Providence Pioneers

Read the family names on this 1947 marker — Theurer, Zollinger, Fuhriman, Gassman, Baer, Loosle — and Providence's character comes through: this was Cache Valley's Swiss and German town. The first settlers camped here in May 1859, and Swiss convert John Theurer, one of them, rode back to Salt Lake City to meet arriving immigrant companies and steer his countrymen north. Neighbors called the place Little Germany. The heritage survives — the town still throws Sauerkraut Days every August, and Zollinger Park carries a founding family's name.

What the plaque says

This marker honors the first settlers of Providence, who camped near here early in May 1859, and those who followed in the years 1860,1861,1862. Included in the groups who pioneered this section are the following families: Alder, Bowen, Busenbark, Baer, Campbell, Clifford, Clark, Cranney, Dee, Durfey, Fuhriman, Flemming, Fife, Gates, Gassman, Greenback, Hafter, Hansen, Harmon, Hoth, Hug, Hall, Kresie, Lau, Low, Lane, Loosle, Maddison, Sperry, Sueifel, Theurer, Traber, VanLouevan, Williams, Wright, Zollinger.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Logan — 2.1 mi
  A vibrant college town tucked into a stunning mountain valley
• Hyrum State Park — 5.4 mi
  A family-friendly reservoir at the mouth of Blacksmith Fork Canyon
• American West Heritage Center — 6.0 mi
  A living history farm spanning 160 acres of Cache Valley
• Wellsville Mountains — 8.6 mi
  The steepest mountains in North America for their height

More markers nearby

• Providence Players — steps away
• Providence Church (Old Rock Church) — steps away
• River Heights — 1.1 mi
• Russell Maughan, First Flight — 1.8 mi