Historical Background

When fur trapper Jim Bridger first discovered the willow-edged meadows and forested mountains of Cache Valley, he pronounced the site the most beautiful valley in the Rocky Mountains. In this century, novelist Thomas Wolfe passed through the area and said it was "the most lovely and enchanted valley I have ever seen, a valley that makes all that has gone before fade as nothing."

This enchanted valley was a traditional gathering place for Shoshoni Indians and, later, for fur trappers. Rough-hewn mountain men swapped furs, flour, sugar and stories. They also cached furs here, which is how the valley got its name. Fur trappers gave way to farmers, and along the way Cache Valley became known for its cheese, ice cream and gourmet cookies. In recent decades, high-tech spinoffs from Utah State University have created a new cache of business opportunities.

Today, residents and visitors enjoy the cultural benefits of a larger metropolitan area without the disadvantages, and still find a cache of pristine beauty and unparalleled recreational opportunities.

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