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Show Preface 1 he legislation that created this project gave a very specific charge to the authors selected to write each county's history. Although great creative freedom exists within the guidelines, the settlement, economic, educational, cultural, religious, and political history of each county was to constitute the book. Specifically, the authors focused on county activities, not just on communities within a county. The historical form of county government outlines certain activities that dominate a county's existence: law enforcement, physical maintenance, and the work of a county attorney, assessor, and other officers. Cache County has a unique form of council government that distinguishes it from the state's other twenty-eight counties. Representing specific geographic districts, the seven council members effectively serve as a legislative branch of government. However, government is not the only aspect of Cache history that intrigues a student of history. The county is politicady interesting to students of economics and demography. Isolated geographically, Cache residents often reflect parochial views that reveal a genuine fear of the outside world and its vn viii PREFACE influences. Predominantly members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, thousands of residents have served missions throughout the world and a knowledge of the languages and culture of other nations and peoples is apparent and appreciated. Utah State University's graduates also go into a larger world with language skdls and experience. Despite this, many county residents remain suspicious and fearful. The area votes as consistently conservative as any in the very conservative state. Unfortunately, attitudes are often reflected in a polarized view of the world-them versus us, outside versus inside, Mormon versus non-Mormon. This historical reality fads to recognize differences and values among groups, interests, and individuals. To a degree, Cache County is isolated, although the recent expansion to four lanes of U.S. Highway 89-91 and its connection to Interstate 15 may change that. Some Utahns traditionady view Cache County as distant, cold, and parochial, and the evening television weather report often enhances the reputation for coldness, as temperatures are often ten degrees lower than in Wasatch Front communities. But Cache County is the economic, social, and cultural center of its own region, which also includes much of Rich County, southeastern Idaho, and, to a degree, Star Vadey, Wyoming. This is in part due to settlement patterns and famdy connections, but it is also geographic in nature. U.S. Highway 89 is an important route that connects Cache Vadey, Logan Canyon, Bear Lake, Montpelier Canyon, Salt River Canyon, Star Valley, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and eventually Yellowstone National Park. U.S. Highway 91 moves north through Franklin County, Idaho, and provides easy access for Idaho residents to shopping, cultural or athletic events, or Utah State University, which has played a major role in enhancing the county as a regional center since it was founded in 1888. The perception of isolation is certainly not the reality of county life; but most Cache County residents do enjoy the quiet solitude of small towns, open space, and close friends. Cache County is in some degree of turmod at the state's centennial. There are numerous unanswered questions about how to plan control, and accommodate the inevitable growth. Wdl rich farmland continue to be traded for subdivisions, parking lots, and urban PREFACE ix growth? Is there any master plan of development for the entire county? Will the citizen-directed 2010 Planning Project have any influence? What of U.S. Highway 89 through Logan Canyon? To what extent should the road be widened? and should all bridges be replaced? Can county communities remain as enclaves for traditional conservative values as the world changes and increasingly influences the county? Cache County and its vadey have long been described as a place of beauty and serenity; how long can that remain so? Ultimately, the primary resource of Cache County is its people. The mountains, lakes, streams, trees, and wetlands constitute a valuable resource; but, as I see it, people determine the worth of resources. As the county approaches the twenty-first century, there is a genuine need to evaluate the particular geographic entity that is Cache County, Utah, and understand its past in order to chart the future. Cache County is people as well as a place. From the Native Americans to the trappers to the settlers and beyond, the human impact on place is the story of this volume. The goal is to create a sense of achievement by recognizing the difficulties and examples of cooperative solutions. That is one of the county legacies. This volume tries to describe how county people worked, played, worshiped, learned, and served. The limitations of space mean that ad cannot be included and discussed. Each person has a story, and the whole is made from the combination of a variety of parts. There are many aspects of Cache history that need to be written; for example, contemporary agribusiness firms and local companies that have become significant merit histories, as do many individuals. Numerous public servants deserve specific interviews in order to assist future historians. Reed Buflen, Charles Buden, Evan Olsen, Lyle Hidyard, Ann Skanchy, Seth Aden, Sid Grod, and many other representatives of government deserve expanded examinations. The county's political history needs close attention as well. There is still much to do; however, for the purposes of Utah's statehood centennial, this study of Cache County's history fulfills an obligation and becomes a starting point. It has been a fantastic experience. Writing a local history is both enjoyable and demanding. There are many aspects of the complete story that cannot be told because of space limitations. Cache County is rich in primary resources; how- x PREFACE ever, many of them remain in private hands and are unavailable to researchers. Sadly, many sets of letters, journals, and business records have been lost. The numerous surviving personal journals, photographic collections, business records, and letters (or copies of them) need to be gathered into Utah State University's Special Collections or other repository. After spending years working with such secondary works and primary sources, I make a plea for those who possess such records to so place them in safekeeping where they can be preserved for (and used by) future generations. I am grateful to those who have already done so. I am grateful to the late A.J. Simmonds, who devoted three decades to researching, writing, archiving, and searching Cache County history. He taught me a great deal and his legacy of willingness to collect and use documents has not been forgotten. Robert Parson, a friend and codeague for life, helped me throughout the project. His history of Rich County provided significant guidelines. Craig Fuller and Kent Powell of the Utah State Division of History are close and patient friends who helped make this entire project a reality. The Utah State Legislature deserves considerable credit because it saw that a true centennial of statehood needed a tangible historical foundation. Cache County's state senator, Lyle Hdlyard, remained a consistent and enthusiastic supporter, as did various state representatives. A Utah State University sabbatical and a sojourn at Deep Springs Codege in California gave me the time necessary to finish the book. Joel Ricks and S. George Ellsworth, mentors and colleagues, paved the way for this book by collecting and writing history and encouraging students for a combined sixty years. Ad of those communities that formed committees to create a published history did a great service to the county. Dr. Doran Baker, an engineer and writer of history who adopted the vadey and remains one of its most avid historical supporters, continues to explore local history. The Cache County Historical Society-in my view, the best county organization in the state-continues to provide avenues for the discussion of history. The late Vera Christensen and her colleague Jean Pugmire deserve great praise for maintaining momentum in a purely volunteer organization. County executive Lynn Lemon and the Cache County Council, especially Ann Skanchy, provided leadership and PREFACE xi cooperation. Under the legislation, they had a responsibdity to gently remind me of my task and pending deadlines. Julie A. Anderson, who is the best secretary imaginable, Kami B. Peterson, and Natalie Rowe typed the manuscript and helped considerably with editing and clarity. The entire Special Collections Department at Utah State University, directed by Ann Buttars, are public servants in the truest sense of the term. My Scandinavian progenitors came to Cache County in 1862, but Mormon church leaders sent them to Bear Lake the very next year. Their posterity subsequently continued to drift back to their first American homeland. Cache County is a special place, and my famdy is more than grateful that we call it home. Their continual love and support is a sustaining reality that allows me to push forward with my dreams. I love them deeply and thank them for a wonderful life together. |
