Cache Valley

The Cache Valley is an agricultural valley of northern Utah and southeast Idaho that includes the Logan metropolitan area. The valley was used by 19th century mountain men and was the site of the 1863 Bear River Massacre.

History

Following habitation by the Shoshone and other indigenous peoples, Michel Bourdon discovered the Cache Valley c.1818 during a MacKenzie fur expedition. The valley was subsequently used for annual gatherings of mountain men.^[2]

Mormon William Gardner became the first settler in 1852. Prior to the Mormon selection of the Salt Lake Valley, Jim Bridger had recommended the Cache Valley due to its relative abundance of fresh water. A Mormon settler group led by Peter Maughan arrived via Box Elder Canyon (commonly referred to as Sardine Canyon) in July 1856 and additional settlers arrived on September 15.

During an 1863 expedition from Camp Douglas, Utah to Cache Valley, the United States Army attacked a Shoshone village at the confluence of the Bear River and Beaver Creek (now Battle Creek) in what became known as the Bear River Massacre.

Communities

Cache County Communities:

Franklin County Communities:

Transportation

U.S. Highways US-89 and US-91 enter the valley from the southwest as one highway, and then separate in downtown Logan. US-89 goes northeast into Logan Canyon, and thence to Bear Lake, a large lake in the area. US-91 goes due northward into Idaho and connects to I-15. Several state highways run through the valley. In Idaho, State Highways 34 and 36. In Utah, State Highways 23, 30, 101, 142, 165, 200, and 218.

The valley is served by the Cache Valley Transit District (CVTD), a zero-fare bus system. CVTD primarily serves the Logan area however offers shuttle service to Preston.

There are two airports in the valley, the Logan-Cache Airport and Preston Airport. Neither airport provides commercial service however Salt Lake City International Airport is within driving distance.

See also

List of valleys of Utah

References