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Lehi Historical Society and Archives

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Lehi Historical Society and Archives

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Armed with four boxes from Lehi historian Richard Van Wagoner and his own collections, John Knollin Haws Jr. Just four years ago, John Knollin Haws Jr.

invited four Lehi residents to help him form an archive for Lehi. Today, those archives boast more than 38,000 cataloged items. was just a man with a dream. But armed with four boxes from Lehi historian Richard Van Wagoner, Haws invited Lehi residents Judy Hansen, Mike Southwick, Rhea Lewis and Lynette Harris to help him form Friends of the Archives. “What started out with four members, has grown to around 30 people wanting to preserve our city’s histories,” said Lewis. Today, thanks to Haws and his vision, what basically started out as a kitchen table meeting has morphed into the Lehi Historical Society and Archives with its own building, located just south of the Lehi City Library. The society boasts more than 38,000 cataloged items, ranging in topics from biographical information, Lehi history, Lehi homes and police and servicemen to women of Lehi, newspaper collections, Lehi scouting and paintings from Lehi artists. With an impressive memory and vast knowledge of Lehi, Haws has written much of what is in the archives. He was an expert on Camp Floyd, the Pony Express, Saratoga Resort, Utah Lake, the sugar factories and much more. Born Jan. 13, 1954, to John Knollin and Shirley Messersmith Haws, John loved the family and old Lehi he grew up in. His wife, Jeanette, said, “He participated in every club there was in high school and served as student body president of Lehi High School from 1971-72.”
This was also when Haws developed his love for history and started collecting presidential pins and posters, which displayed fill a gymnasium. Jeanette said he began collecting when his grandmother wanted to vote for John F. Kennedy for president, but grandpa did not agree so she felt like she couldn’t vote for him. However, in defiance, she saved the newspaper announcing JFK’s win and gave it to Haws, sparking a lifelong passion. Haw’s father, Knollin Haws, described John this way. “He was a fine boy. He was friendly, warm and courteous. He got his Eagle. He did very little wrong. He was a straight arrow. He was exemplary.”
That exemplary boy grew up to go on a mission to England for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When he got back, at age 21, he ran for the Lehi City Council as a Progressive Party candidate and ended up being the first non-Democrat to win since 1967. His platform was that his youth could bring a fresh new approach to city government. He served from 1975-84. Over the years, Haws also worked for the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems and Kohlers. But at age 56, Haws did what many might have thought was too late to endeavor. He went back to school, fulfilling a lifelong dream of obtaining a degree in history education and graduating magna cm laude from UVU. That degree helped him become the debate teacher at Lone Peak High School. During that time, his debate team was named School of the Year for the National Forensics League (NFL), won sweepstakes at the NFL National Qualifier Tournament and took second at State. At church, Jeanette said, “He touched kids no one else could.” Just recently a man drove by while Haws was walking outside. “He screeched his brakes, hopped out of the car and ran back to give John a hug. They loved him because he loved them.”
Haws died June 28, 2017.

10/14/2026

The weather threatened to shut us down, but thankfully, it held off long enough for a wonderful celebration on Sat., Oct. 10, at Dry Creek Park, where we unveiled Lehi’s 24th historical marker!
What a special day honoring Canute and Sarah Peterson and the “Miracle of the Salvation Wheat,” which survived the devastating grasshopper plague of 1855 and provided food for her family and struggling neighbors.
We were especially delighted to welcome Peterson descendants from near and far, including our wonderful speakers, Jenny Lund and Mark Peterson, who shared stories of their ancestors’ faith, sacrifice and perseverance. Lehi City Councilmember Heather Newall offered beautiful closing remarks about how learning the stories of those who came before us connects us to our community.
Nicole Kunze of the Lehi Historical Society reminded us of something especially important: The only reason we know Sarah’s remarkable story today is because someone took the time to record it. What a wonderful reminder to preserve our own family stories!
Vintage tractors, pioneer farming tools and delicious wheat bread with homemade jam made the celebration even more memorable!
A special thank you to Bradley and Shawna Anderson for bringing wheat saved from the pioneer era and to everyone who shared tractors, displays and their talents to make the day special.
We are grateful to the John David and Danaca Hadfield family of Hadco Construction, Lehi City and its PARC Program, and our 2026 sponsors, Strata Networks and SIRQ Construction, for making the Lehi Historical Marker Program possible. Special thanks to Holbrook Farms for sponsoring this unveiling! Many thanks to John Jay Harrisfor the beautiful photos.
And thank you to everyone who joined us, especially the Peterson families. What a joy to see so many people come together to celebrate Lehi’s history!
For more on Canute and Sarah Peterson, see https://www.lehihistory.org/canute-and-sarah-peterson
NEXT UP: LEHI JUNCTION!
Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m.
754 W. 2100 North, Lehi
Enjoy these photos from our wonderful day! Remembering matters.

