From orchards to suburbs, Perry’s community keeps it simple
Perry is a large residential area about 4 miles south of Brigham City, sandwiched between mountains in the east and marshes in the west. Originally settled in the 1850s, Perry has a history rooted in agriculture as part of Utah’s famous “Fruit Way,” a line of fruit stands that extend a portion of U.S. Highway 89. While some of the original orchards are still around today, most of the city has turned suburban with a variety of housing options. “Perry is a smaller town and not as busy as Brigham City or Ogden. A lot of people here would rather live in a smaller community and are fine driving a bit to a grocery store or restaurant,” says Stefanie Tugaw-Madsen, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker who has about 30 years of experience.
Perry’s restaurant scene and nearby commerce in Brigham City
The dedicated corridor along Highway 89 is known for its access to local produce. “We call it the ‘Fruit Way’ because there are a lot of orchards and fruit stands that sell fresh fruit and vegetables along it,” Tugaw-Madsen says. “Peaches are what we’re famous for, but there are cherries and apples too.” Shopping and dining options are limited in Perry, though there are a handful of restaurants along Hwy 89. Maddox Ranch House is a regionally famous restaurant dubbed “Utah’s Original Steakhouse.” The restaurant also has an old-fashioned drive-in that serves burgers and milkshakes. Another option is The Rusted Spoon, which serves Ameircan breakfast and comfort food. A Walmart Supercenter can be found just outside of the city.
For more options, Brigham City is directly north of Perry and there are multiple fast-food restaurants, including McDonald’s, Taco Time and Arby’s. Downtown Brigham City is 4 miles away with specialty stores, local restaurants and a Smith’s grocery store.
Indoor entertainment that puts on a show
There are a few options for indoor entertainment in Perry. The Heritage Theatre is located in an old church built in the 1890s and hosts live community theater performances. The Walker Cinema, a family owned movie theater.
A wide selection of single-family homes from the 2000s
Homes in Perry are lined along residential streets, with sidewalks, and are accompanied by large grassy lawns with mature trees and driveways. Contemporary, single-story homes built in the 2000s to 2010s are common, some with Craftsman features such as pointed roofs, front gables and stone accents. There are also ranch-style homes and split levels from as early as the 1960s. Prices range from $490,000 to $650,000. Multi-story homes are also common in the area – both new construction and those built in the 2000s. Some have a New Traditional design, while others are more Craftsman-inspired. These cost between $500,000 and $840,000. A handful of new construction estate properties are also popping up on the market for roughly $1.2 million.
For additional single-family housing options, Perry has multiple townhouse communities. “We have had a lot of townhouses that have come up in the past few years, though there are still the older townhouses with HOAs from the ’90s,” Tugaw-Madsen says. These go for $320,000 to $440,000.
Mountains, marshes and major city parks
While Perry is primarily residential, there are a handful of parks in the area for outdoor recreation. Both Perry Park and Anderson Park have playgrounds and picnic shelters, though Perry Park also has baseball and soccer fields. Perry Centennial Soccer Park has two full-sized fields. Dale Young Nature Park has walking trails that wind through the green space and scattered tree stump sculptures of woodland animals along the way.
A handful of natural areas surround Perry as well. The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Center is about 6 miles north and has a 12-mile auto tour exploring the marshes. Fishing, hunting and hiking are allowed. Roughly 7 miles south of Perry is Willard Bay State Park, which surrounds the Willard Bay Reservoir. There are two marinas in the park with boat launches into the water. Visitors can also go swimming, fishing and camping.
Trail access leads into Cache National Forest and connects with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in the Wasatch Mountain range. The Perry Canyon Trail is one of them and follows Three Mile Creek. “They’ve been working to get more trail systems in the area,” Tugaw-Madsen says. “A lot of people like using ATVs in the mountains.”
B-rated Box Elder public schools
Children living in Perry can attend schools in the Box Elder School District. Three Mile Creek Elementary School earns a B grade from Niche and offers a Dual Language Immersion program. From there, students can go to the B-minus-rated Adele C. Young Intermediate School for sixth and seventh grade. Box Elder Middle School, for grades eightth and ninth, scores a B-plus. Box Elder High School receives a B and offers over 50 student clubs, sports and organizations.
Promontory School of Expeditionary Learning is a charter school in Perry that has a C grade and teaches Kindergarten through eighth grade.
Navigating Perry’s highway systems by car or bus
Perry’s expansive landscape requires a vehicle to get around. Utah Transit Authority (UTA) bus services have stops scattered along Hwy 89, which is the area’s main thoroughfare. It also travels north and south for commuting to Brigham City, about 4 miles away, or Ogden, around 20 miles away.
Interstate 15 also goes north and south, directly west of Perry. “I-15 isn’t as convenient. You have to go all the way up to Brigham to access it,” Tugaw-Madsen says. The Salt Lake City International Airport is roughly 58 miles away.
