Home to Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University and much more! What do you know about Utah County?
Quick Facts
- Utah County is located towards the center of Utah.
- It borders Salt Lake, Wasatch, Carbon, Sanpete, Juab, and Tooele counties.
- The County Seat is Provo.
- Utah County is 2,014 square miles.
- Utah County is the second largest county in Utah (based on population)
History
Utah County has always been know for its land for agriculture and fishing. This land is what brought the Ute Indians to establish in Utah county until 1776 when they traveled to California. From then many mountain men and trappers would stay in the area for a little bit. It wasn’t until 1849, when the Mormon Pioneers settled in Utah County. They were the first permanent settlers in Utah County.
Provo is named after the Provo river, which was named after the mountain man Etienne Provost.
“Early civic leadership was provided by Mormon church leaders for the area until the General Assembly of the State of Deseret – as the territory was known at the time – decreed on January 28, 1850 that “Utah Valley shall be called Utah County,” and established Provo as the county seat. That same date, a road eight rods wide was set aside, running from Ogden on the north, past the “Temple Block” in Salt Lake City and culminating in Provo. It was to be called State Road and it became a major thoroughfare for commerce and migration of early settlers from the Salt Lake City gathering point to outlying areas, especially to Utah County. Much of the old road exists today as State Street which runs through several communities.”
Today, many people live in Utah County. About 20% of Utah’s population lives in Utah County.
Cities/ Towns in Utah County
- Provo
- Orem
- Spanish Fork
- Lehi
- American Fork
- Springville
- Payson
- Pleasant Grove
- Saratoga Springs
- Eagle Mountain
- Alpine
- Lindon
- Highland
- Salem
- Vineyard
- Mapleton
- Elk Ridge
- Cedar Hills
- Woodland Hills
- Goshen
- Genola
- Cedar Fort
- Fairfield
- Elberta
- Benjamin
- West Mountain
- Spring Lake
- Lake Shore
- Palmyra
Places To Go/Things To Do
- Timpanogos Cave
- Thanksgiving Point
- Mount Timpanogos
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Fifth Water Hot Springs
- Brigham Young University
- Provo Canyon
- Stewart Falls Trail
- American Fork Canyon
- Utah Lake State Park
- Bean Life Science Museum
- and so much more!
I hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July!