“Rainbow Views: A History of Wayne County, Utah” offers an insightful journey through the history of Wayne County, compiled by Anne Snow. Published in 1953 by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers of Wayne County, this history explores various aspects of pioneer life and the development of the county. It covers the impact of early settlers, the evolution of industries such as cattle and sheep farming, dairying, and timber and lumbering, as well as the establishment of essential services like roads, schools, and medical facilities. The book also delves into the rich cultural heritage of the county, including its relations with Indigenous peoples, the formation of communities, and the role of religious and civic organizations.
Wayne County, nestled in the south-central region of Utah, is characterized by its rugged landscape, including mountains, hills, and canyons, as well as its distinctive and vividly colored rock formations. Established as a county on May 2, 1892, it was formerly part of Piute County. Despite the lack of a written record regarding the origin of its name, local tradition holds that it was named by Willis E. Robison in honor of his son.
Compiled with contributions from numerous individuals, “Rainbow Views” draws on written records and firsthand accounts to provide a detailed and engaging narrative. While some information could not be confirmed through written sources, every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the historical statements presented.
Table of Contents
Wayne County, p. 1
Location, boundaries, area. Organization as a county. Name. Physical features. Drainage. Climate, precipitation. Population.
Before the Pioneers Came, p. 3
D. Julien. John C. Fremont. A. H. Thompson, collaborator of Major Powell. Jacob Hamblin.
Relations with the Indians, p. 5
Battle at Red Lake. The Peace Treaty. Indians and settlers. Indians leave the valley. Indian stories.
The Cattle Industry, p. 19
Grazing lands attract first settlers. Cattle brought by Thurber, McClellan, and Lewis in 1875. Cattle growers of a later period. Effect of creation of National Forests. Breeds of cattle. Troubles of cattle growers. Marketing, prices.
Dairying, p. 27
Early activities. Creameries. Cheese factories. Marketing. Circle Cliff Dairy.
Farms and Farming, p. 33
Temperature belts. Canals, ditches, reservoirs. Irrigation companies. Fremont River Soil Conservation District — investigations and recommendations of the committee. 1945 crop report. Farm Bureau. Farm machinery. Flour mills.
The Sheep Industry, p. 54
Pioneer sheep owners. Later growers. Breeds —- mutton and wool types. Operating and other expenses. Marketing. Ranges. The Taylor Grazing Act. Effect of Forest regulations. Price ranges for wool and lambs. Decrease of industry.
Timber and Lumbering, p. 61
Abundance of timber. Sawmills — water power, steam, diesel. Shingle mills. Amount of lumber produced. Marketing. Price range. Prop hauling.
Poultry Raising, p. 69
Chickens in pioneer days. Utah Poultry and Farmers’ Cooperative set up a station in Loa, 1935. Draper Egg Producers’ Association begin operations, 1938. Income from eggs and chickens. Turkey growers. Dividends and deficits.
Fish Hatcheries, p. 73
Roads and Transportation, p. 74
Pioneer roads. Poll tax. Money appropriated for roads. State, county and forest roads. Designation of first state road in Wayne, 1910. Road supervisors. Equipment. Bridges. Oil pavement. Automobiles. Airplanes.
The National Forests, p. 80
First National Forests, 1903—Aquaris and Fish Lake. Supervisors and rangers. Consolidation of forest lands. Improvements on forests. Forest fire at Roundys, 1935.
Communication, p. 85
Mail service and contractors. Telephone line 1907. Inadequate maintenance. Circuit becomes useless after power line is built. Mountain States Telephone Company constructs line. Dial system installed in August, 1951.
Rocks and Minerals, p. 92
Legend of Mine. Gold discovered at Eagle Creek, 1892. Placer mining. Small deposits of copper and coal. Tests for oil. Uranium claims and litigation over ownership of some. Valuable rocks. Worthen Jackson collection. Inglesby collection. Geological Surveys.
Schools and Buildings, p. 97
Precincts created. Superintendents. Consolidation of district. Length of terms. Construction of elementary buildings. School Board members. High school established at Thurber, 1913. Struggle of maintaining it. Free transportation a help. Four-room high school building finished, 1926. Seminary established 1927. Addition to high school building completed in 1937 with WPA labor. Activities of high school. Principals and teachers.
Medigal Services, p. 112
Doctors. Medical Cooperative 1940. Edwin C. Brinkerhoff, native doctor and his hospital in Bicknell. Nurses and midwives. A Pioneer Operation.
Ecclesiastical Organization and Activities, P. 129
Church of Jesus Christ the only one in county. Pioneers belonged to Grass Valley Ward, Sevier Stake. Jeremiah Stringham first presiding elder. E. O. Blackburn bishop of Fremont Valley Ward, 1880. Thurber Ward created 1882. Other wards and branches organized. Auxiliaries. Wayne Stake created 1893. Stake officers. Tabernacle erected. Store house built. Welfare farm purchased.
County Government and Activities
County seat at Loa. Meeting places of county court. County purchases rock store in 1912. New Court House finished 1939. Damaged by fire 1948. County officers listed. List of representatives and senators to State Legislature. Six persons made citizens of U. S. County library established, 1919. State Bank of Wayne chartered 1920. Airports constructed.
Lighting Systems, p. 146
Candles and kerosene lamps. Malouf gasoline lamp. Carbide plants. Delco system. Tanner-Brian plant. George T. Eckersley organizes Peoples’ Power and Light Co. Garkane Power Association purchases Eckersley system.
Capital Reef National Monument, p. 148
E. P. Pectol and Joseph Hickman early promoters of scenic attractions. Clubs organized to publish wonders of region. Southern Civics Club. State Park created near Fruita, 1925, through efforts of Joseph Hickman. Mr. Hickman’s death. Dr. Broaddus helps through his pictures. In 1933, Mr. Pectol memorializes Congress to have Wonderland set apart as National Monument. Four years of effort. Success, 1937, when proclamation was issued. The celebration. Charles Kelley made superintendent of Monument. Poem, The Mad Sculptor. Sun Glow Canyon, a description.
The American Legion and Auxiliary, p. 158
Harold Brown Post organized 1922. Legion sponsors programs and projects of value. Commanders listed. Auxiliary organized 1934. Many worthy projects carried out by this organization.
Lions Club, p. 163
Human Interst Stories and Poems, p. 164
D. U. P. Organizations
First organization in Loa 1934. County organization 1935. Officers. Camps organized in towns. D. U. P. marker in Thurber. Funds collected for building in Salt Lake City. Committees appointed to gather material for history of Wayne County. Centennial celebration. Historical material given to E. P. Pectol for compilation. His death. Anne Snow compiles history. D. U. P. officers, 1952.
Communities
Their location, settlers, buildings, schools, stores and shops, craftsmen, religious activities, recreation.
Fremont, p. 177
Loa, p. 189
East Loa-Lyman, p. 210
Thurber-Bicknell, p. 225
Teasdale, p. 241
Torrey, p. 258
Grover, p. 267
Junction-Fruita, p. 273
Pleasant Creek-Norton, p. 277
Aldridge, p. 280
Cainesville, p. 282
Blue Valley-Giles, p. 293
Hanksville, p. 298