The Start
A summary compiled from Highland History by Charles T Geenland II
Highland, Utah has an origin myth about its name. It is rumored that Highland was named by Scottish immigrants because it reminded them of the Scottish Highlands of their beloved mother country. The validity of this story has never been proven, but the scenery of the two places is not quite close enough to make them comparison stick. Highland was a very small town in the beginning. There were only 88 living here recorded on the 1880 census. Most of those people were early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Highland was not officially recognized as a city until the census of 1900. At that time, the population had increased from 88 to 195 residents. The size of Highland has changed since it was first designated as such. In the beginning, it contained 4840 acres. Now, it includes 5530 acres. This is an increase of 14%.
Where we are now
Highland is a thriving city that is neither too big nor too small. It is in fact just the right size. The population of Highland is 19,175. It is a great place to live! It is not crowded and crime-ridden like large cities, but close enough to other bigger cities to have all the amenities one could want in life. The population density is 2,221 people per square mile. The average income is $176,079 and the median age is 24. There are new houses and neighborhoods just waiting to be filled with happy families and a lot of access to parks. The local library has kid friendly activities all the time. It is a place where local businesses thrive.
Upcoming Events
4th Grade Arbor Day Essay contest
All 4th grade students are invited to participate in an essay contest. Three winners will be chosen from each school. Details about the contest will be sent to schools soon.
Arbor Day Tree Sale and Planting
May 1 & 8. The tree planting will be held on the first of May at 8 am. The tree sale opens May 1st to all Highland residents. The sale opens to all on May 8th.
Spring Clean Up
May 14 & 15. Dumpsters will be made available on these days for residents to dispose of metal, wood, and household waste. They will be in the parking lot at the mouth of the American Fork Canyon.
Highland Fling
August 2-7. This is an annual festival that includes many fun activities. We are trying to follow our normal traditions as much as possible without compromising safety. Read more at the Highland City Fling Website.
Find out more about these and other events at the Highland City Website.
The Future
There is a very exciting new park in development right now. The Dry Creek Debris Basin is currently being turned into a reservoir. This new lake will be lots of fun for all members of the family. There will be a convenient place to go swimming, fishing, and kayaking. It is also close to the Murdock Canal Trial for those who do not like getting their feet wet. The project is expected to be finished in the spring of 2022 (fingers crossed that there are no more delays!) Get excited for this beautiful new lake!
