The tour now being offered of Colorado City and Hildale is good for anyone who wants to know the history of polygamy as practiced on the border of Utah and Arizona. This is especially true because the two brothers conducting the tour have incredible inside knowledge of the community both before and after Warren Jeffs. (After all, he is the reason why all of this has become so fascinating, right?)
The Holm brothers were both raised in Colorado City. Heber Holm left when he was teenager. Richard stayed and became a successful businessman and member of the Colorado City council until Jeffs threw him out on his ear.
Their information is unbeatable, but the presentation could use some work. Granted this tour is still in its infancy, but here are just a few suggestions:
- For the tour guides: Have a script. No, I’m not saying read from it, just have it. A script can help you focus both what you want to say and how to say it. Sure, depending on the interests of the tourist you should be willing to adapt or even throw out the script if necessary. But have one nonetheless.
- Add a sound system in the bus or van. It will help you be heard over the road noise.
- Stop more in town. What about the old school house? Or how about a nice, big house that’s now occupied by a non-FLDS who might be willing to show folks around for a few minutes and talk about their history in the community? There needs to be more “up close and personal” for the tourists. They need to meet a few of the residents, not just drive by their houses.
Now I’m not saying intrude on the privacy of the FLDS. But there’s got to be folks in town who have a story to tell and are willing to tell it.
On the tour I took with photographer Bill Brusard, there were just two stops – a quick, “I gotta use the restroom” break in the park in Maxwell Canyon (a very beautiful place by the way – as striking a view of red cliffs as anything in Zion National Park) and another at the Merry Wives Café for a nice lunch. (If you’re ever passing through the Arizona Strip, I highly recommend the Merry Wives Café. Nice people. Good food.)
Granted, with the TV camera along we probably threw off the timing of the tour. My apologies. I understand other tour groups did stop at the dairy store in town. It is a good place to buy cheese curd. You can also buy it at The Border Store.
If you’re going on your own, here are a couple stops to consider:
Merry Wives Cafe & Coffee Shop
625 State St (on Highway 59 next to The Border Store)
Hildale, UT 84737
(435) 874-1425
Meadowayne Dairy
785 W Arizona Ave
Hildale, UT 84784
(435) 874-2868
