Jefferson County

Established in 1913, Jefferson County has a rich and varied history, spanning more time and growth than this date might suggest. The area was first a hunting ground for the Shoshone and Bannock tribes, then a range for hundreds of sheep and cattle. After the Utah-Northern Railroad arrived in 1879, word quickly spread of the region's fertile soil and plentiful water. While Jefferson County became an agricultural hub through unprecedented irrigation developments, it also nourished the minds of children; several famous innovators, scientists, and authors call Jefferson County home. This volume is based on church records, family and community histories, newspaper articles, government records, and oral histories, reflecting the forces that brought the county together in 1913 and its continuing growth and change.