Walter C. Lyman is "The Father of Blanding." He was born Oct. 1, 1863, at Fillmore, Utah. He was an intensely public-spirited man, having served the community from the time he was a teenager. Walter accompanied has brother, Platte D. Lyman through the Hole-in-the Rock in 1880. This trip inspired him to want to come back to San Juan. He eventually came north to White Mesa with his brother Joseph A. in 1897. The possibilities of the country burned into his heart and from then on he devoted his time to the Mesa. He was a natural-born organizer--with a dream to match. He proceeded to survey ditches and land, and to try to get water onto the Mesa.
After Sylvia's tragic death, he was left with two little boys to raise: Walter Clisbee Jr. and Frederick Stanley.
He then married Elizabeth Finlinson. They had eight children together: Ethel, Marvin, Zola, Susan, Raymond F., Lynn, Margaret, George, and Barton. After Elizabeth's death he married Lucy Halls and they had three children: Bruce, Larue, and Wayne Demar. Leah Brown Lyman brightened the last 14 years of his life.
Walter C. Lyman home in Blanding, at the corner of 1st South and 1st West,
where the Hecks live now. (See article in Blue Mountain Shadows about his home Vol. 24 p. 19-21)
The articles below illustrate the role that Walter C. played in San Juan County history, especially Blanding:
Bringing Water to Blanding
The Blanding Tunnel
Blanding Irrigation Company
Lyman's role in development of Blanding
Father of Blanding San Juan Record Article
LDS Biographical Encyclopedia
Article on Walter C. Lyman home in Blue Mt. Shadows
Photos of Walter C. Lyman and descendants
Kumen Jones biographical comments on Walter C.
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