PARK VALLEY

Park Valley is on U-30 south of the Raft River Mountains. It was first settled in 1869 by William Cotton Thomas, who migrated from Brigham City and developed a cattle ranch near Dove Creek. The heavy growth of trees along the creek and the view of the valley inspired the name. Park Valley was on the Overland Route for early immigration to California. In 1826 Jedediah Smith passed through, in 1841 the Bartelson-Bidwell party brought the first wagon through the valley, and in the 1860's the railroad was built through the valley.

John W. Van Cott