A NORTONVILLE TOLLEY HOME THAT WAS MOVED TO ST. GEORGE

The art drawing of the home below was photographed by a lot of tourist's coming along Highway 91 long before Interstate 15 was built to the east side of Nortonville, which was built in Pioneer time-after Nephi was founded in 1852. The Norton brothers were the first to farm there, as it was much like Mills and the Broadhead Ranch, located south of Nephi or what was originally called Salt Creek. Nortonville only needed small wells for culinary water and Birch Creek had the most pure water coming directly from the melting snow of Mt. Nebo. That kind of sufficient water kept the Aquifers high enough that farmers could easily obtain two crops of Alfalfa hay on Dry Land. The Norton Boys didn't enjoy the hardships of ranching, so they sold out to the Tolley and Jones families who did well until The Great Depression hit, and some lost their "Shirts". The final straw came when a newcomer to north Nephi had the government training and the money to dig a deep well, and as such, the giant Aquifers of Nortonville along with Mat Howards prize orchards were hurt and other farmers getting water from nearby Ord Springs. The art drawing Tolley home was carefully taken down and put back together for use in a St. George Tourist area. The last standing Nortonville Home sits alone at the intersection of Nortonville. The property there and below the tracks was where Ron Jones was born, and he showed me where the home was when he was 90 years old. The still standing home was built by Lee and Anna Tolley using discarded railroad ties, which could be picked up free of charge. Then Allen and Mary Tolley purchased it and had a herd of pretty gals grew up there. Now back to the drawing of the other Tolley home. That was where Elmer and Rex Tolley grew up. In the early 1960's while working with Rex Tolley, I asked if he would like to go back there to live. He responded by saying "Hell No" and then expounded about the convivences of modern day bathrooms rather than outhouses! The Two Holer Point was well taken! By the way, Elmer Tolley married Fonda, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. McPherson on Jan. 21st, 1918. We will try to squeeze one of the first Nortonville Homes and the folks there are left to right Elmer Tolley; Susie Downs; Alma Jones; Bert Jones(on the pony); Edward Jones; Jack Downs; Rodger Downs; Lizzie Jones; Wm. Jones; Emma Bryan.