Bordered by Idaho on the North, Tooele County with the Great Salt
Lake and desert
on the South, Nevada in the West and the majestic Wasatch Mountains
in the East
which include Cache County, Weber County and the northwest corner of
Davis County
... with a history as rich as any gold mine ... this is Utah's Box Elder
County.
Incorporated in 1869, 27 years before Utah became a state, Box Elder
is Utah's
fourth largest county in the state. Within its borders are 5,594 square
miles of
Great Basin valleys and salt desert (an area five times larger than
the state of
Rhode Island) and more than 1,000 miles of Utah's Great Salt Lake. Interstate
highways 15 and 84, and US Highways 30, 89, and 91 all serve this area.
This county
was named for the many box elder trees growing here.
County Seat: Brigham City
Land Area: 5,594 sq. miles with an additional 1,000 miles of Great Salt Lake
Crops Harvested: Fruits, Vegetables, Wheat, Mint, Mushrooms
Livestock Raised: Cattle, Sheep, Turkeys
Mining: Lime, Building Stone, Gravel and Sand
Manufacturing: Rocket Motors, Rocket Fuels, Air Bags and Initiators, Wool Products, Steel Products, Pontoon Boats and Tubes, Baseballs and Softballs, Bowling Balls, Church Steeples, Steel Fence Posts
Recreational Areas: Golden Spike national Historic Site, Crystal Springs, Willard Bay State Park
Sites of Interest: Willard Historic Stone Homes District, Box Elder LDS Tabernacle, Brigham City Museum Gallery, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Government: Three-man Commission
2000 Census
| Area |
1980
|
1990
|
2000
|
| County |
33,500
|
36,485
|
42,745
|
| Bear River City |
540
|
700
|
750
|
| Brigham City |
15,596
|
15,644
|
17,411
|
| Corinne |
512
|
639
|
621
|
| Deweyville |
311
|
318
|
278
|
| Elwood |
481
|
575
|
678
|
| Fielding |
325
|
422
|
448
|
| Garland |
1,405
|
1,637
|
1,943
|
| Honeyville |
915
|
1,112
|
1,214
|
| Mantua |
484
|
665
|
791
|
| Perry |
1,084
|
1,211
|
2,383
|
| Plymouth |
238
|
267
|
328
|
| Snowville |
237
|
251
|
177
|
| Tremonton |
3,464
|
4,264
|
5,592
|
| Willard |
1,241
|
1,298
|
1,630
|
Agriculture is the basic industry in Box Elder County. One third of
Utah's "dry
land" wheat is grown here. Box Elder has long been famous for its
peaches and
other fruit crops. Alfalfa, corn, tomatoes, potatoes and onions are
other primary
crops of importance. The dairy, cattle and sheep industries also contribute
substantially to the county's economy.
Topography
Most of the county is flat desert plain with an elevation of 4200-4600
feet above
sea level. The plain was an ancient part of the floor of Lake Bonneville.
Presently
over 1000 square miles within the county are covered by the remnant
of Lake
Bonneville, the Great Salt Lake. The lake's receding shorelines have
created
extensive marshes, mud flats and salt flats.
On the county's eastern exterior, peaks of the Wasatch Range rise
to over
11,000 feet above sea level, while those in the Grouse Creek and Raft
River
Ranges to the northwest reach almost 10,000 feet in elevation. A range
of low
mountains and hill running parallel to the Wasatch Range in the east
central part
of the county defines the Malad and Lower Bear River Valley in which
all the
urban areas are located and over 95 percent of the population lives.
Fertile soils
and a good supply of irrigation water in the Bear River Valley portion
of the
county has made it one of Utah's best agricultural sectors. Areas in
the central
portion of the county which are not covered by the Great Salt Lake are
generally
too alkaline to sustain any agricultural activity.
Climate
Precipitation varies widely within Box Elder County according to elevation.
Approximately four inches of precipitation is recorded annually along
the shores
of the Great Salt Lake, while the highest areas of the Wasatch Range
receive
over 30 inches per year. The county's cropland is typically in the 14
to 16 inch
annual precipitation zone. Most of the county's precipitation comes
in winter in
the form of snow. Killing frosts are not uncommon in the fruit-producing
areas of
the county.
History
During the 1820's and 1830's the area that is now Box Elder County
was frequented by numerous fur trappers and explorers. Probably the
earliest
visitor was Jim Bridger who made a canoe trip from Cache Valley down
the
Bear River in 1825, and was the first white man to discover the Great
Salt Lake.
Box Elder County's first non-Indian permanent settlers were the Latter-day
Saints pioneers. They arrived in 1851 and immediately began to build
the area in
typical Mormon fashion. The fields were plowed and planted; homes, churches
and public buildings were constructed using native materials and donated
labor in
the cooperative manner prescribed by church officials.
In 1855 Brigham Young sent Lorenzo Snow, who latter became
President of the Mormon Church, to take charge of the colony of
chosen families. Snow functioned both as the political and ecclesiastical
leader and the territory was known simply as the Box Elder Stake of
Zion.
