Cedar Crest Lodge Motel
Known Name(s)
Cedar Crest Lodge Motel
Address
555 So. Main St. (starting 1959) Cedar City, UT
Establishment Type(s)
Motel
Physical Status
Demolished
Description
Cedar Crest post card courtesy of the Batty family.
John and Melva Rowberry in undated photo courtesy of the Batty family.
Detailed History
John and Melva Rowberry owned and operated the motel along with several local movie theaters. They were often honored in Cedar City publications for their community-minded business practices. During World War II their businesses hosted drives to supply the war effort. The Rotary Club and Cedar City Chamber of Commerce awarded John Rowberry honors for outstanding citizenship. John was born to a large Mormon family in Canada. His father died when he was five years-old and John had to leave school early to help his mother earn a living. For years they struggled for want of food and clothing. The family moved to Oregon to run an inn and eventually settled in Utah. John and Melva moved to Cedar City in 1941. They designed and built the Cedar Crest Lodge as a modern, safe, and welcoming place for all to stay. Their motel was the only privately owned business in all southern Utah to be listed in the Green Book.
Sources consulted:
Olive W. Burt, "Genial Johnny Booster for Southern Utah," The Deseret News, Sunday, August 22, 1948.
Recollections of granddaughter Nanette Batty, correspondence with the author, February 24, 2023.
