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By Jamie Karras
MENDON -- It might be a small city, but it has a big history. Mendon is a quiet little farming community nestled tightly against the base of the majestic Wellsville Mountains. Settled in 1859 by a small group of Mormon colonists, Mendon was the second settlement established when Cache County was created in 1856, according to the city's website. Now, years later, residents are looking for ways to preserve the city's history for future generations. "We want to take all of that history and artifacts and keep them in a safe place so people can see them," said Valerie Larsen, whose roots are buried deep in Mendon's soil. Larsen's husband, Mayor Sydney Larsen, was raised in the city. His great grandfather was one of the many founders and his grandfather and father both served as mayor in earlier years. Preserving history is a wonderful endeavor said Larsen. "It gets me excited!" Unlike other cities in the valley, Mendon has never really had an organization for preserving its history, said Larson. In 2000, she decided to do something about that when she became the founder and first president of the Mendon Historical Society. After contacting the State of Utah and the Utah Historical Society, Larsen got a sample of historical documents in order to see what the city needed to do. She then drafted an ordinance for the preservation of historic sites and presented it to the city council for approval. She requested that the city consider being a Certified Local Government and support the historical society. This would allow more grants to become available for the preservation of buildings in town. After contacting 30 to 40 residents in town whom she thought might be interested in being part of this endeavor, the society began its work. They worked together to make a constitution and bylaws. "It is hereby declared that it is a national policy to preserve for public use historic sties, buildings, and objects of national significance for the inspiration and benefit of the people of the United States," according to the Federal Historic Preservation Laws put out by the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior. Larson said the Mendon Historic Society works in the same way, with one exception: it is for the benefit of the people of Mendon and Cache Valley. Many society members have vested interest in this preservation project because their ancestors were among the first settlers. Al Gardner for instance had no idea when he first moved to Mendon 26 years ago that he had any roots buried in the city. Later he found that his great grandfather's brother and sister lived in the area. Now Gardner is interested in preserving that family history for all 91 of his prosperity. "I'm a history buff," said Gardner, a member of the historical society. His goal is to acquaint other people to the history of Mendon and feels that being a part of the society is just the way to do it. Pamela Coleman, the society's current president, is conducting two ongoing surveys in an effort to find out which buildings in the city are worthy of preservation and would be eligible to be on the historical register; local, state, or national. The reconnaissance survey designates the architecture style and time period of the building. There is also an intensive survey, which is done on each individual building. This survey works to find out the present owner and original owner and their significance and importance to the town, said Larsen. The James G. Willie house is one of the city's historical buildings that is currently on the historical register. Larson said the James G. Willie house was instrumental in the building up of Mendon and Cache Valley. Other projects that the society is currently working on include the restoring of early 1870s cabins and also organizing a walking tour of historical sites and some of the first home in the city, said Larsen.
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