The Cedar Valley Civic Improvement Association has compiled some history and recipes about the small town of Cedar Fort, Utah. This book is available for purchase for $18.00 + shipping. The book contains recipes from current and previous residents of Cedar Fort as well as some interesting history stories. The book is titled “100 Years, Beneath These Western Skies!” It celebrates the Cedar Fort Roadion 1923-2023.
The following is an excerpt from the book “100 Years, Beneath These Western Skies!” published by the Cedar Fort Civic Improvement Association. You can purchase your own copy and help support the Association by following this link: https://checkout.square.site/buy/PVOZGCDL56DL6FJNZV2W73LV
First Chapel of Cedar Fort
In 9104, a one room church was built near the remains of the old rock fort. it was dedicated and used as a place of worship til 1972. In 1939 , Bishop Harvey Dahl (The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints), started raising funds by staging an amateur rodeo in the hills near town to rais funds. Those funds were used to build a Church across the street now used for Cedar Valley Elementary.
The on room Chapel initially consisted of 150 members living in the North end of the Valley, by the time of closure it had 275 members from the towns of Cedar Fort and Farifield. Prior to this one room Chapel. Church was held in the schoolhouse as well as the public meetings. Baptisms were performed in the south corner of the block. Across the street north of the rock fort. Sides of lumber were placed on each side of the ditch and then a dam was placed in the ditch until the water was backed up enough for the baptisms. Later the stake built the Tabernacle in American Fork, so children were taken to the Tabernacle for their Baptism, then they would come back and be confirmed in their own ward the next Sunday.
Many quilts were made, service projects, meetings, farewells, homecomings, singing, worship, gatherings, and togetherness were shared in this tiny Chapel. It is now gone and replaced by the parking lot. The trees that surround it are much bigger than they were back then. The rock fort still stands as it had when it was the backdrop for the Chapel.
Best Funeral Potatoes Indgredients
Everyone knows that if you go to a funeral in Utah County you will be served Funeral Potatoes. This is a receipt submitted by Shantelle Chleverly and is one of the many in the book “100 Years, Beneath These Western Skies!”
Best Funeral Potatoes
Funeral Potatoes from the book "100 Years, Beneath These Western Skies!", submitted by Shantelle Cleverley
- 1 32 oz Bag of Fozen Hash Browns (take out of freezer 20 minutes prior to cooking)
- 1/2 Large Chopped Yellow Onion
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 Cups Sour Cream
- 2 1/2 Cups Shreeded Cheddar Cheese
- 3 tbsp Chives
- 1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 1/2 Cups French's Fried Onions (Crushed)
- 2 Cups Corn Flakes (Crushed)
- 1/4 Cup Butter
In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter and cook the onion until soft (about 5 minutes)
In a large mixing bowl, combine your hashbrowns, salt, black pepper, chives, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, and the cooked onion. Stir well.
Preheat oven to 375.
Put potato mixture into a 9X13 casserole dish and cook in the oven for 30 minutes. Take out and stir the whole casserole well.
Put back into the oven and continue to cook until it's bubbling on the sides and in the middle, about 20-30 more minutes.
Mix your French's onions and cornflakes and 1/4 cup melted butter.
Take the casserole out of the oven and sprinkle the cornflake, onion, and butter mixture on top.
Put back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes, watch carefully so the topping doesn't burn
Some stories are best told without a name attached. Whether it’s a firsthand experience, an opinion piece, or a sensitive topic, Cedar Valley Sentinel occasionally publishes content written by anonymous contributors or ghostwriters who wish to remain unnamed. These authors may be local residents, community leaders, or subject matter experts who want to share their perspectives, insights, or concerns with the people of Eagle Mountain, Lehi, Saratoga Springs, Cedar Fort, and Fairfield — without the spotlight.
Every anonymous submission is reviewed and fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure it aligns with our commitment to accurate, community-centered reporting in Northern Utah County.