In last Wednesday Window, I waxed philosophically about the function and meta-function of windows and promised the start of a series of posts. We took a look at some of that value in a highly functional window in a lighthouse, where it clearly kept the elements out and the interior safe for inhabitants.
This week’s image comes from my recent excursion to Utah, where there was ample opportunity to photograph some fine windows in the deserted town of Grafton…
This site was first settled in December 1859 as part of a cotton-growing project ordered by Brigham Young under the name of Wheeler; it didn’t last long as a weeks long flood of the Virgin River destroyed out the entire settlement. A new town was built a mile upriver and given the name of New Grafton. It grew quickly to 28 families by 1864.
The town encountered many challenges beside the flooding, such as the silt level in the river, which required weekly dredging of all irrigation ditches. Its isolation also left it vulnerable to attacks, which precipitated complete evacuation during times of war with local tribes.
At its height, Grafton counted as many as 106 inhabitants in the 1910 census, which dropped quickly to a population of 23 by the 1930 census. The town was purchased by movie producer Harry Sherman to be used as a film site in 1946; at that time there were 3 remaining inhabitants.
Currently, Grafton is managed by the Grafton Heritage Partnership; this organization is dedicated to preserving and restoring the remaining town site. It is under 24-hour surveillance to protect it and is a wonderful location to visit and get a sense of what life was like during this period.
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