It was these early pioneers that provided the area with most of its
present-day
names. For example: "Box Elder" comes from the abundance of
Box Elder trees
in the area; "Brigham City" (county seat) is named after LDS
leader Brigham
Young; "Willard," "Howell," and "Snowville"
are other cities named after Church
dignitaries. One outstanding exception to these "Mormon" named
cities is
Corinne. During the railroad boom years, Corinne was established as
a railroad
and freighting town. For several years the non-Mormon residents of this
boom
town boasted they were "The Gentile Capitol of Utah." However,
with the shifting
of the railroad and freight interests to other areas, the "Berg
on the Bear"
dwindled in size and stature and is now a quiet rural town. Much of
the early
pioneer spirit and influence if still felt throughout the county.
In addition to its rich pioneer heritage, Box Elder County was the
scene of one of
the most significant events in US History. It was at Promontory Summit
on May
10, 1869 that the last spike was driven to complete this nation's first
Transcontinental Railroad. The driving of that "Golden Spike"
at Promontory
Summit signaled an end to the great western frontier and eventually
changed the
history of our nation.
Fortunately, through the efforts of the Golden Spike Association of
Box Elder
County, events of that day have been preserved and reconstructed. Each
year on
May 10, a traditional ceremony commemorates the Driving of the Golden
Spike.
The site was proclaimed a National Historic Site and has become "Mecca"
to
railroad and history buffs. Tourists and historians from around the
world visit the
site annually. The beautiful new visitor's center provided by the Federal
Government, and the magnificent replicas of the famed locomotives "119"
and
"Jupiter" welcomes visitors all year round. The center features
movies, slides,
artifacts and displays commemorating "the wedding of the Rails."
In addition to the Golden Spike National Historic Site, Box Elder
County's
number one attraction, other points of interest are:
Locomotive Springs Waterfowl Management
Area:
Excellent hunting and fishing await the sportsman in this remote area
of the
county, located about 16 miles west of the Golden Spike National Historic
Site.
Because travel to this area can be hazardous, always check locally for
road and
weather conditions.
Lucin Cutoff:
On March 4, 1904, the original SP (Southern Pacific) main line through
Promontory Summit was replaced by a 12 mile long wooded trestle across
the
Great Salt Lake. This was and still is one of the most ambitious and
best known
railroad engineering achievements than the transcontinental railroad
itself. Though
the trestle was replaced in 1959 by a 54 million dollar rock causeway,
it is still
used occasionally.
Great Salt Lake:
This great "inland sea" is the second saltiest body of water
on earth. The saline
level is so great (about 23%) that the only life the water will support
is that of the
brine shrimp and larva of the brine fly. It covers an area of 1,500
square miles
(1,000 in Box Elder County) with 350 miles of shoreline and a maximum
depth
of only 48 feet. The lake has no known outlet, which accounts for its
unusually
high saline and mineral content.
Kelton:
Located 5 miles south of Utah Highway #30, Kelton, now a ghost town,
was the
last town built by the Central Pacific prior to the driving of the Golden
Spike.
Park Valley:
This area, located 28 miles southwest of Snowville on Utah Highway #30
knew
a brief period of excitement near the end of the century when a gold
vein was
struck. Hundreds of "boomers" streamed into the area and a
5-stamp mill began
turning out $500 a day in gold. In 1914 a group of Russian immigrants
attempted
to colonize the valley, but drought forced abandonment. Remnants of
those
mining and colonizing days can still be seen.
Box Elder County Fairgrounds:
Site of the annual Box Elder County Fair and Golden Spike Rodeo; located
in
Tremonton, second largest city in Box Elder County.
Hampton Ford Restaurant:
This one-time Mormon operated stage stop, freight house, express office
and
ferry site is one of the best preserved buildings from the 1800's still
in use. It is
located just north and east of Garland near Utah Highway#69 near the
town of
Honeyville.
Crystal Springs:
Taking its name from the natural springs it surrounds, this delightful
attraction
features swimming, water slides, picnic tables and snack bar as well
as an
overnight camping area. Crystal Springs is located on Utah Highway #69
near
the town of Honeyville
Mantua Reservoir:
Snuggled in mountain valley just east of Brigham City, Mantua is easily
accessible
and offers good fishing for trout, camping and quiet relaxation. Hospitality
in
nearby Mantua is hard to beat, as is the scenery in surrounding mountains.
Brigham City Community Center and Museum:
This multipurpose facility was completed in 1969 and serves the community
in
many ways - civic and social services as well as Senior Citizen offerings.
The
Brigham City Museum Gallery is housed on the lower level and presents
excellent shows and exhibits in art and history.
Brigham City L.D.S. Tabernacle:
Built in 1881, this historic religious edifice is still used regularly.
Visitors
are welcome to tour the building and grounds on their own, or to join
one of the daily tours conducted during the summer months.
