According to a September 16 report, Kanab Area Chamber members gathered at the Kanab Heritage House and Museum on September 10 for a luncheon.
Chamber board member Lacee Brown served as the master of ceremonies for the event, which featured guest speakers discussing local history and regional business challenges.
Kanab Museums Director Emily Bentley served as the first speaker, presenting on the history of the Heritage House and its original owners. Bentley noted that Henry Bowman arrived in Kanab with his wife, Mary, in 1885, and the Heritage House was completed in 1894. Once described as the first modern house in Kanab and the jewel of Kanab, the home was purchased by the city in 1974 and has since been restored.
Bentley described Henry Bowman as a man of many talents who created a tourism company that organized lodging, sightseeing, and travel. She stated that Bowman was able to diversify his businesses and build partnerships while seeking opportunity.
Melinda Marshall, the Operations Manager of Jacob Lake Inn and great-great-granddaughter of Henry Bowman, provided the second presentation. Marshall discussed the Bowman family's role in shaping the area, noting that Henry's son, Harold, started the Jacob Lake Inn 103 years ago as an experiment offering sandwiches, root beer, and gas from a 50-gallon barrel.
The Jacob Lake Inn currently operates a restaurant, hotel, cabins, gas station, and gift shop. It is the 4th oldest continuously family-owned business leading into the National Parks and the 12th oldest in the nation. The business is also celebrating 51 consecutive years of baking its cookies.
Marshall addressed challenges faced by the region and Jacob Lake Inn over the past year, including devastating fires and floods. She expressed a need for advocacy and encouraged travelers to visit Southern Utah and Northern Arizona, stating that both areas remain open for business despite recent tragedies.
The Kanab Heritage House and Museum offers free guided tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, though it is closed on Thursdays, Sundays, and major holidays. The next Chamber lunch is scheduled for October 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Houston's Trail's End.
