Come Discover Delta on the 2009 Day Trip for Members as this summer Utah Heritage Foundation embarks on its first members-only tour. On August 22, come with us to Delta, a mere 140 miles from Salt Lake City and little over two hours drive, and home to the Great Basin National Heritage Area as well as several interesting and hidden historic sites. The tour is open to all members of Utah Heritage Foundation and RSVP is required by August 18 to (801) 533-0858 x 107. Just $20 gets you guided tours of each of the sites listed below as well as lunch in Delta City Park.
Overview
The Delta area was originally populated by the Pahvant band of Ute Indians, descendants of the Fremont people. The area is unique in Utah history in that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leadership did not direct its settlement. Melville and Burtner were two names for the town before the Delta Company promoted the town to potential alfalfa farmers.
While the country was suffering through the Great Depression, alfalfa farming and beryllium mining enabled the area to thrive. While thousands flocked from throughout the Great Basin area to dance at Van's Hall, thousands were also trucked in against their will to the Central Utah Relocation Center, also known as Topaz. And while some communities shunned the internees, the people of Delta welcomed them and helped them as much as they could in the circumstances.
On the tour, we will visit Van's Hall, the Central Utah War Relocation Center (Topaz Internment Camp), the Great Basin Museum, and Delta's historic neighborhoods. Here is a glimpse of what each has to offer.
Discover Delta Itinerary
10:00 a.m. - Meet at Great Basin Museum, 328 West 100 North
Great Basin Museum
Telling the story of the Great Basin National Heritage Area from pre-history to the present, the Museum was built in the late 1980s to showcase the programs and artifacts of the Great Basin Historical Society. In addition to its wide variety of pioneer era artifacts, the Topaz recreation hall, and the Great Basin's earliest peoples, the geologic history of the area is showcased with geodes, trilobites, and other fossils all on display with information on how to rockhound yourself!
11:00 a.m. - Meet at Van's Hall, directions given at Great Basin Museum
Van's Hall
When walking in Van's Hall, you may wonder which decade you are in, or what planet you are on. Some think it is Utah's (or the world's) first discothèque. Built by William Edward Van de Vanter, known as Billie Van in town, in 1926 on top of his Mutt and Jeff Garage. The Spanish Colonial Revival style building with a non-descript exterior and ground floor belies the amazing upper floor, decorated with over 200,000 pieces of hand-cut mirror and glass. To top it all off, a 400-pound rotating mirrored globe fills the center of the hall. When lit up by the 225 lights (operated with 29 switches), it's no wonder the hall attracted upwards of 800 some nights, so much that the floor appeared to buckle. Van's Hall is normally closed to the public, though it will open only for those on our tour.
12:15 p.m. - Lunch at Delta City Park, Main Street between Center Street and 100 East
1:30 p.m. - Depart for Topaz Internment Camp
Topaz
Officially known as the Central Utah War Relocation Center, this site held 8,130 Japanese-Americans under armed guard from September 11, 1942 until October 31, 1945. Today, the Topaz Museum works to preserve the memory of one of the darkest chapters in Utah and American history. With 80% of the original site remaining, concrete foundations still dot the landscape, and artifacts of their internees' lives continue to be covered and uncovered by the dusty wind. The camp was designated a National Historic Landmark on March 29, 2007, one of only thirteen sites in Utah currently with this distinction. We recommend visitors to this site wear shoes and parents keep children close.
3:00 p.m. - Conclude Topaz tour
If you would like to RSVP by the August 18th deadline or have questions about your membership, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at (801) 533-0858 extension 107. Members may bring a limited number of guests, but they must be included in the RSVP and pay $20 each for lunch costs. You may pay the fee via our online donation page (marking that you heard about us for the Delta trip), by mailing a check to our address below, or bringing cash or check to the first stop.
By visiting heritage sites closer to home, you help sustain local economies, support historic preservation in Utah, and save money compared to vacations further away so choose to Discover Delta with us on August 22nd!
