Pioneer Sundial

A young frontier town still had to tell time. When settlers founded Parowan in January 1851, among the first things they raised were a tall liberty pole and, a year later, a community sundial, set here in 1852 so the town could keep its hours by the sun. Its base is a millstone burr from the pioneer grist mill — one worn-out tool repurposed to mark the day. The liberty pole stood a block south. What you see now is a reproduction of the pioneers' original, standing where Parowan once read the time off a shadow.

What the plaque says

Parowan was founded January 13, 1851 by settlers from northern communities under the leadership of George A. Smith. Among the early structures were a large liberty pole and a sundial. This marker designates the site of the community sundial placed here in 1852. The base of this structure is a burr from the Pioneer Grist Mill. This sundial is a reproduction of the original made by the pioneers of Parowan. The Liberty Pole was one block south.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Brian Head — 10 mi
  Utah's highest town — a ski-and-bike base camp at the top of Parowan Canyon
• Parowan Gap Petroglyphs — 10 mi
  An ancient rock art gallery hidden in a desert canyon
• Panguitch Lake — 13 mi
  A Blue Ribbon trout lake at 8,400 feet on the Patchwork Parkway
• Cedar Breaks National Monument — 14 mi
  A 2,000-foot-deep amphitheater of vivid orange and red rock

More markers nearby

• John C. Fremont — steps away
• First School & Council House in Iron County — steps away
• Pioneer Rock Church — steps away
• Public Works — steps away