area, and those no longer affiliated with the church have returned to their childhood home.
The ripple effect caused by the shift in demographics is far reaching, and one direct change has to do with the sale of alcohol, which was prohibited within the twin cities, and has been for decades.
Two months ago, The Border Store on North State Street in Hildale began selling beer, offering a variety of different brews that are showcased in coolers that line the market’s walls – a first in the town’s history.
The store’s manager, who asked not to be identified by name, told St. George News that sales have been good since they began offering the drinks a little more than two months ago.
He continued by saying that beer sales in the store keeps the revenue where it belongs, in Hildale, as opposed to residents going outside of the area to buy alcohol, which many of them have done for years.
“Most of the people buying beer here are not buying it because we just started selling it, they are buying it here because they don’t have to drive outside of the area any longer, so it’s more convenient,” he said.
In Colorado City, one business dotting North Central Street, the Edge Of The World Brewery, opened its doors March 29 serving Arizona style beers and pizza in a building that previously served as the U.S. Post Office.
Opening a bar in Short Creek garnered the attention of the Los Angeles Times in an article published July 5 and remains the topic of conversation with local residents.
Prior to the pub’s opening, the building was completely renovated with new flooring, plumbing and a number of other improvements needed to operate as a craft beer brewery that also serves as a pub. The plan to operate a brewery was years in the making, a plan that included licensing negotiations, choosing a facility that would serve as a bar and brewery, and many other elements that took time.
An employee of the Berry Knoll Bakery, located next door to the pub, said that on opening night the brewery was standing room only, adding that the bustling pub and pizza eatery continues to be a popular spot for locals as well as those visiting the area.
A short distance from the pub is Black Cloud Vape, located at 50 Township Avenue, the first of its kind to launch in Colorado City’s business district. The doors opened in May, and the shop’s owner, Jason Black, said, “We are holding our own and growing.”
Aside from the business aspect, Black said the community is seeing positive changes that will continue.
“I know we can make this a beautiful thriving community, and repair trust and friendship with our neighboring communities.”
In the center of town is Cottonwood Park, which has undergone a dramatic overhaul, where new playground equipment now sits atop a fresh layer of sod that replaced the overgrown weeds that covered the entire area a few months ago. The park was previously hidden behind a tall fence that was torn down during the restoration.
Paved roads was one of the first items on Hildale City Council’s to-do list, and Mayor Donia Jessop has kept good on that promise. One well-traveled street now sporting a new layer of asphalt is Utah Avenue, which is several miles long and spans the length of the town. Another street, Arizona Avenue, runs parallel through Colorado City and has also undergone a transformation through a repaving project.
Another promise made by Hildale City Council members – to provide healthier water to the community – appears to have been a promise kept as numerous bystanders and residents who spoke to St. George News recently commented on the improved taste, clarity and quality of the drinking water.
The surge of commerce, business development and restoration projects may have created a secondary effect, which is a sense of hope permeating throughout the community, they said.
An employee working in one of the shops said there is “a renewed feeling of hope, and the changes we are now seeing will help everyone living here.”
More than one resident commented on a “new feeling out here,” a perception shared by a number of residents and, as one woman put it, “a fresh beginning and an opportunity to heal and prosper.”
Another resident who recently returned to the area after taking a hiatus from the community and the church, said that being back has given her the opportunity to better understand family members who are still active in the church, while at the same time realizing that she can make her own choices, “and decide how I want to live my own life.”
Similar comments supported the notion that momentous changes are taking place on both sides of the Utah/Arizona border, evidenced by the number of new businesses springing up along Colorado City’s North Central Street – when just a short time ago much of the area was hidden behind walls erected to shield outsiders’ views.
Amid that hope there remains hardship and loss that has left many in the tightly controlled group of FLDS members in shambles, as families continue to leave the area to relocate to communities outside of Short Creek.
“We are moving so that we can start over – from the sagebrush up,” said one man, who asked to remain anonymous.
