2016 Issue

THE HISTORY OF SURVEYING UTAH By Greg Hansen U tah's central location in the western United States has always meant a steady flow of traffic across its expanse, and has earned the state- nickname "The Crossroads of theWest." As early as the 18th century Spaniards andNew Mexicans began exploring Utah in search of "short-cut" routes to the western coast. Their efforts resulted in a popular trade route known as "the Old Spanish Trail." In the first half of the 19th century, trappers and mountain men further explored the state plotting and mapping routes as they went. Their trails were used by thousands of pioneers and adventurers heading west. U.S. government sur- veyors began exploring Utah in the 1840s, and one of the first was John Charles Fremont. Often using mountain men as guides, Fremont generated reports and maps that provided valuable information for the government and helped stimulate westward migration. Fremont’s reports are said to have had a great influence on Brigham Young in bringing the Mor- mons to Utah. In May, 1843 while en route to the northwest, Fre- mon t de t ou r ed s ou t h when he reached the area known today as Soda Springs, Idaho. He then headed south through Cache Valley toward the Great Salt Lake. Following the Bear River to its mouth, Fremont and his party continued south to the Weber River to a point about six miles west of present-day Ogden. Fre- mont then proceeded west to climbing to its summit of what is known today as Little Mountain. It was there he and his men could view the Great Salt Lake in its entirety. Fremont’s next ex- ploration venture into Utah was ac- companied by Kit Carson. The Surveyors reached an island (now Fremont Island) and made a telescopic survey. They drew a map of the Great Salt Lake from its rocky summit. On September 9, 1843, the group carved a “large cross” which is still visible today. On this exploration trip, he is credited with naming the area the “Great Basin” and docu- mented the rela- tionship among the lakes and streams in this area. One of the next re- cords of surveying in Utah is associated with the arrival of the Mormons in July, 1847 and Brigham Young’s initial pioneer company known as the “Vanguard Company”. Orson Pratt, one of theMormon Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was a member of this group making their way from Missouri to Utah. John C. Fremont Orson Pratt John C. Fremont and Kit Carson SURVEYING | continued on page 62 61