Honoring Our Roots: Daybreak, Copperton, and a Shared 100-Year Story

As Daybreak steps into a new year, it is also stepping into a meaningful moment of local history. In 2026, the neighboring town of Copperton celebrates its 100th birthday, and that milestone offers a perfect opportunity to reflect on the deep connections that tie our communities together.

Many residents may be surprised to learn just how closely Daybreak and Copperton are linked. Long before Daybreak became the thoughtfully planned community it is today, the land beneath it was owned by the Kennecott Mining Company. Kennecott originally founded Copperton in the 1920s as a town built to house miners and their families working in Bingham Canyon. A century later, that same company helped shape Daybreak, this time with a much broader vision centered on community, walkability, and connection.

Preserving Our Shared History

To help bring this history to life, we're shining a spotlight on one of Daybreak's resident-led groups, the Bingham Canyon History Club of SpringHouse Village. The club is led by residents who live quite literally in the shadow of the mine and the historic canyon towns, and who share a passion for preserving and celebrating the stories that shaped this area.

Bingham Canyon History Club

Founded two years ago by SpringHouse Village resident Anne Sheppard-Kurek, the Bingham Canyon History Club meets monthly and hosts guest speakers who explore the quirky, fascinating history of Bingham Canyon and its surrounding communities. What began as a way to help neighbors better appreciate local history has grown into something much bigger as plans take shape for Copperton's centennial year.

The club's 2026 goal is simple and meaningful: expand beyond monthly meetings and invite the wider community to learn about the rich history that unfolded right in our own backyard.

A Labor of Love: The Centennial Quilts

One of the most visually striking parts of the centennial effort is coming from the SpringHouse Village Quilt and Crafts Club, whose members were inspired to create not one, but two quilts that honor the connection between Copperton and Daybreak.

SpringHouse Village Quilt and Crafts Club

According to Connie Weaver, the quilts came to life through a shared artistic purpose. Club members, all from different backgrounds, gathered around a common interest: to create, learn new techniques, and share their work with the community. About twelve women, all quilters and crafters, collaborated to design and personalize house blocks representing SpringHouse Village, including details like:

• Arches and porches

• Zero-scape plants

• Street names

• Architectural details

To ensure authenticity, members took field trips to Copperton to photograph the town's distinctive 1940s homes. Through that research, they discovered something especially meaningful: the Copperton home styles influenced some of Daybreak's architectural designs.

Both quilts took roughly 500 hours and about a year to complete, making them true labor-of-love tributes to the history and homes that connect these communities. The final quilting process, sewing the backing, batting, and quilt top together, was professionally completed by Quilts on the Corner in Sandy, Utah.

Two Quilts, Two Purposes

There are two quilts, and each has its own purpose:

The Daybreak Anniversary Quilt is the "personalized" quilt. It will be permanently displayed in the Daybreak SpringHouse Village Clubhouse, Copper Ridge Event Room, beginning in April 2026. Each member selected a house block that resembled her own home and street name, making the quilt deeply personal. The center block depicts the sunsets seen over the terraced mountain mines, and Bingham Canyon history photos will be framed and displayed around it.

The Copperton Centennial Quilt is the "traveling" quilt. It will be displayed at local venues in spring 2026, then ultimately donated to the town of Copperton in August 2026 during their Centennial Celebration Town Days.

Copperton Centennial Highlights | 2026

Bingham Canyon History Club and SpringHouse Village Events

Late February 2026
• "Go West and Strike It Rich!" mining-themed bus trip to Wendover
• Includes a tour of the Enola Gay hangar

March–April 2026
• Copperton Centennial Quilt on display at the Gale Museum
• Community programs and guest speakers planned

May 2026
• Copperton Centennial Quilt exhibit at the Daybreak Library
• Special events planned to coincide with the display

Summer 2026
• "Galina Days" community event honoring Bingham Canyon history
• Centennial Quilt donated to Copperton during Centennial Town Days (August 2026)

Fall 2026
• SpringHouse Village Museum opens to the public
• Displays, videos, presentations, and speakers

Permanent Display
• Daybreak Anniversary Quilt installed April 2026 at the SpringHouse Village Clubhouse, Copper Ridge Event Room

Learn More or Get Involved
Contact Anne Sheppard-Kurek
Text or call 801-633-8451
Email annieklopnik@hotmail.com

Dates and details of above events are subject to change.

Celebrating Community Connection

Additional programs are planned throughout 2026, including community events, guest speakers, and opportunities for residents across Daybreak to participate and learn more.

This story is also a reminder of what makes Daybreak special today. There are dozens of clubs and groups throughout the community, each offering residents a chance to connect, learn, and share interests. To kick off the new year, we will include a QR code linking to Daybreak clubs, along with meeting and contact information.

As Copperton celebrates a century of history, Daybreak celebrates the people who keep that history alive. Sometimes, the most meaningful stories are the ones that started right in our own backyard.

Dave Robison, also known as Utah Dave, is the best Realtor/real estate agent for Daybreak, having lived there since the beginning and sold more homes than any other real estate agent: over 500 five-star reviews on Google and Zillow.

Do you have a Daybreak story worth sharing?

I am always looking to highlight the people and moments that make our community special. Call Dave Robison at (801) 390-1292 or contact me here.

Source: livedaybreak.com