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Standrod
Standrod is a little like the two Kansas Cities that are
separated by the Missouri River. Standrod,
Utah is located against the Clear
Creek Mountains,
part of the Sawtooth Range,
while Standrod, Idaho
is directly across the street from it into Idaho.
It is located 12 miles west of Strevell, Idaho,
partially in Box Elder County, Utah
and the rest in Cassia County, Idaho.
It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the beautiful Raft
River Valley
is to the north — out of the wind and very pleasant.
Standrod was first known as One Mile in the early 1870's.
Gosiute Indians (sometimes referred to as
“Digger Indians” because they dug for roots, burrowing animals
and insects) used the surrounding mountains for hunting grounds and a
“lookout” point. They were poor, peaceful Indians who lived in
caves, rock shelters and wicki-ups.
The first white men in the area were cowboys employed by
various cattle barons. The railroad planned to go through an area close to
Standrod at one time so settlers moved in,
building a school, store and blacksmith shop directly on the Utah-Idaho
border. However, the railroad never arrived. The first white settlers in the
area found the winters hard and supplies difficult to come by. The morale of
these people rose and fell as the ocean tide, but they didn’t turn
back. They were strong people with much faith who still enjoyed dancing and
singing and each other’s company. People began arriving to settle
Standrod at a rapid rate in 1900. Homesteading filled the flat with cabins
between Standrod and Raft River.
Droughts and poor soil prevented them from making a living and soon drove
them away.
Prior to 1900, people got their mail seven miles north of
Standrod down by the narrows where the pony express station existed. The post
office was called Erncliff. In 1903 a brick schoolhouse was erected on the
state line in the middle of town and served not only as a school, but a place
for all community affairs including meetings, a church, and a place for
dances. There was also a prosperous saw mill up One Mile. Two old saw mills
still stand east of Standrod, and three large, brick homes built with bricks
from Almo, Idaho,
prior to 1900 are still standing. The name of One Mile was later changed to
Judge Standrod in honor of Judge Standrod of Malad who was eager for Idaho
Statehood.
Agriculture is still the main source of income for the
people. Hay is the main crop, but some grain is also grown. Cattle and sheep
graze on the fertile mountain sides. The average yearly rainfall is between
10 and 22 inches, and the growing season is 120 to 160 days without frost. Malta,
Idaho is 30 miles to the north
where the children from Standrod now attend school. Many residents attended
an LDS Church
in Yost (10 miles southwest of Standrod) until 1977 when it closed its doors.
They then had to travel 25 miles on dirt roads to Almo to attend church
services.
Burley, Idaho,
65 miles to the north, is the closest large town, while Tremonton,
Utah is the largest town to the south,
approximately 70 miles. The good folks of Standrod enjoy a quiet, undisturbed
atmosphere. The town is accessed by gravel roads.
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