By Cassie Goff | [email protected]

Ever wonder why so many things in Cottonwood Heights are named Butler? Or what was grown in the prevalent farms before many homes were built? “City Between the Canyons: A History of Cottonwood Heights, Utah, 1849–1953” is now available to answer those burning questions pertaining to the city’s history. This book by Allen D. Roberts can be purchased at Cottonwood Heights City Hall (2277 Bengal Blvd.) for $20. A package deal of three books for $50 is also available.

Over the past two years, Roberts has been working with the Cottonwood Heights Historic Committee to research, write and edit this book. The process began in late 2016 when Roberts was recruited to be the author. By November, he had researched the hazardous mining industry, rich agriculture, diverse settlements and history of the canyons.

“Our city has one of the most unique histories because of the diversity of development,” former councilman and current Mayor Michael Peterson said at the time.

By January 2017, the historic committee had a hard copy of first draft for the city’s history. After review, they began searching for authentic original photos to accompany some of the stories included. At that point, the book was about 280 pages. 

By September 2017, the book had undergone three revisions as the team continued to work through it, checking for accurate facts. One month later, the historic committee reported to the city council that they were reading through the fifth draft, which was now 450 pages, single-spaced.

Over the next few months, the members of the historic committee — Chair Max Evans, Vice Chair Gayle Conger, Secretary Sylvia Orton, Don Antczak, Allen Ereksen, Jerri Harwell, James Kichas, Melinda Hortin and Carol Woodside — worked with Roberts to make sure the focus really was on local history, without involving too much of the state’s history.

On Jan. 23, 2018, the Cottonwood Heights City Council approved a resolution that allowed the final manuscript to be sent to an independent contractor for manuscript editing services. Sending the final manuscript out did not deter the historic committee from working through the editing process one last time to ensure the book was accurate and complete.  

“Editing took about eight to 10 hours a week for about four months,” said Evans.

Finally on June 20, the book was ready to be published. The historic committee was able to sell copies of the book at their booth during Butlerville Days.

To order “City Between the Canyons: A History of Cottonwood Heights, Utah, 1849–1953” online, visit squareup.com/store/cottonwood-heights-city.