Fruit Heights preserves some of its orchard heritage

Name • Fruit Heights

Location • East bench of Davis County, just north of Farmington

History • Pioneers discovered fairly early that the land on the east bench of Davis County made an ideal place for farms and orchards. So it figured that when residents reached the threshold of the 100 people needed to incorporate — after someone remembered that a baby would be born before the petition would be submitted — the community would celebrate that fact in its name.

Thus, on Aug. 23, 1939, the town of Fruit Heights was incorporated.

Today • Though things have changed greatly since its founding, as the town has grown to more than 5,000 residents, there are still orchards in Fruit Heights and a few places to purchase fresh cherries and peaches when they are in season.

The town's personality changed greatly in 1948 when U.S. 89 was constructed right through the middle of town. Some of its heritage is preserved at the Rock Loft, the town's main commercial area, which features some locally owned businesses including a bakery and furniture store. The Rock Loft once served as a cherry processing plant and is made of rock that rolled into town from nearby canyons when creeks flooded. Fruit Heights' city offices were there for a time.

Fruit Heights residents enjoy use of a nice trail system as well as Nicholls, Harvey, Creekview and Ellison Farm parks and a public shooting range.

Tom Wharton