Lawns and outdoor swings now sit in place of the towering brick walls lined with “No Trespassing” signs surrounding homes that stood unfinished or abandoned, as some families leave to settle elsewhere, while others arrive and establish a home in Short Creek.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
Edge of the World Brewery's sign hangs on on side of building, Colorado City, Arizona, July 25, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Edge of the World Brewery opened at the end of March, Colorado City, Arizona,, July 25, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News In this 2015 file photo, workers near completion of a wall surrounding the Leroy S. Johnson meetinghouse of the FLDS Church, Colorado City, Arizona, July 4, 2015 | Photo by Nataly Burdick, St. George News The Border Store on North State Street began selling beer in May after liquor licensing was approved, Hildale, Utah, July 25, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News The Border Store on North State Street began selling beer in May after liquor licensing was approved, Hildale, Utah, July 25, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Volunteers and residents laying sod during renovation of Cottonwood Park, Colorado City, Arizona, April, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Simeon Holm, St. George News Cottonwood Park goes through renovations in Spring, 2018, Colorado City, Arizona, July, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Ruleen Musser, St. George News Interior of Black Cloud Vape shop in Colorado City, Arizona, June 1, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Jason Black, St. George News Berry Knoll Bakery located on Central Avenue in Colorado City, Arizona, Sept. 22, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Berry Knoll Bakery, St. George News Edge of the World Brewery's interior area, Colorado City, Arizona, A;pril 6, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Edge of the World Brewery, St. George News Vape shop sign on Township Avenue advertises that Black Cloud Vape is open for business, Colorado City, Arizona, July 25, 2018 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
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Whole story is about businesses that cater to human vices. Be interesting to have story about manufacturing businesses getting going that bring real economic prosperity.
Most of the economy out there before was as close to “manufacturing” as you’re going to get in such small communities. Unfortunately, the money all went to one place and it didn’t do those folks a lot of good. But this entire country is covered with towns that have dried up and blown away because manufacturing is dead now.
Uptight, funny that you would mention “vices” on an article about these flds degenerates. Their “vices” have landed quite a few in prison, oh yeah that’s in Texas though, Utah turns it’s cheeks and puts blinders on when pedos do their thing here.
When is Warren getting out of prison, do you know?
And POW! You just blew upright COMPLETELY out of the water. That just might be the most EPIC response in the history of St G News, ever! Very nice indeed.
LOL, true. Upright is a naive little child.
Which is a pretty dangerous place to be in fundamentalist Utah!
Oh! Snap! hahaha
in the long run, there is no more reliably prosperous business than vice.
10,000 people bleeding the beast is a pretty good gig.
One thing is for certain. Now that short creek is being normalized the child molesters of this particular mormon-cult are fleeing to other areas. The question is: where will they set up their next large congregation of child molesting inbreeders? Or will they just hide in plain sight like the plyg sects ups north?
They still have a compound in So. Colorado, and in South Dakota IIRC. Just a couple weeks ago saw a few guys with Montana plates in a newer SUV at Big 5. They’ve been spotted in Colorado Springs CO as well. I’ve heard they’ve mostly cleared out of Texas though. I know of a house in St. George, north Dixie Downs area, that looks straight out of Colorado City, unfinished siding, and nothing but dirt and weeds for landscaping. Looked at a house in Cedar City, there were quite a few in the home next door. So they have really scattered but still wear the funky outfits that make them stand out to people who recognize it. I think the fact they refuse to pay taxes and / or the monthly fee in Short Creek has made them self deport from there. They had everything and Warren blew it up. So much for being a Grand Pooba Prophet.
Yup, as far as short creek, when is comes to these mormon-cult pedophiles they are like cockroaches and will scatter when a light is shined on them. I realize not all of these plygs are pedos, and I’ve actually met a few that I quite liked, but regardless of that they still enable child molesting and inbreeding by supporting their mormon cults. It’s a disgrace and something should be done.
Canada finally slapped some charges on Uncle Bunk or Wink or whatever his name was. Penalties were pretty weak, house confinement. ( Maybe that’s a tough one… could be … having to do Honey-dos all day ) Not sure if it was to draw a line on all their newfound friends and immigrants from the ME that are pouring in but the timing is interesting.
IMHO the federal govt dropped the ball, it’s been documented underage girls have been transported across State lines and the International border for polygamist child sex trades. Violations of the MANN act and RICO.
That said, the flds have been sued up one side and down the other so often in Civil court they must have vertigo. Not going to detail them, but for instance, they lost a 16 million lawsuit just last Sept. and a new lawsuit was filed in Dec.
And you are right about other things – even those who didn’t participate in being pedos or genetic diseases, knew about it and supported it. Those who have been lucky enough to get out don’t have anything good to say, some real horror stories.