I 29.86/3: 8 Cultural Landscape Report: Fruita Rural Historic District, Capitol Reef National Park 'Tel Is ^998 by ^ FEDERAL PUBUCATION Cathy A. Gilbert and Kathleen L. McKoy j&^ ^'^^^. w -3 i >^ L3I b^j&'l^^^^^pv'l ^' *. CULTURAL RESOURCES SELECTIONS No. 8 Intermountain Region 1997 National Park Service COVER PHOTOGRAPH: View ofthe Gifford Farm and Scenic Drive, looking northwest, 1996. PHOTOGRAPHIC CREDITS: Unless otherwise noted, all photographs used in this report are credited to the National Park Service and are on file at Capitol ReefNational Park, Torrey, Utah. Cultural Landscape Report: Fruita Rural Historic District, Capitol Reef National Park by Cathy A. Gilbert and Kathleen L. McKoy U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Intermountain Region Denver, Colorado 1997 11 FOREWORD As a part ofthe National Park Service's mission to protect and interpret its resources, it is important to make valuable, historical information readily available. To further that goal, I am pleased to present this volume in our occasional series of publications on the Intermountain Region's past. This report, prepared by Historical Landscape Architect Cathy Gilbert (Pacific West Region) and Historian Kathy McKoy (Intermountain Region), provides detailed historical infor- mation encompassing more than 100 years of continuous agricultural use of the river-bottom lands of Fruita. Once a small, remote farming community of Mormon settlers and their descen- dants, the valley became regionally famous for its cultivation of privately-maintained fruit orchards through the 1950s. Acquired by the National Park Service during the 1960s, Fruita's estimated 2,500 fruit trees (primarily cherry, apricot, apple, and peach) continue to be maintained and fruit made available to park visitors on a pick-your-own basis. Fruita is an excellent example of a historic vernacular landscape, one which illustrates peoples' values and attitudes toward the land and reflects patterns of settlement, use, and devel- opment over time. This study recognizes and describes the complex nature of Fruita's cultural landscape and the landscape's inherently dynamic nature. It documents the features, values, and associations that contribute to this particular landscape's historic significance. The research, doc- umentation, and analysis of changes which have taken place in Fruita over the last century pro- vides a basis for recommendations that will assist the park to achieve the goal of sensitive and appropriate management of the important historic resources encompassed by the boundaries of the Fruita Rural Historic District. John E. Cook Field Director Intermountain Region Mission: As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally-owned public lands and natural and cultural resources. This includes fostering wise use ofour land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The Department also promotes the goals of the Take Pride in America cam- paign by encouraging stewardship and citizen responsibility for the public lands and promoting citizen participation in their care. The Department also has a major responsiblHly for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in Island Territories under U.S. Administration. NPS-D63, September, 1997. Ill IV ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to recognize a number of individuals who contributed to this study of his- toric Fruita and its landscape. During the 1980s, George E. Davidson, then the park's Chief of Interpretation and Information Services, alerted the park in the Cultural Resources Management Plan that a "historic scene enhancement plan" was needed to guide management in park planning. Davidson recognized the significance ofand was an early advocate for Fruita's cultural landscape, urging management to consider how park development impacted the historic scene. In addition, the information on lifeways and land use that Davidson gathered during that period in oral inter- views with past residents contributed to our understanding ofthe landscape. Davidson's appreci- ation for the history ofFruita and his ability to see the interpretive potential in its rural landscape was instrumental in developing the scope of this project. This cultural landscape study was con- ducted shortly before Davidson's retirement from his position as park management assistant and from the park service in 1993. His editing acumen and historical knowledge ofFruita and the sur- rounding region were indispensable during our research and writing of this report. Superintendent Chuck Lundy's sincere interest in and enthusiastic support of this study, as well as the helpful attitude of his entire staff, made conducting our fieldwork at the park a real pleasure. Other park staff who assisted us include former Historian Brad Frye (now at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area), who reviewed and commented on early report drafts. Former