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Show Pg. 8 First White Settlers. Mr. Thomas J. Thurston of Centerville Davis Co. was the first white man to view Weber Valley. One day about 1862 he and his sons were getting out logs in the mountains east of Centerville and he saw this beautiful valley which reminded him of his old home in Ohio and he decided that this should be the future home of his family. He, with others, went ___ and partially explored the valley and built a road into it. This however, was little better than a trail. But a few years later, about 1866, a road was built in the north side of the river with a bridge and toll gate. Lead Jesse C. Little supervised the building of this road. The following was taken from the Journal of Mrs. H. Cordellia Thurston Smith: “One day while getting timber from the mountain tops in the vicinity of Centerville Davis Co., my father, Thomas Jefferson Thurston, went over far enough to see the beautiful Weber Valley situated on the river by that name. It was early summer and that little well-watered and well0worded valley was in strong contrast with the hot dry and almost barren Salt Lake Valley, and it reminded him of his old home in Ohio. He felt he must go over and explore it. Turn to Page 22 Pg. 9 Description Weber Valley is in the heart of the Wasatch Range. High mountains, covered with Juines and Quaking Aspens, tower on either side. The Weber River flows down through the valley and empties into Great Salt Lake. Cottonwoods and mountain willows grow along the backs of the river. Plenty of sunshine and pine fresh air are to be found here. Beautiful streams flow down the canyons fed by the winter’s snow and summer’s rain of higher altitudes.* It was Brigham Young’s policy to know the valleys, streams and lakes of Utah as well as the natural resources. Company after company was sent out to explore and settle. This valley was found to be an excellent place for cattle in summer time, because of the abundance of green grass and pure, fresh water. The only streams of importance were the river, entering *The historian Whitney says that Weber River was as much for trappers in this region |
