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Colorado City

Photography Landscape posted on Jun 24, 2012
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Description


Colorado City, formerly known as Short Creek, was founded in 1913 by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a breakaway sect of the Salt Lake City-based The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons). The FLDS membership desired a remote location where they could practice polygamy (Wikipedia). Colorado City, located on what is generally known as the Arizona Strip is in Mohave County north of the Grand Canyon. The shortest way to reach Colorado City by car from Kingman, the County seat and south of the Grand Canyon, is via Las Vegas, Nevada, I-15 north to St. George, Utah and east via Hurricane, and Utah State Route 59, a distance of 220 miles. Reaching the community via Flagstaff is about 350 miles. Colorado City, a community of about 4,600 inhabitants, straddles the Arizona/Utah state line and is called Hildale in the Utah part of the community. It is equally difficult to reach this community from the Utah side, either via St. George, or Kanab. Arizona State Route 389/Utah State Route 59 runs by the community. Yet there are no stores, motels, hotels, fast food outlets, or gas stations in this community, and therefore no reason for anyone to turn off the highway and stop while on their way from Fredonia, AZ to Hurricane, UT. But if someone does turn off, they are instantly recognized for what they are - strangers and intruders. The sect had been run by Warren Jeffs (born 1955)until a few years ago. He was accused of expelling young men from the community (for illegally dating young girls against his will, and interfering with the powerful clan leaders). Warren Jeffs had been a fugitive and was on the FBI's Most Wanted List. He was captured, tried in 2011 on two felony counts of child sexual assault and convicted to life plus 20 years. Recently he was accused of still running the sect from his prison cell. Jeffs has 79 wives and over 60 children. The Federal Government, and Mohave County, have requested additional funds for bringing in outside law enforcement. The local police force is either part of the sect, or intimidated to the point of ineffectiveness. I had been to Colorado City twice. The first time about 20 years ago on a Sunday. I turned off the highway on slowly cruised through town. A young woman, in the typical angle-length dress, was plowing a field, while a slew of young kids, girls in long dresses, played in or near the field. Their dress code reminded me of pictures I had seen as a kid in a book my grandmother had, where girls were ice skating in long dresses. That book was published in the 1890's. The second time I went to Colorado City was when I took these pictures. I had to meet some elders and inspect two dams. Not being familiar with the local setup, I went to the U.S. Post Office. The moment I entered this U.S. Post Office, marked on the wall behind the counter as 'U.S. Post Office Colorado City, Arizona/Hildale, Utah' the post mistress spotted me and recognized me for what I was, an unwelcome intruder. I could not get any information from her, she claimed ignorance. Somehow I found the office of the official I was supposed to contact and he in turn would get the elders. The contact person was out to lunch, but the young girl that was the secretary was good looking, friendly, warm, but kind of shy, and of course wore the traditional long dress and hairdo all women of the sect wear. When the contact person returned from lunch it was amazing to see the transformation of this young woman. From being warm and friendly she instantly turned into an emotionless robot. No smile, head bowed over the typewriter/computer, and apparently not listening. I had never seen anything like that before. This is a 4 picture panorama taken on 18 August 2005, Sig...

Comments (42)


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rachris480907

1:11AM | Tue, 26 June 2012

Wow. Very sobering text, Sig. It looks like such a pleasant place, nestled at the base of these beautiful hills. Kind of makes my skin crawl to hear your account of your visit there. The shot is really nice, beautifully framed.

bebert

6:20AM | Tue, 26 June 2012

very beautiful pano !!

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thecytron

8:34AM | Tue, 26 June 2012

Great panoramic view!

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debbielove

9:16AM | Tue, 26 June 2012

Sig! Totally awesome shot/s! A wonderful view.. This is beautiful.....WOW! Rob

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ysvry

9:52PM | Tue, 26 June 2012

great story , but where is the picture of this people?

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wizardofnoz

8:54AM | Wed, 27 June 2012

First of all, the panoramic shot is grand. But secondly, your story of your experiences of the city is even grander. Thanx for sharing.

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lyron

10:35AM | Wed, 27 June 2012

Marvelous panorama!!!

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starship64 Online Now!

1:02PM | Wed, 27 June 2012

I drove past Colorado City on the highway once, but didn't stop. The country around there really is gorgeous, and this is a wonderful panoramic shot.

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sharky_

2:09PM | Wed, 27 June 2012

Very impressive shot. Aloha

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tennesseecowgirl

12:53PM | Thu, 28 June 2012

Sounds like you entered the Twilight Zone. and it sounds like they are all brain washed and under educated. Very sad, thanks for sharing.

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carlx

10:03AM | Fri, 29 June 2012

Wonderful panorama capture!!!

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virginiese

11:50AM | Wed, 04 July 2012

stunning narrative. I'm afraid for this young lady... Great capture of the landscape Sig !

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