Osmond

The man the ward was named for was born in Hackney, in London, in 1836, and like most Mormon leaders of his generation he practiced plural marriage. That was part of what drew the church here: as Idaho prosecuted polygamists in the 1880s, Star Valley's seclusion, and a Wyoming governor thought friendly to them, made it a refuge. Osmond led the Star Valley Stake from 1892 until his death at Afton in 1913 and served two terms in the Wyoming Senate. His great-grandchildren include the singing Osmonds, Donny and Marie among them.

What the plaque says

No. 371 Erected 1970 Osmond Dry Creek, later called Mt. Pleasant, was settled in 1886. The first public building erected in this area, 1891, was a log schoolhouse also used as a church. Students furnished their own desks and stools. George Hardman, teacher. Osmond Ward, organized September 8, 1901, Andrew M. Neilson, bishop. Named honored George Osmond, first president of Star Valley Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• National Oregon/California Trail Center — 31 mi
  Emigrants came down off Big Hill and camped in the clover here. Brigham Young renamed the town; the trail center brings the camp back in costume.

More markers nearby

• Lander Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail / Stock Trail — 6.9 mi
• Lander Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail (Stump Creek) — 9.4 mi
• Lander Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail (Salt River Pass) — 12 mi
• First Public Building — 26 mi