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge:
Over 200 species of birds annually nest at this 65,000 acre preserve,
the largest of its kind in the nation. Operated by the US Department
of the
Interior, the refuge is located 15 miles west of Brigham City. It was
closed due
to flooding in 1983 it is now opened to the public and is currently
under
reconstruction and expansion.
Lake Bonneville Shorelines:
Almost every hill and mountain in Box Elder County offers visual evidence
of the
huge freshwater lake that once covered this area. The three major shelf-like
terraces along the mountains represent high-water beach areas; the highest
is the
Bonneville level, followed by the Provo level, the Stansbury level,
and finally the
now present Great Salt Lake level.
Golden Spike Empire "Fruitway":
Cherries, peaches, apples, pears, and many other fresh fruits and produce
in
season are sold at privately owned stands along a 12 mile stretch of
US 89-91
between Hot Springs and Brigham City. The fruitway has long been one
of
Utah's most popular visitor's stops, as famous Box Elder County peaches
and
other fresh fruits make unique and inexpensive gifts for friends back
home.
Willard Bay State Park:
Located between Ogden and Brigham City, just off I-15, this outstanding
10,000 acre marina and fishing reservoir is operated by the Utah State
Parks
and Recreation Department. Food concessions, covered picnic facilities,
swimming areas and boat ramps are contained in the park, which is open
annually April to November. The reservoir is quite an engineering feat
as the
canal which feeds it is also its outlet.
Willard Peak:
Rising up well over 9,000 feet and standing guard over the town of Willard
below, Willard Peak is one of the most outstanding landmarks in the
County.
"Inspiration Point" offers a panoramic view of the entire
area and aptly justifies its
lofty name. This whole section of the Wasatch Mountain Front is visual
evidence
of the tremendous mountain building forces of nature.
Employment-Business
As employment in agriculture decreased in the years following World
War II, manufacturing suddenly emerged as the driving force of the
economy. In 1956, Thiokol Chemical Corporation announced plans to
build a solid fuel rocket propellant plant in Box Elder County. Thiokol
came to
Utah in response to a search for a site relatively close to transportation
facilities
but also in an area where rocket firings could take place. Up to 11,000
acres
were needed. The first plant was a $15 million research and development
center
located 27 miles west of Brigham City. Almost overnight Thiokol became
the
most important singe source of personal income and employment in the
county
and became Utah's largest civilian employer. The population of Brigham
City
nearly doubled as many people moved into the county to work for Thiokol.
Production at Thiokol depends almost entirely on government defense
contracts.
The major contract was the first-stage or booster for the Minuteman
Missile
Project. It is now involved in the Shuttle Program.
In the last few years more industry has come to Box Elder County,
increasing
employment opportunities for Box Elder residents;
David J. Joseph Company, Steel Shredder Mill, adjacent to Nucor at Plymouth.
La-z-Boy Chair Factory, Tremonton.
Nucor Steel Plant, Plymouth, 10 miles north of Tremonton.
Vulcraft, Joists and Steel Balls, Brigham City.
Colorado Steel and Wire, Brigham City.
Morton International, Brigham City.
Flying J Corporate Offices, Brigham City.
EA Inc., Tremonton.
Selected Major Employers in Box Elder
County - 2001:
| PRIVATE EMPLOYERS | |
| Autoliv ASP |
2065 employees
|
| ATK/Thiokol |
3200 employees
|
| La-Z-Boy |
1150 employees
|
| Walmart distribution center |
490 employees
|
| Nucor Steel |
350 employees
|
| Vulcraft |
320 employees
|
|
Columbia Brigham City Hospital |
210 employees
|
| Kents Foods, Brigham and Tremonton |
205 employees
|
| ABC Associated Construction |
200 employees
|
| Maddox Ranch House |
190 employees
|
| Malt-O-Meal (under construction - in production by 2002) | |
| Smith's Food and Drug |
100 employees
|
| Merit Trucking |
100 employees
|
| Storm Products |
90 employees
|
| Intertape Polymer |
80 employees
|
| PUBLIC EMPLOYERS | |
| Box Elder School District |
1024 employees
|
| Box Elder County |
177 employees
|
| Brigham City |
200 employees
|
| Tremonton City |
44 employees
|
Education
Box Elder School District serves the entire population of Box Elder
County. Currently in Box Elder County there are two high schools: Box
Elder High in Brigham City and Bear River High in Tremonton/Garland
serving grades 10-12. The School District has recently revamped the
school structure creating two middle schools which serve grades 8-9:
Box Elder Middle School located in Brigham City and Bear River Middle
School in Tremonton/Garland. Two new intermediate schools serving grades
6-7 are the Alice C. Harris Intermediate in Tremonton/Garland and the
Adele C. Young Intermediate in Brigham City. The nineteen elementary
schools will serve kindergarten through fifth with the exception of
Grouse Creek and Park Valley schools which will serve the K-10 grades
in those outlying areas.
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Copyright 2001© Box Elder County. All rights reserved.