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

Welcome!

We have been "Honoring our Pioneer Forefathers in St. George and Washington City since 1933" — yes, for 92 years, with our chapter organized in its current form since 1989! We are one of 46 local chapter organizations and have been recognized annually with the "Chapter in Excellence" award.

Membership is open to sons (descendants) of Utah pioneers or to those men (and their wives) who just have an interest in promoting and honoring local pioneer heritage. We are actively engaged in Washington City Cotton Days, St. George City Dixie Days and local historical treks. We share pioneer histories and award approximately $15,000 dollars annually to local high school seniors and 2nd grade students.

You can also follow our Facebook page at Cotton Mission Chapter of Sons of Utah Pioneers. We would love to have you join us!

Brad Allen,
2025 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.