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Nibley City History Book is now Available
The Nibley City History Committee is pleased
to announce the publishing of the Nibley City History book. This book is the
culmination of years of research by a dedicated group of residents as they
pieced together the first printed version of our city’s history. Call
the City Office (752-0431) for costs and availability.
A Brief History of Nibley City
Cache Valley was occupied by the Shoshone Indians prior to
it's settlement by Mormon Pioneers. Trappers arrived in Cache Valley in 1824
under the leadership of John Weber of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. Several
trapping companies operated in the valley during the next 20 years. During
that time, the beaver and bison were virtually eliminated.
In 1849, the valley was surveyed by the U.S. Army Corps of
Topographical Engineers. Reports of Cache Valley's abundant range and
beautiful setting were conveyed to Brigham Young by army officers, trappers,
and Mormon scouts. In 1855, the Utah Territorial Legislature granted Cache
Valley to Brigham Young as a herd ground for his increasing numbers of cattle.
A company of cattle owners was organized to take cattle to Cache Valley under
the direction of Briant Stringham. The site they chose was located near the
Blacksmith Fork River by some springs about a mile northwest of the Nibley
Ward Chapel on Main Street and 3200 South. The ranch they established was
named the Elk Horn Ranch and became the first Mormon settlement in the valley.
A severe Winter forced abandonment of most of this early
settlement, except for a few settlers. Those left at the ranch suffered during
this severe winter as food became dangerously low. When Spring came, barley
was planted. This venture, like the ranching, was also unsuccessful.
As settlers continued to enter Cache Valley, relations with
the Shoshone deteriorated. Although little physical contact occurred, theft of
stock and grain was commonplace. Tight settlement patterns were encouraged to
help provide security for these early settlers.
In 1860, settlers at and near Elk Horn Ranch were advised to
move to the East side of the Blacksmith Fork River where they would be safer
in the event of an Indian attack. Serious threats from Indians ended in 1863
when a major battle was fought in Northern Cache Valley. In the 1870's, the
remaining Indians were forced to enter reservations.
Shortly after those early settlers gathered on the East side
of the Blacksmith Fork River, the Millville Ward was organized. Once the
Indian threat had diminished, some of the settlers moved back to the West side
of the river to what was called West Millville. A variety of activities were
operated in this area, including a blacksmith shop, a molasses and grain mill,
a general merchandise store, a slaughter house, a dairy and a nursery.
Water for the settlers in Millville Ward was supplied by the
Millville Water Works Company. In 1915, as the population continued to grow,
the company found it's water supply inadequate and began to search for
additional sources. Yeates Springs, located near the Blacksmith Fork River on
the Southern boundary of present day Nibley, was selected and purchased from
John Yeates for $500.00. From these springs, 28,000 feet of redwood pipe was
laid along the county road to service residents living west of the river. The
system was paid for by selling stocks to those receivers for $262.50 per
share.
In 1920, the Millville Ward was divided. That area west of the
river was Nibley Ward, named after Charles Wilson Nibley, presiding Bishop of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1907.
Nibley precinct was created in 1925 as a separate political
entity by the Cache County Commissioners. In 1926, repairs were begun to
replace leaking water pipelines. Also, at this time, a ward chapel was built
in Nibley.
In 1933, the Millville Public Works Company applied to the
Public Works Administration (PWA) for a $2,500.00 loan to replace existing
water pipelines. The loan was refused on grounds that the PWA did not make
loans to private companies. Since loans to incorporated towns were
permissible, the stockholders voted to dissolve the company and turn the water
system over to the town of Millville. Consideration was also given to having
Nibley incorporate as a town.
On May 21st, 1935, a mass meeting was called to
discuss the incorporation of Nibley. A motion was made "that we do incorporate
so as to be eligible to take over the water works and get the government
grant." The motion passed and town boundaries were drawn up which included all
members of the Nibley Ward and extended 20 rods on both sides of all included
roads. A petition was presented to the Cache County Board of Commissioners and
on August 30th, 1935, Nibley was incorporated. Today, Nibley has
grown to a population of about 2000.
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