Pioneer Church Farm

Before Cache Valley had a single permanent town, it had a cattle ranch. In July 1855, twenty-five settlers drove some two thousand head of Church stock up into what the Shoshone called Willow Valley and built the valley's first cabin near Haw Bush Spring. The venture barely survived its first year — the winter of 1855–56 turned so savage that all but about 450 head froze, and the herders gave up and drove the survivors back to Salt Lake. Permanent settlement waited for Wellsville the next year; the old ranch ground lies in today's Nibley.

What the plaque says

No. 68 Erected April 11, 1941 Original Church Farm In July 1855 the first settlers in Cache Valley, 23 men and 2 women under the leadership of Martin Ensign and Bryant Stringham came to Willow Valley with about 2000 cattle, established Elk Horn Ranch near some fine springs, located about one mile northwest of this spot and built the first house in the valley. An early and severe winter killed most of the cattle; only 450 were alive in 1856. October 9, 1899 this property was deeded to Brigham Young College. Sun Flower Camp

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Hyrum State Park — 2.9 mi
  A family-friendly reservoir at the mouth of Blacksmith Fork Canyon
• Logan — 4.2 mi
  A vibrant college town tucked into a stunning mountain valley
• Wellsville Mountains — 6.0 mi
  The steepest mountains in North America for their height
• American West Heritage Center — 8.5 mi
  A living history farm spanning 160 acres of Cache Valley

More markers nearby

• Millville — 1.0 mi
• Hjorth Molasses Mill — 1.9 mi
• Camp Hollow (2) — 2.3 mi
• Providence Church (Old Rock Church) — 2.7 mi