Chief of Resource Management and Science Norm Henderson coordinated our initial fieldwork and 1992 National Register of Historic Places evaluation of the landscape. During the cultural landscape report phase of the project, Henderson was reassigned to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Archeologist Lee Kreutzer became our main contact and technical reviewer. She was instrumental in coordinating our research activities at the park and in review- ing numerous drafts ofthis report. Her skilled editorial eye, knowledge ofthe resources, and per- ceptive comments greatly improved the quality ofthe final draft. For the excellent, detailed fold- out map of the Fruita Rural Historic District included in this report, we thank the park's Geographic Information System specialist, Jennifer Norton. Cora Oyler Smith, a resident of Fruita for over fifty years and now residing in Richfield, Utah, provided a wealth of historical information during an oral history interview conducted in May 1993. Her vivid memories and descriptions of life in the close-knit farming community of Fruita made the landscape truly come alive in our imaginations. We also appreciate the assistance ofTreasure Recorder Loma Blackburn at the Wayne County Courthouse. Finally, the authors of this study are most deeply indebted to the contribution of former Orchard Manager KentWorthen Jackson. Jackson spent some ofhis childhood years assisfing his father, Worthen, tending the orchards of Fruita for the park service. Shortly after completing a degree in archeology at BrighamYoung University, Jackson returned to work for the park service in Fruita's orchards for twenty years. During our study, Jackson shared his intimate knowledge of the history of each orchard, made possible by his meticulous keeping of detailed orchard records, a practice begun in the 196()s by his father. His knowledge of the irrigation system and past management practices was also a significant contribution to the study. In addition to numer- ous informal interviews with Jackson held in 1992 and 1993 (when fieldwork for this report was conducted), a formal oral history interview was made with him in October 1995. Kent Jackson passed away at the age of47 on November 5, 1995, leaving a living legacy of orchards to future generations. It is with gratitude for his contributions to the National Park Service and to his mem- ory that we dedicate this report. VI 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page FOREWORD iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v TABLE OF CONTENTS vii LIST OFAPPENDICES viii LIST OF MAPS ix INTRODUCTION Historical Overview 1 Purpose of the Report 1 Methodology and Scope 2 EXISTING CONDITIONS Site Context 5 Site Description 7 Study Boundaries 9 Site Map (see map pocket, back cover) HISTORY Prehistoric Occupation 1 Mormon Settlement and Early Agriculture: 1880-1920 1 Tourism and Creation of Capitol Reef National Monument: 1920-1960 17 Mission 66 and National Park Service Development: 1960-1990 34 Endnotes 39 ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION Overall Landscape Organization 49 Response to Natural Features 50 Cultural Traditions 50 Land Use 54 Vegetation Related to Land Use 56 Riparian Plant Communities 56 Introduced Plant Materials (ornamental/cultural) 56 Agriculture 57 Orchard Summaries 59 Orchard Names 59 Historic Crops 59 Historical Documentation 60 Circulation 80 Cluster Arrangement 81 Gifford Farm 81 Holt Farm 85 Structures 85 Fruita Schoolhouse 85 Merin Smith Implement Shed 86 Merin Smith Fruit Cellar 86 Ranger Station 86 Sulphur Creek Lime Kiln 86 vii (ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION, CONTINUED) (Structures, continued) Sprang House 86 Brimhall House 86 Irrigation System 87 Archeological Resources 90 Prehistoric Resources 90 Historic Sites and Structures 90 Fremont River Still Site 90 Mulford Corrals 90 Miscellaneous Rock Walls 90 Inscription Rocks 92 Home Sites 92 Remnant Irrigation Works 92 Endnotes 92 RECOMMENDATIONS Introduction 97 Management Concepts 97 Circulation 99 Vehicular 99 Pedestrian 100 Vegetation 100 General 100 Ornamental and Cultural 100 Natural Vegetation 101 Agriculture 101 Orchards 102 Fields 103 Pastures 103 Structures 103 Buildings 103 Rock Walls 104 Irrigation Systems 104 Other Structures 105 Small-scale Features 105 BIBLIOGRAPHY 107 APPENDICES A. Statement of Significance, Fruita Rural Historic District 109 B. Summary of Management Documents, Capitol Reef National Park. Compiled by Kathy McKoy, 1993 113 C. Wayne County Tax Assessor Records, Land Use and Domestic Livestock. Summaries compiled by Kathy McKoy, 1993 117 D. Fruita Deed Histories 121 E. List of Classified Structures 123 F. Fruita Rural Historic District Cultivated and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Documented by Juanita Lichthardt, October 30, 1985 125 G. Letter, Chas S. Peterson to Kathy McKoy, June 24, 1993 127 vui