10/10/2026

The miracle of the Salvation Wheat unveiling

10/08/2026

We hope you'll join us this Saturday, Oct. 10, at 11 a.m., as we unveil Lehi's 24th historical marker, "The Miracle of the Salvation Wheat," at Dry Creek Park at the trail crossing at 1350 North and Nuttall Drive.

This remarkable story tells how Sarah Peterson's wheat miraculously survived the devastating grasshopper plague of 1855, providing food for her family and struggling neighbors. It's a beautiful story of faith, perseverance and generosity.

We'll hear from descendants of Canute and Sarah Peterson, enjoy displays of vintage tractors and farming equipment, and share some good old-fashioned bread and butter with jam!

We would love to have you join us as we celebrate another wonderful piece of Lehi's history! For more info, see lehihistory.org.

09/17/2026

Do you have a great Lehi history story to tell? We want to hear it! Leave your story in the comments, or send us an email at [email protected].

Photo from the Richard VanWagoner Photo Collection: Lehi 4th Ward Sunday School in front of Lehi Commercial and savings bank.

09/11/2026

What a wonderful evening celebrating the North Branch Meeting House of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!
Wednesday night’s unveiling of Lehi’s 23rd historical marker brought together history, music, memories and people with special connections to this beautiful 1894 building.
Gary and Rhea Lewis shared stories of their great-grandfathers, who served as bishop and first counselor when the North Branch was organized into the Lehi Third Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1903. Zeb and Jami Ray, owners of the meetinghouse and Jami Ray Vintage, shared how they came to acquire the historic building and the work they have undertaken to restore and preserve it.
Porter Wayman, a newly returned missionary from the Manchester New Hampshire Mission and a member of the Sego Lily Ward of the Lehi East Stake, performed his own arrangement of “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go.” Mayor Paul Binns closed the program with a reminder of the importance of remembering those who came before us and built the community we enjoy today.
Then came a particularly fitting moment. Current Third Ward Bishop Brett Nielson joined three former Third Ward bishops to unveil the marker—a wonderful salute to the many bishops who have served the ward since its organization in 1903.
And, of course, there was cake! It seemed only appropriate for a building where generations once gathered for socials, weddings, funerals and other important moments in life. Afterward, Zeb and Jami opened the old meetinghouse for tours, giving guests the chance to step inside and experience this special piece of Lehi history for themselves.
Beautiful weather, wonderful stories and so many good people made it an evening to remember.
We love celebrating Lehi history—and we love the community that continues to make that history worth remembering. Many thanks to John Jay Harris for the beautiful photos. Many thanks to our sponsors who make these markers and events possible:
Hadco ConstructionSIRQ ConstructionStrata NetworksWolf Peak ConstructionThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ray Vintage Group
For more info on the markers, go to: https://www.lehihistory.org/overview

09/10/2026

Marker unveiling for Old Third Ward/North Branch Meetinghouse

Address

99 W. Main Street , STE 100
Lehi, UT
84043

Opening Hours

Tuesday	12pm - 5pm
Wednesday	12pm - 5pm
Thursday	12pm - 5pm

Website

https://www.lehihistory.org/

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