A HISTORY OF = 'Wasatch County Jessie L. Embry UTAH CENTENNIAL COUNTY HISTORY SERIES A HISTORY OF Wasatch County Jessie L. Embry Native Americans used Wasatch County for hunting and gathering activities, but prob­ ably no permanent settlers lived in the area until the Mormons arrived in 1859. They established communities following Joseph Smith's Plat of the City of Zion. Rather than living on isolated homesteads, they lived in towns and set up their farms surrounding the villages. The harsh weather and distant water sources of the region also encouraged coop­ eration. The area became known for its dair­ ies and cattle and sheep industries. But while the towns in Wasatch County started as typical Mormon villages, they have become more dependent on outside eco­ nomic forces. The state and federal govern­ ments have developed many of the county's natural resources, but they generally are used outside the area. The county includes much of the Uinta and parts of the Wasatch and Ashley national forests and boasts three res­ ervoirs: Strawberry (1910), Deer Creek (1946), and Jordanelle (1995); however, the stored water is used elsewhere. Wasatch County's history is the story of a transition from independent Mormon villages to de­ pendent colonies and bedroom communi­ ties of larger population centers. ISBN: 0-913738-08-5 A HISTORY OF 'Wasatch County A HISTORY OF Wasatch County Jessie L. Embry 1996 Utah State Historical Society Wasatch County Commission Copyright © 1996 by Wasatch County Commission All rights reserved ISBN 0-913738-08-5 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 96-60164 Map by Automated Geographic Reference Center—State of Utah Printed in the United States of America Utah State Historical Society 300 Rio Grande Salt Lake City, Utah 84101-1182 Dedicated to Ruth Grimshaw Witt Contents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix GENERAL INTRODUCTION xiu CHAPTER 1 Introduction 1 CHAPTER 2 The Land before Mormon Settlement 11 CHAPTER 3 Mormon Settlement of Wasatch County, 1859-1888 20 CHAPTER 4 Community Growth, 1889-1917 63 CHAPTER 5 War and the Roaring Twenties, 1917-1929 .. 114 CHAPTER 6 Depression, 1930-1941 166 CHAPTER 7 World War II 194 CHAPTER 8 Returning to Normalcy and Depression 1946-1975 220 CHAPTER 9 Years of Decision and Growth, 1975-1995 .. 273 CHAPTER 10 Conclusion 318 Vll viii CONTENTS 321 325 Acknowledgments W*he n the Utah State Historical Society hired me as a preser­ vation intern during the summer of 1977, my initial assignment was to research the buddings in Heber City and Wasatch County. I barely knew where Wasatch County was before I was hired, but for six months Heber became my home. I worked long hours photograph­ ing buildings, searching titles, and reading past issues of the Wasatch Wave. I lived with Ruth Witt, who became my historical consultant, booster club, and nurse. Years later when Kent Powell asked me if I would be wdling to write this centennial history of Wasatch County, I thought of Ruth. A citizen of Wasatch County by marriage, Ruth had adopted the area as her home wholeheartedly. She loved the land, the buildings, and the people. Because of her great devotion to the area and her support of my work, I have dedicated this volume to her. I sometimes tease Kent that I agreed to write this history because Ruth haunted me. Actually, I was delighted to be able to do something with all my research on Wasatch County. I never finished my work in Heber City because I was transferred to Salt Lake City. For nearly twenty years ACKNOWLEDGMENTS my research notes gathered dust. I started to write a book several times, but I never felt that I had enough material to complete a study. Receiving the contract for this history adowed me to complete my research and finady bring my study of Wasatch County to a close. There are almost too many people to thank, but I don't want to just list their names because each person provided special support. Kent Powed and Craig Fuller from the Historical Society listened to my concerns and complaints and gave me encouragement. When I was deciding if I really wanted to take the contract to write the his­ tory, Danny Jorgensen, a sociologist and friend from Florida, traveled through Heber and Round vadeys with me. His enthusiasm about the area was contagious. The staff at the Charles Redd Center for Western Studies at Brigham Young Univeristy assisted in the research. Rebecca Vorimo was not only a research assistant but also a friend and "Mother Confessor." I am especiady thankful for Rebecca's hard work in read­ ing the Wasatch County census. Then she and her husband, Pasi Vorimo, developed the charts that are included in this volume. Kris Nelson went beyond her job description as a secretary. She not only read the manuscript several times but listened to ad my joys and complaints. Widiam A. "Bert" Wdson, the Redd Center director, encouraged the project and told me that it