On our
way to Star Valley Wyoming (Just shy of Jackson Hole) we found a disappointing amount of
year-round caches. So we created a couple virtual caches of our own!
In June 1870 a group of men left
Session Settlement (later called Bountiful) seeking a locality for a new settlement. They
traveled north, and entered the Bear Lake Valley. They continued over the divide to a new
settlement formed from a company from Paris, Idaho, later named Randolph. The travelers
were told of a stream of water about 10 mile up that would make a good settlement. After
arriving they were more than pleased. They saw the broad valley and green grasses and
willows. They made ponds in the streams causing them to overflow, which helped keep the
valley green, the mountain trout in the streams, the elk and deer herds in abundance. The
Indians were friendly and Chief Washakie was the leader at that time. In May 1871, the
town site was surveyed by Joseph C. Rich. (Woodruff is located in Rich County) His survey
permitted the location of homes to follow a systematic pattern with George Eastman
building the first home. A name was sought for the new settlement and it was decided to
give it the name of Woodruff in honor of Wilford Woodruff who made frequent trips to
Randolph to visit relative.
During 1895-96
Woodruff area population was around 486 and its residents were anxious for the long
awaited day Utah would become a state. Jan. 4, 1896 at 10:00 A.M. the news was wired to
Woodruff, and the Town bell (which now hangs at the Town Hall) was rung for five minutes
and again at noon. In Dec 1930 Woodruff received its first power lines and also its first
power outage as everyone wanted to use electricity. It wasnt until Dec. 4, 1933 that
Woodruff was granted petition by the Commissioners to become incorporated. Its first
officers were; B.D. Brown Pres., James Stuart, Rowena Tingy, Cloyd Eastman, and Sarah
Cornia as Trustees. In January 1996, 100 years after statehood Woodruff area populations
is around 350.
We dedicate this
town to those pioneers that founded and settled this community. It is through their united
efforts and faith that we have received our heritage.
To claim this virtual cache, email me who provided this
plaque to Woodruff, and in what year.
Remember, please don't put your answers in the log (not even decrypted answers) |