Millville, Utah has some of the oldest homes in Cache Valley dating back to the late 1800s. With abundant family history in the area, you're sure to find historical homes to have a few 'bumps in the night' from Spirits of old. Whether they're family lingering from beyond the veil, somethin simply curious, or somethin mischievous, it's no secret that Cache Valley is known to be fairly haunted. And whether or not locals like it, it's just how it is.
Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures recently came here to Millville, UT, to help out a local family with their own dealings with hauntings. Having one of the oldest homes in the area, it's no surprise that something may be lingering.
Some history about this location: George White Pitkin built the first log home in Millville, before the settlement was organized or named. He and his sons, Ammon Paul Pitkin and George Orrin Pitkin, built the home in 1859. The family moved into it in late spring 1860. The present location of the home is 136 W. 100 South, in Millville. It became the Pitkin homestead. Church and school were held there. As George White Pitkin was an educated man, he taught until a "proper" church and school were built. Later, the Pitkins built a two-story rock home with walls 2 feet (0.61 m) thick. George died at the age of 72 on November 26, 1873, and is buried in the Millville cemetery.
Some more history:
he settlers at Millville encountered very little Indian troubles, although one of the camping places of the Indians was near the settlement on the Blacksmith Fork River and many visited the town to get something to eat. The houses of the settlers were built close together but not in the usual fort formation. However, it was necessary to build a large public corral where the cattle and horses were guarded at different times. People at Providence and Logan had herd grounds west of Millville, so they cooperated in building the corral and all the cattle and horses were placed in it at night.
Aside from the attempt of the Campbell’s and other early settlers at Providence to get irrigation water in connection with the ditch made to bring the water to the Edward’s Sawmill, the first irrigation water was taken from the large spring east of the settlement, later known as the Garr Spring. There was not sufficient water so the settlers were glad to cooperate with the people of Providence and built the present canals that extend through the settlement from the Blacksmith Fork River. These canals made it possible to bring under irrigation many more acres of land in both settlements.
The first mercantile institution in the settlement was a small Co-op Store in charge of William Garr and was located on one of the Garr lots just east of the Whitney residence near the old log house in which John Garr lived the last years of his life. The store was sold to John Titcomb and he moved it near the present home of Mrs. Elsa Olsen. George Yeates and his son, Frederick Yeates also opened up a small store where the present store building of John Johnson is located. George Yeates, called “Grandpa Yeates,” also operated a cider mill west of the store building and had made cider and vinegar that was advertised all over the Valley. He had a particular way of aging his cider that made it a delicious drink and at the same time had all the necessary “authority” in it. On holidays, especially, the cider mill cellar was quite a gathering place and the cause of many lively times in the settlement.
Mr. Frederick Yeates conducted the store in connection with the post office for many years. Two blocks south, Mrs. Annie P. Anderson Jessop also conducted a small store for a number of years.
The United Order, as established in a number of the settlements, by the L.D.S. Church, was started in Millville, but it was not a success as the people were not prepared for such a radical change in their social and economic life. However, Thomas Jessop, Richard Jessop, Alfred Humphreys, William Neaves and several others joined the Order for a short time.
Millville organized its militia in compliance with the request from Apostle Ezra T. Benson and Peter Maughan. Mr. John King was captain and helped to train the men and take them for the encampment of the Valley military on the Church Farm and other drill grounds. Mr. Franklin Weaver had charge of the minutemen.
Dramatics were an important feature in the social life of the people. The Calico Troupe was organized with Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Humphreys as leaders and among the principal performers. Mr. Humphreys, who was short in stature and often called “Daddy Humpherys,” possessed considerable musical ability and had charge of the choir and all the musical productions which added so much to the social life of the people.
Joseph Hovey remained as bishop but a short time when he moved to Salt Lake City and was succeeded by George O. Pitkin. Mr. Pitkin acted as bishop for more than thirty years and for a brief period was acting President of the Cache Valley Stake. Through his frank, outspoken manner, humorous expressions, practical jokes and contact with the people, he became well known in the Valley. He always stood for progress and worked energetically for public improvements. He was a type of those sturdy pioneers whos word was as good as their bond. As a young man he was strong and athletic, as well as fearless, and was always a champion for the weak. In crossing the plains as a teamster to help the poor emigrants to get to Utah, he had many occasions to come to the defense of weaker men and boys who were being imposed upon and abused by others, or some bully
***You can read MORE history here: https://www.mendonutah.net/history/cache_county/41.htm
**BRING YOUR OWN WRITING UTENSIL; Please watch for Muggles in this quiet little cemetery. Please be respectful and mindful of the graves! Parking is fairly accessible, as you drive into the cemetery. You are fully responsible for following Local law, your litter, and being Stealthy. Please place the Cache back where it comes from. If you noticed it is damaged or if it missing, please Contact me immediately. If the log needs replacement, feel free to replace it, or contact me.
***FTF will find a small Mahagony Obsidian stone I have personally found (I'm a Rockhound) as a "Thank You".