One of my favorite things to do with my "fab 5"  who range in the age from 15 to 4 is visit small towns in Southern Utah and learn about the history of its settlers.  I especally love it when that historyintertwines with our own family history.  Such is the case with this piece on Santa Clara Utah.  The Leo Reber I speak of is my husband's great grandfather.  So when we were done with our eight baseball games and track meet for the weekend, we took a moment to wander through the streets of historic downtown Santa Clara:

The blossoms decorate the orchard trees on a late april afternoon, in Santa Clara. The beauty is only to outdone by the scent that fills the air. It is absolutely breathtaking.

Walking down the streets of Historic Downtown, this quaint little village sings of its Swiss Heritage. The homes are well marked, and the histories are noted on plaques in the front yards. Names such as Frei, Gubler, Graff, Stucki, Hafen, Tobler, and Reber line the sidewalks. It is like stepping back in time.

George and Bertha Graff home - The edifice is an example of the adobe contructed vernacular architecture, a common style during Utah's settlement era. It was referred to as a hall and parlor house- two rooms wide and one room deep. This home was built by George and his cousin Albert in 1906 for George's wife Bertha. Completion of this home was deterred due to the fact that George ran out of the bricks needed to complete the project. Not to be blocked by this obstacle, George made his own bricks from the red sand and clay from his yard. Bertha and George were the only residents to ever live here.

Santa Clara Granaries - Unsuccessful at raising cattle because they fell prey to the local Paiute Indians, Santa Clara became a produce and peddling center. To store the fruits and vegetables, some homes had roots cellars but most had a separate granary. The granaries look like detached miniature homes and could be found to the rear of almost every house in Santa Clara. While grains were stored in the warmer upper section of the granary, the fruits and vegetables were stored in the basement or ground level where the temperature was cooler.

John George and Susette Bosshard Hafen Home- Built in 1881 this 1 ½ Victorian eclectic cross-wing home was constructed of adobe bricks that were made from the backyard's own clay and sand. This home housed Santa Clara's 1st Post office and Merchandise cooperative.

Frederick and Anna Reber house- an example of Greek revival double-cell architecture this home was built in 1870 and perhaps more than any other home touched the broadest collection of local human history. It saw a constant succession of renters throughout the early part of the 20th century. It was here many called "home" as they awaited the return of a loved one from WWII.

Heritage Square- To the east of the historic Relief Society house, this square pays tribute to the pioneers of this settlement. In 1861, LDS prophet Brigham Young called a total of 309 missionaries consisting of 87 Swiss people living throughout Northern Utah to go to Santa Clara to raise cotton and grapes. George Carlyle said of the Switzers, "they are honest people... they are not philosophers or tribunes; but frank honest landsmen". This square memorializes this spirit.

Spring time in Santa Clara means planting season. Before I-15 became the preferred route, this small town community was lined with fruit stands as part of "Old" Highway 91. It was indeed a must stop for its fruit and produce production. Infact, in March of 1953, David H. Mann, Field editor, of the Utah Farmer profiled a local resident, Leo Reber. He was of the opinion that one of the most productive pieces of land in the southern end of Utah was Leo Reber's farm in Santa Clara.

Reber is noted for his enthusiasm for the land. He loved the way the soil responded to his "playing in the dirt." He was successful in his planting of alfalfa, barley, wheat, sweet corn, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, radishes, turnips, string beans, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cantaloupes and melons. Reber was convinced of the then new tactic of pruning. He found it produced higher yields and better colored fruits. Reber was master peach grower. He produced five different kinds in his orchards.

Reber's products particularly his sweet corn, radishes, and green onions never wanted for buyers. He sold locally and as far south as Las Vegas and to the north as far as Salt Lake. His "fruit stand" alone brought many to once "little" town of Santa Clara.
The day's end is marked as the spring sun dips behind the mountains. Walking through the alfalfa of Leo Reber's Farm (now owned by granddaughter Valene and husband Mark Walter) the soil has been tilled in time for the spring crop and the peach trees are in the process of being pruned. A baby calf, born no less than 10 minutes ago stands for the first time. It is Santa Clara spring time. Leo Reber’s great, great-grandchildren scamper about giggling and growing while preserving Reber's Pioneer legacy. He didn't just plant crops..

"Behold the work of the old, let your heritage not be lost, but bequeath it as a memory, treasure and blessing. Gather the lost and the hidden and preserve it for thy children."- Christian Metz