World's Biggest One of These Was Once In Hurricane, Utah

Southern Utah’s Economy Once Ran on Sheep

I enjoy history and I am always interested in learning more about Southern Utah’s past. Recently Brian Hinton of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers told me about Gould's Shearing Corral that was just outside Hurricane between 1910 and 1930. At one point it was the largest operation of its kind found anywhere in the world.

Hinton shared a compilation from Victor Hall on the subject. Back in the early 1900’s, sheep were an important part of the economy with up to 50,000 at a time roaming through Southern Utah and parts of Arizona and Nevada. They were used for wool and food.

How Do You Shear Sheep in Such a Rugged Landscape?

When shearing time came, it was hard for the men removing the wool to make their way to each herd. They needed a central location where the sheep could be brought and sheared. This is where the spot near Hurricane worked so well and Gould's Shearing Corral came to be.

Between the years when the Corral was active, over one million sheep came through. As you can imagine, it was a huge production. At one time a man named James Judd who was familiar with similar operations in Europe, said it was the largest of its kind anywhere in the world.

Call Hollywood, We've Got A Story

As you can imagine, all these sheep and herders congregating in and around Hurricane was a big event. The memories of those who lived during that time are fun to read. The sleepy little town became a bustle of activity as it doubled in people and multiple times that in sheep.

There was even a couple of run-ins with the cattlemen and the place was torched two different times as sheep and cattle competed for the same land. No one was ever caught for the destruction, and they just rebuilt the place afterwards. This would make a great movie.