Located along the Santa Clara River, Santa Clara City was settled by Jacob Hamblin in 1854 and incorporated in 1915. Over the years Santa Clara became famous for its fruit and produce production. Numerous fruit stands lined the street through the City, providing an outlet for the crop production in the area. After Highway 91 was abandoned in favor of the Freeway (I-15), the fruit stands declined and most of them have now disappeared. In 2007, the City of Santa Clara completed a $10,000,000 historic downtown streetscape renovation project geared at initiating new “life” and vitality in the downtown area.
The City can best be characterized as suburban in nature since many city residents commute to work in the City of St. George and other nearby business areas. Santa Clara has a rapidly growing population, estimated currently at 8,000 residents. The St. George metro area, of which Santa Clara is a part, was recently ranked as the fastest growing community in the United States in a recent U.S. Census report. The City’s population has grown nearly 100% since the 2000 census.
Heritage Square
Established in the 1990’s, Heritage Square features plaques of the original Swiss families that came to Santa Clara. An early home displays pioneer artifacts, and the Relief Society House shows where meetings were held and a silk worm industry was fostered. Grounds with a fountain provide space for peaceful contemplation and are available for rent to wedding parties and more. For reservations call (435) 673-6712 x219.
Jacob Hamblin Home
In Santa Clara at 3356 Santa Clara Drive stands a pioneer-era home built in 1862 by Mormon craftsmen for area settler, Jacob Hamblin. The home is constructed of Ponderosa timbers from Pine Valley and local red sandstone. The building was home for Jacob Hamblin and his family and was also headquarters for his missionary work, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Jacob Hamblin was sent by Brigham Young, the Church leader at the time, as a missionary to southern Utah and became a noted Indian agent, colonizer and peacemaker. He worked out treaties with the sometimes hositle Indians and was called to mediate whenever trouble arose.
The storage chamber on the back of the house was built into the hillside to assure a cool temperature to store the homegrown grains and vegetables raised by the women and younger children. The older boys, including an adopted Indian son, helped manage the herds of fine cattle and sheep. Jacob was known for his York peaches and sweet-pit apricots.
The bedrooms of his two wives have matching fireplaces which not only kept them warm during the mild winters but also served as kitchen stoves for cooking. The bedrooms are also similar in that each one has a stairway leading up to the weaving room and the children’s bedroom.
During his lifetime, Jacob Hamblin had 24 children, but with the spread in their ages only about half of them lived here at any one time.