The Dream

Will You Help Fuel Our Dream?

In 1853 our great grandma, Julia Ann Crandall, arrived with her family in the first batch of settlers sent to Springville, Utah. In 1856 her our great grandpa and Julia's future husband, John Sell Boyer, arrived in Springville with his widowed mother and siblings. Together they made a lasting impression on the town of Springville. Julia Ann was known to be resilient, kind, and loving. 

Judge John Sell Boyer was a freighter, farmer, and civic servant. During his twenty-six years on the bench none of his judgments that went to appeals were ever overturned. He played an active roll in the framing of the territory and state constitutions as a delegate. John was known to have a kind a loving heart. It is said that when he was married to Julia Ann he carried her to the altar. Julia Ann had a severe hip infection at the age of three that had left her somewhat crippled. Despite that injury, the couple went on to have ten children and raised eight to adulthood. 

When the boys were older they helped John build the house on 211 North Main for their mother in 1887. It contained plenty of large windows so she could have beautiful views from whatever room she was in. Cash was scarce so the home was built with materials they created by hand or traded for. The only thing cash was spent for were doors, windows, nails, and shingles. It was one of the first homes in Springville to have electric lights and running water. The piped water came from one of two artesian wells on the property. 

  

The home was so impressive, in spite of their meager means, that it raised some questions at tithing settlement with their LDS Bishop suggesting if they could live in such a fine house, perhaps they should be paying more tithing.  An understanding was reached once John & Julia were able to explain things to him. Our grandpa and their youngest child, Ira Wayne Boyer, grew up in this Springville home. He also helped pave the first road into Springville, and was in the group of students who placed the first 'Y' on the mountain in Provo. 

Our love for this family, their legacy, their stories, and their town runs deep. Since our earliest memories we have dreamed of turning the home on 211 North Main into some kind of historical center to honor them and their community. We even commissioned a friend to paint a watercolor image of the house so it could hang in our home as a tangible reminder of the dream. Our long term goal is built to turn it into a B&B/events center with a room on the main floor that honors the family legacy as well as the community history. Located on Main Street as you come into town it is in a prime location for such a venue. The house still has the original doors and floors. Even the original outhouse still sits on the property!

Of course, as in all dreams, there are roadblocks along the way. Not the least of which is that the home has not been owned by anyone in the family since the mid 1970's. We've watched the home transition through so many hands and be used for so many purposes over the years that our anxiety to protect and honor it, before it is destroyed, is mounting.  However, we recently discovered the property is for sale. As direct descendants of Julia Ann Crandall and John Sell Boyer we have grave concerns over the future of their home. It stand much as it has for one-hundred-twenty-five years. During our lives we have seen it suffer neglect and receive tender care. However, its placement on a commercially zoned and viable corner on Main Street makes it extremely vulnerable to developers who could purchase the land and destroy the home, especially now as it is on the market. Currently Springville City has no ordinances in place to protect historic properties from such a fate. 

Sadly, we are not in the position to fund the purchase of the house outright.  In keeping with the family tradition, we're not afraid of creative solutions. If Grandpa John could create and trade all he needed to build the home in the first place, then surely we can do the same to save and honor it?

We can't help but think there must be some sort of preservation societies, historical organizations, investors, or dreamers we could share our vision with and solicit ideas, suggestions, information, and help from. There must be some path that would lead to our insuring the home will receive the honor and protection it deserves! 

Based upon the tradition of the LDS Church Perpetual Emigration Fund created to bring less fiscally fortunate saints to the valley of the Great Salt Lake & built upon the trade-barter-craft tradition John Boyer himself used to build the home originally, we hope to create a virtual Perpetual Commemoration Consortium of interested parties who can help fund the purchase of the home and the startup of the onsite business. For a historic structure such as this to survive and receive historical preservation funding it needs to be a part of a viable business that brings worth to the proprietors and the community it serves.  We hope to find partners, investors, or donors who share our vision and concern who will support our business plan to save, preserve, and honor both the structure and the pioneer ethics that led to its creation

We have the passion, the drive, and the vision – what we lack is the startup capital. 

We seek like-minded donors who have the capital and the passion for preserving the structure who need a passionate onsite partner to bring the vision to fruition.   Together we can create a gemstone business for the Springville City Historic District and further the appreciation for our heritage.