Grover, Utah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grover, Utah
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The old Grover School, October 2008
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 Grover, Utah
Location in Utah
Grover, Utah
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Wayne |
| Settled | 1880 |
| Named for | Grover Cleveland |
| Elevation | 7,116 ft (2,169 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP code |
84773
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| Area code(s) | 435 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1437575 |
Grover is a small, quiet place in southwestern Wayne County, Utah, United States. It's an "unincorporated community," which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's governed by the county.
Grover was first called Carcass Creek. Today, it's mostly a ranching community. It's located a bit off the main roads that tourists usually take.
Contents
Exploring Grover's Location
Grover is about 7 miles southeast of Torrey. You can find it along State Route 12. The community sits right outside the Dixie National Forest. It's also at the base of Boulder Mountain. To the east, you'll find the beautiful Capitol Reef National Park.
Grover is a small, spread-out community. It's generally located between two small streams. These streams are called Fish Creek and Carcass Creek. They both flow into the Fremont River. Carcass Creek got its name because its banks were very steep. This made it dangerous for livestock, who sometimes fell in.
A Look at Grover's Past
Early Settlers and Naming
The first people to settle near Carcass Creek arrived in 1880. They were experienced ranchers from Wayne County. More cattle ranchers settled along Fish Creek in 1881. Over the next few years, a small number of families moved into the area. These early settlers called their home Carcass Creek.
In 1887, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the area formed a group. It was called the Carcass Creek Branch. However, they didn't meet very often. This was because people lived far apart from each other.
In the early 1890s, the community grew. It was given its own post office. The name was changed to Grover. This new name honored U.S. President Grover Cleveland. In 1893, the Grover Irrigation Company was formed. Its job was to build and manage systems for getting water from Fish Creek Lake. This water was used for farming and ranching.
Grover's School History
The first school classes in Grover were held during the winter of 1892–1893. Around 1900, the first building was constructed. It served as a school, a church, and a community center.
In 1935, a new school building was constructed in Grover. This school was a stuccoed log building with just one room. It was built with money and labor from the Works Progress Administration. This was a government program that helped people find jobs during the Great Depression. Unlike other schools nearby, it even had a fence and a lawn!
However, Grover was a very small community. The school board soon decided the school was too expensive. Within three years, older students were sent to school in Bicknell. In 1941, the Grover School officially closed. The building is still mostly the same today. In 1986, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Grover's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 85 | — | |
| 1910 | 73 | −14.1% | |
| 1920 | 52 | −28.8% | |
| 1930 | 73 | 40.4% | |
| 1940 | 92 | 26.0% | |
| 1950 | 53 | −42.4% | |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau | |||
Grover has always been a small community. Even for Wayne County, which doesn't have many people, Grover has had very few residents. The United States Census counted the population from 1900 to 1950. During all those years, the population never reached 100 people.
Even though it's small, Grover has a special tradition. The annual Fourth of July celebration is a big reunion. Many current and former residents come back to visit. In 1973, more than 200 people attended the celebration!
What Drives Grover's Economy
For a long time, Grover's economy relied on ranching. This is true for much of Wayne County. But in recent years, tourism has become more important. Many visitors come to see Capitol Reef National Park and other fun places nearby.
Because of its beautiful scenery, Grover has become a popular spot for vacation homes. The Hale Family Theatre is also located here. It's one of several theater companies run by the family of Ruth Hale. They put on plays during the summer months in a rustic barn theater on the family's ranch.
Education in Grover
Since the Grover School closed in 1941, there have been no schools in the community itself. Children from Grover now attend school in nearby Bicknell and Loa.
