The railroad was an important part of living in Cache Valley during the nineteenth century. Settlers first began arriving in 1856, and by 1868 the transcontinental railroad was completed just slightly west of here in neighboring Box Elder County.

Local community leaders began planning a branch line to Cache Valley in 1871. From that point on goods were easily shipped in and out of the valley, resulting in a better standard of living throughout.

Check out the following sources to learn more:

• Reeder, Claren A., Jr. The History of Utah's Railroads, 1869-1883. New York: Arno Press, 1981. [Not available in the Logan Library]
  
  
• Robertson, Donald B. Encyclopedia of Western Railroad History, Volume 1. Caxton Printers, 1986-1998.
  
  
• Strack, Don. Utah Rails.net. 1998-Current.
  

~ Jason, Special Collections Librarian