Star Valley

This article is about a valley in Wyoming and Idaho, for the town in Arizona, see Star Valley, Arizona. For other uses, see Star Valley (disambiguation).

Star Valley south of Etna, Wyoming

Star Valley is located in the United States between the Salt River Range in western Wyoming and the Webster Range of eastern Idaho. The altitude of the valley ranges from 5,600 feet (1,700 m) to 7,000 feet (2,100 m). Three major Wyoming rivers, the Salt River, the Greys River and the Snake River meet near Alpine Junction at Palisades Reservoir. Numerous towns are located in the valley, including Afton, Thayne, Bedford, Etna, Smoot, Fairview, Osmond, Freedom, Auburn, Alpine, Turnerville and Star Valley Ranch. When Star Valley was settled in the late 1870s by Mormon pioneers. Primary sources indicate Star Valley was proclaimed the "Star of All Valleys" for its natural beauty by a general authority of the Mormon church. The name was later shortened to Star Valley. Another less supported theory about the origin of the name comes from Starvation (Starve) Valley, a name the area gained during bitter winters in the late 1880s. In the March 1889, over 40 inches (100 cm) of snow fell in two days.

History

Star Valley was inhabited mainly by Shoshone Indians in the summer and fall months until the early 19th century. The natives were drawn to the valley for its abundant game and the pure salt deposits found near the present town of Auburn.

White explorers are known to have traveled through the area as early as 1812, seeking new routes to the West Coast. Canadian and American trappers followed, frequenting the area through the 1840s. The 1850s and 1860s saw many emigrants passing through the upper Star Valley area via the Lander Road on the Oregon Trail. White settlement of the area did not begin in earnest, though, until the late 1870s when Mormon Apostles Moses Thatcher and Brigham Young, Jr. chose the valley for colonization. Archibald Gardner and members of his extended family arrived in 1889, building and operating five mills of various types in the valley.

On October 1, 2011, Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced in General Conference that a temple would be built in the valley. The exact location would be disclosed at a later date.

Communities

• Afton
• Alpine
• Auburn
• Bedford
• Etna
• Freedom
• Grover
• Thayne
• Smoot
• Mordor

See also

• Intermittent Spring (Wyoming)
• Swift Creek
• T.J. Guild

External links

• Star Valley Wyoming Community Website
• Lincoln County Govt Website