VINEYARD — For a tiny town that was incorporated just 11 years ago, Vineyard has a lot of history.
Vineyard (pop. 156) traces its beginnings to the late 1860s, when Shadrach Holdaway, a great-great-grandfather of current Town Councilman Grant Holdaway, began farming the area along with a few others. A new history book, published just in time for an Aug. 19 town reunion, points to 1899 — when the first LDS congregation was formed in Vineyard — as the community's official birthdate.
Organizers are calling this month's event, scheduled to include a parade, baseball game and dinner, a belated centennial celebration. After decades of fighting off annexation advances by Orem, Vineyard formed a municipal government in 1989.
In addition to about 35 families, most of whom are named either Holdaway or Gammon, Vineyard is home to Geneva Steel and 15 associated businesses. Tax revenue from steelmaking operations provides about 90 percent of Vineyard's $300,000 annual budget.
The impact of Geneva Steel, built in the 1940s, is one of several stories told in the 450-page history book. The volume also relates that Vineyard got its name from a sand hill — now part of Orem — conducive to growing grapes. When the town was still called Lakeview, early settlers battled a high water table and pushed swamps back into Utah Lake. A series of drains, pipes and clay tiles installed by early residents to make farming possible is still in place.
"Nothing quite so defines Vineyard as its proximity to Utah Lake," the book's first chapter begins.
The book showcases about 1,000 photos, including impressive collections depicting a century of the town's military veterans, schoolchildren and LDS missionaries.
A historical committee sought help from BYU English professor Don Norton and a handful of students in writing the book. Photos and stories came from Vineyard residents, some of whom donated personal historical collections.
"Some of the Vineyard people were recordkeepers," said Barbara Davies, town clerk and chair of the historical committee.
When Vineyard's farmers decided to start a town a decade ago, Orem officials predicted disaster. Some feared Geneva Steel would hold too much sway. But Vineyard's current elected officials say the town has shown remarkable resilience and foresight.
"I think we've surprised a lot of people," Grant Holdaway said.
Mayor J. Rulon Gammon says that while Vineyard's fortunes have risen and fallen with Geneva, which is currently in bankruptcy, the town has ensured its long-term viability by stashing money in a rainy-day fund. Unlike its past, Vineyard's future may not include much farming.
"Many of the young people would like to stay here but interest in agriculture is low," Gammon said.
One of the most unique aspects of Vineyard's history is the string of family ties. The Vineyard Historical Book documents those ties with a series of complicated family trees. Family relationships occasionally get in the way of running a town. But even when they disagree, Vineyard residents are quick to help one another and eager to get together for a party or ball game.
"We're dealing in many cases with our relatives and neighbors we know well," Gammon said. "That sometimes brings problems, but we've been able to work those out."
Right now, Vineyard is in the process of mapping its plans for the next century. Town planners are devising Vineyard's first master plan, and officials expect new homes will bring city utility services such as sewers and a water delivery system. Up to this point, Vineyard has relied on septic tanks and wells.
Vineyard has put disputes with Orem in the past, Gammon said. The two municipalities will break ground Aug. 18 on a shared park that will feature softball and soccer fields.
As for the future, the town's history book says, "If history has a way of repeating itself, and as assuredly as genes pass on the hereditary traits of a family, the true grit and tenacity of the settlers of the community will ensure that Vineyard's citizens will decide what is best."
Open to residents, former residents and descendants of residents, the Aug. 19 reunion is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at Vineyard Town Park. Books can be purchased for $30. For information, call Davies at 226-1929.
E-MAIL: carter@desnews.com