Mac J. Hall shares story behind the Hurricane Canal — Cotton Mission Chapter of Sons of Utah Pioneers

Welcome!

As Sons of Utah Pioneers we truly stand on the shoulders of others who have built communities before us. A most successful 2023 year in our chapter saw us hosting the National Encampment convention. We volunteered service hours then attended the rededication of the St. George Temple as part of that noteworthy event. In 2024 we will focus on the word “Dedication” in memory of the first pioneers who settled this valley with faith, hope and sacrifice.

We invite you to join us as we rededicate to be pioneers in our time and build the next generation of pioneers to honor our heritage.

Roy Taylor,
2024 Chapter President

Sep 4

Sep 4 Mac J. Hall shares story behind the Hurricane Canal

Derek Rowley

meetings

Thanks to Mac J Hall for being our speaker at the August dinner meeting. Mac works for Hurricane City and shared the story of how the Hurricane Canal was conceived and built by the early pioneers.

Work was done by local men paid for by the canal's shareholders, whose lands on the Hurricane Bench were to be irrigated by the canal. The 2,000 acres of new agricultural lands allowed the settlement of Hurricane after 1906. The work and the shareholder system were organized by James Jepson and John Steele, an ancestor of chapter member Rex Jensen. The superintendent of construction was J.T. Willis.

Although the canal no longer carries water, hikers can enjoy a trail that runs along the dry canal. Eleven of the twelve tunnels remain accessible to hikers and some members of our chapter enjoyed exploring them.