was valuable. Other employees, such as transcriber Rachel Nathan, helped in processing Rebecca's oral histories. I received valuable assistance from archives throughout the state of Utah. I enjoyed working with the staff at the Brigham Young University Library, the University of Utah Special Collections, the Utah State Historical Society, and the Utah State University Special Collections. I am especially indebted to my friends at the LDS Church Archives. Ron Watt and Mike Landon helped me locate records and discover information that I might have overlooked. Other archives which are not used as frequently also provided assis­ tance. Bernice Mooney graciously opened the Catholic archives in Salt Lake City. I visited the Heber City office of the Uinta National Forest and received assistance from the staff there and from members of the Provo office. The staff at the Bureau of Reclamation office in Provo gave me the opportunity to look through their files. These ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xi helped me understand the construction of Deer Creek Dam and Reservoir. Wasatch County residents—past and present—have also helped with the project. The Wasatch County Commissioners made sure that the Redd Center was paid. I spent several days reading the Wasatch County School Board minutes in the school district office. The staff provided excellent working conditions. People in the Wasatch County courthouse and the Heber City offices also helped me find material. I am especiady grateful for Bob Mathis's assistance. When I worked in Heber back in 1977, Bob had just started working for the county. He provided me with office space and discussions about historic preservation. When I returned to write this history, I interviewed him about his experiences watching the county grow and change. I enjoy discussing history with Bob. Finally Jerry Springer, Kenneth O. Kohler, and Barbara and Guy S. McDonald, Wasatch County residents, agreed to read the manuscript. Springer helped me understand the mining history better. Kohler explained the on-going research on Native American history. The McDonalds pointed out some embarrassing errors and gave valuable insights on Wasatch County history since 1940, especiady aviation history. Friends and famdy have also supported this project. Janet Embry, my sister, friend, and critic, agreed to edit the manuscript as my Christmas present one year. My father, Bertis L. Embry, who spent years developing irrigation projects throughout the world tried to explain water law to me. Ron Shook agreed to celebrate almost every completed task. And countless other friends listened to Wasatch County stories. In other words, this history has consumed much of my time and thoughts for several years. County residents frequently asked me how my study would be different from How Beautiful Upon the Mountains. I worked very hard to explain how events in Wasatch County related to Utah and United States history. I also developed theories that tied the events together. I think I came up with some workable ideas that I hope will help Wasatch County citizens and others understand the area. But as with any study, these are my ideas. While others have helped and encouraged me, I am responsible for the final project. General Introduction Whhe n Utah was granted statehood on 4 January 1896, twenty- seven counties composed the nation's new forty-fifth state. Subsequently two counties, Duchesne in 1914 and Daggett in 1917, were created. These twenty-nine counties have been the stage on which much of the history of Utah has been played. Recognizing the importance of Utah's counties, the Utah State Legislature established in 1991 a Centennial History Project to write and publish county histories as part of Utah's statehood centennial commemoration. The Division of State History was given the assign­ ment to administer the project. The county commissioners, or their designees, were responsible for selecting the author or authors for their individual histories, and funds were provided by the state legis­ lature to cover most research and writing costs as wed as to provide each public school and library with a copy of each history. Writers worked under general guidelines provided by the Division of State History and in cooperation with county history committees. The counties also established a Utah Centennial County History Councd xiv GENERAL INTRODUCTION to help develop policies for distribution of state-appropriated funds and plans for publication. Each volume in the series reflects the scholarship and interpreta­ tion of the individual author. The general guidelines provided by the Utah State Legislature included coverage of five broad themes encompassing the economic, religious, educational, social, and polit­ ical history of the county. Authors were encouraged to cover a vast period of time stretching from geologic and prehistoric times to the present.