Roy City and National Preservation Month

BY: SABRINA LEE

Whenwe think about historic preservation, most people immediately think about architectural preservation. But historic preservation can be applied to people, places, and events that happened. Its main goal is to preserve a part of history for future generations. In May of 1973, the National Trust for Historic Preservation created a weeklong celebration to relate local and state preservation progress to the national effort being made. In 2005, the celebration was extended to the entire month of May. Utah celebrates May as Archeology and Historic Preservation Month. The Utah State Historic Preservation Office has month-long events that connect people to the past.

I often slowdown when I see a historical house, and sadly, Roy does not have any homes that are on the National Historic Register. But that does not mean that it doesn’t have an abundant number of homes built in different historical architectural styles. Just look at the homes on 5600 South. They consist of Bungalows (1920’s), Period Cottages

(1930’s), WWII Era Cottages (1940’s), and Ranch Ramblers (1950’s).

The preservation of our history through oral stories, photos, and artifacts is just as important. Places and events that have buildings and artifacts lost to time get preserved by historical markers. Roy has one marker commemorating the original location of the Post Office, but the city has placed its own historical markers to commemorate its history. The Roy Historical Museum was a trove of preserved artifacts, but lack of funding caused it to close.

What can you do to celebrate preservation month? While the Utah State Historic Preservation Office has month-long events, I prefer to find local places and things to do. When the heat dwindles in the evening, take a slow drive through some of the older neighborhoods and look for historic homes, you can visit the markers Roy City has placed, or even walk through the cemetery looking at old marble headstones.

Are you a History Buff? Do you have a local history or ancestor story you would like to share? We want to hear from you!

Email cindy@connectionpub.com with your stories, and we might feature them in the magazine.