Explore the History of Toquerville, Utah
Come join us for a fascinating journey through the rich history of Toquerville! This in-person event will take place starting at 212 Toquerville Blvd, where you'll have the opportunity to learn about the town's past, from its founding to present day. Discover the stories of the pioneers who settled here and the events that shaped the community. Don't miss this chance to delve into the unique heritage of Toquerville!
Lifetime resident, Kay Chamberlain, and her husband, Lynn Chamberlain, a former mayor of Toquerville, will lead participants on a driving tour, intermixed with short walks to several historic buildings in Toquerville, Utah on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.
The tour, sponsored by the Washington County Historical Society, begins at 10 a.m., at the Toquerville Town Hall, 212 North Toquer Boulevard.
Other locations to be visited, include:
1. Daughters of Utah Pioneers monument, Levi Savage monument, Jail Rock and the Chief Toquer monument.
2. Appleton Harmon home (Wes Larsen home) 248 N. Toquer Blvd.
3. Cotton Gin, 67 East Cotton Gin Ave.
4. John & Catherine Steele home (Greg and Jodi Turner home), 263 N. Toquer Blvd.
5. William A. Bringhurst and Selinda, first wife home (Jeff and Shay Meyers home) 245 N. Toquer Blvd.
6. Zion Co-op store (Brownings home) 198 N. Toquer Blvd.
7. William A. Bringhurst-Suzanne Steele, 2nd wife (Tomkinsons home) 188 N. Toquer Blvd.
8. William A. Bringhurst--Mary Stapley, 3rd wife (Clingers). 178 N. Toquer Blvd.
We will also drive to the two following locations:
9. Richard Freyer/Presbyterian Mission (Steve Eberhard home) 10 N. Ash Creek Drive
10. John Naegle Winery (Tyler Whiting home), 110 S. Toquer Blvd.
Toquerville was settled in 1858 by six Mormon families adjacent to Ash Creek. When they arrived, they were met by Chief Toquer of the Paiute, Toquit or Toqurat Indians who invited them to settle nearby. The settlers named the new settlement Toquerville in his honor.
The town became likened to an oasis in the Arabian Desert as the traveler emerged from a harsh desert to a cultivated island of figs, pomegranates, peaches, grapes and lucerne (alfalfa).
Toquerville is also known for being part of the Mormon Wine Mission, which was ancillary to the Cotton Mission of 1861. Today, Toquerville is the northern gateway to Zion National Park.
The driving/walking tour is free to the public and is expected to end prior to noon.
For more information, call 435-632-0774.
