The Insider

Popular Categories

Monuments and Remnants

DUP Camp Geyser Seeks to Preserve Reminders of Early Settlers


A monument at Allred or “Jack’s” Point, was erected by Daughters of Utah Pioneers in 1961, and describes the settlement of the Allred family. Courtesy Lauralee Williams.

FREMONT – As we near the July 24th celebration of Utah Pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, we reflect on their heroics and bravery as they navigated the unknown. Let us focus on those first settlers of Rabbit Valley, specifically the village or town of Fremont, named for explorer John C Fremont who traveled through the area around 1853-1854 and for his namesake river. In the early days, the town of Fremont had a greater population than any other settlement in the county until around 1895.

In 1876 a small group of about twenty pioneers were called by Brigham Young to settle “Rabbit Valley.” They traveled up and over the mountains from Salina in covered wagons, herding a few sheep and cows along with their belongings on pack horses. They trudged slowly along, moving rocks and clearing a path through tall sagebrush to make way for the wagons.
The party consisted of Andrew Jackson Allred, his two wives, ten children, his older brother, Hackley, and his son Monroe and wife. Also with the group were William Wilson Morrell, his son Silas and William Henry Maxfield.

Andrew Jackson “Jack” Allred was born in Missouri, 1831. His father was a Captain in Zion’s Camp formed by Mormon leader Joseph Smith. Later Andrew’s family moved to Nauvoo then traveled to Salt Lake City with the Brigham Young Company, Andrew even rode in Young’s buckboard when he suffered “white swelling” in his left leg. They arrived into the Salt Lake Valley July 24, 1847. Once his leg recovered, Andrew went back to the Platte River and built a ferry on the banks for patrons to cross. He saved enough money and returned to Salt Lake.

In 1852 Andrew’s family and a few others traveled to Spring City, the first to settle among the Native Americans in the area. He learned the language and became an interpreter known as “Shungitz.” His family suffered many hardships including losing their livestock so they returned back and forth to Manti for protection.

Andrew married Chloe Stevens in 1855 and they had seven children while living in Spring City. Sadly Chloe died at age 34 there in 1872. Andrew then married Elizabeth Ivie in 1873, and they had two children. Then in 1876 they began their journey to Rabbit Valley to establish a trading post.
The Allred family built their first house on the east side of the Fremont River, but that winter when the river froze over and flooded much of the valley, they moved to what most know as Jack’s or Allred Point. This became a mercantile and rendezvous for Native Americans, stockmen and travelers, and later the first post office. The Daughters of Utah Pioneers erected a monument in 1961 describing this history at Allred Point.

William Morrell water-powered sawmill now resides in Fremont Park. Courtesy Lauralee Williams.

William Wilson Morrell was also with the first group of settlers. He was born 1830 in Ohio and came to Utah in 1849 around the gold rush era. He converted to Mormonism and traveled to Arizona with Jacob Hamblin, a revered diplomat who aided in relations with Native Americans in the west.
When William reached Rabbit Valley with the first party he returned to Kamas and brought his two wives and ten children. They had four oxen, one wagon, one buckboard, two horses and twenty-six head of cattle.

Once settled in Fremont, near Spring Creek, William built a water-powered sawmill located near Mill Meadow and he, his son Silas and Daniel G Brian ran the mill. Oxen dragged logs from Pole Canyon to the mill. The milled lumber was used to build many of the first buildings in Rabbit Valley. The mill wheel was recovered by family in 1972 and now resides as a monument in Fremont Park.

Among his many contributions to the area William W. Morrell along with William Taylor built the First Public Building in Wayne County in 1879. It was 20×30 feet, built of logs and used by the people of Fremont community as a church, school house, and public meeting place. It was then moved to the public square and used only for church purposes. The building was again moved in 1894 to its current location, now Fremont Park. It was utilized by the Fremont Relief Society where it was plastered, painted and covered with siding. The building was later given to Geyser Camp, Daughters of Utah Pioneers. It still stands in the Park today!

Stories of the first settlers are recorded but monuments and remnants, such as the First Public Building serve as physical reminders of early settlers, their hardships and our pioneer heritage.

The first public building in Wayne County, though moved more than once, still stands in Fremont Park. DUP Camp Geyser is seeking public support to repair this historic building. Courtesy Lauralee Williams.

There are countless stories about these brave men and women and children pioneers. Without recorded histories and monuments, memories of their sacrifice would pass and might be forgotten. The Daughters of Utah Pioneers organization is dedicated to preserving our pioneer past and we honor their names and achievements on this July 24th Pioneer Celebration.

Note: Camp Geyser – Daughters of Utah Pioneers has custodianship of several historic treasures. The First Public Building of Wayne County is in need of extensive repair and is literally falling down. If you would like to help us in our efforts to rescue and renovate this building, please contact us at PO Box 622, Loa UT 84747.Your support is greatly appreciated.