The building is beautifully renovated and restored. Come and visit this new event center at the open house starting at 12 noon on New Year’s Eve, December 31 at 7 p.m. and going through the midnight hour. The center will host live music by the band Haywire and serve hot chili and drinks. There is no charge for the celebration.
Brief History: The Miller Mercantile Building, built in the year 1912, is significant for its contribution to the economic development of Huntington, Utah. The mercantile operation that occupied the building during this period was a successor of an earlier mercantile started by local residents and served as a key source of personal, agricultural, and industrial merchandise for residents of Huntington and other surrounding rural communities. The building is also significant for its association with George M. Miller. Miller, who was a merchant, lawyer, and real estate “agent” among other things, was a prominent leader in Huntington during the late 1800s and early 1900s, including the period of time he owned and operated the Miller Mercantile, Miller owned the building from 1912 to 1934. Miller also served in the Utah State Legislature during the time he owned the building and operated the mercantile, and was active in local irrigation companies, a grist mill, and several other enterprises during this time. He was clearly influential in shaping the political, economic, and social development of Huntington and surrounding communities.
Although the interior of the building has been altered over time, it retains much of its original floor plan, and most of its historical materials and finishes remain intact. The original floors have been restored. The walls still stand. The ceiling of the entire interior, save for the eastern half of the northern storefront space, is clad in pressed tin panels. The panels are coped at the top of the walls and along the sides of a series of heavy cross beams that support the roof. The panels have been painted a dark copper color to capture memories of the building having a copper ceiling when originally constructed.
In the southern store space is a historical vault located on the main level of the space. Many stories have been told about this bank vault. Come hear a few or tell a few.
A beautiful balcony extends along the interior of the front windows and extends on the north and west walls. A beautiful bridal room has been constructed to have a place for a new bride to get ready for a great event.
The Miller Mercantile Company was established amidst a burgeoning retail industry supported by the mining boom in nearby Huntington Canyon. The building also served as the operation center for a locally established and locally funded bank for a period of time and as the community’s post office.
The Miller Mercantile Company ceased operations as a retailer in 1916, though the Millers retained ownership of the property for another 18 years. In 1916, the mercantile sold its inventory to Ross C Bowen of Salt Lake City, who renamed the store Bowen Mercantile, a venture he ran until 1923.
Following Bowen’s exodus, a variety of different parties leased the building from the Millers and ran the mercantile. This lasted until 1934, when the Millers sold the building and property to long-time Huntington resident Clarence L Guymon.
The Miller Mercantile Building has a clear and traceable lineage as one of Huntington’s longest standing mercantile properties.\
Miller’s Landing to host grand opening/New Year’s celebration
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