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Show Volume XI Issue IX THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 9 February 15, 2005 Jefferson Hunt Chapter Makes Historic Ride—Visits La-Plata, Ghost Town of Roaring 90’s President David O. McKay—Honorary Life Member, [Note: This article appeared in the Sons of the Utah Pioneers’ news magazine dated August, 1957, and is being reprinted by permission of the National Society of the Sons of Utah Pioneers. ] SUP—Leads Mounted Posse of 70 Over Back-Trail he Rode as Courier 66 Years Ago. trucks and trailers. It was a big job Lorin’s crew handled it in style. and By Dr. Eldon M. Drake, Utah State University, Logan Members of Huntsville’s Jefferson Hunt Chapter, SUP [Sons of Utah Pioneers], relived events of the 1890’s on July 6 when they trekked on horseback to one of Utah’s famous ghost towns—La Plata, high in the mountain wilderness east of Ogden Valley. Some 70 SUP members and guests made the trip to the old mining mecca. pioneering in the are: Guest riders included George T. Frost, Weber County commissioner and captain of Weber County Sheriff's Posse; Frank Browning, Ogden civic leader; and President Robert, Edward, and Llewelyn. Fifteen members of Huntsville’s Troop 30, Boy Scouts of America, greeted the riders at the ghost town site. The scouts conducted Memories Haunt Old Mining Camp Plata as he knew it as a boy. Sixty-six years’ absence from the townsite hadn’t dulled his memory of specific incidents . . . the fourhour horseback ride in from Huntsville... the two hour wait at the La Plata post office . .. the return ride down Geertsen Canyon with mail and the camp news He pointed out that the dearest thing of all concerning the July 6 trip was the motivated Historical Photo President McKay gives Scout Stephen Frazier a Jirst-hand picture of La Plata as it was in 1891. As a courier, President McKay made daily trips into the mining town aboard horseback. Cabin 1S One OF tne Jew In its heyday La Plata had a post office, bank, newspaper, hotels, and sundry stores. SUP posse stops on trail to breathe horses. Jefferson Hunt chapter turned out en masse for historic visit to one of Utah's almost forgotten ghost-towns. Trek was President McKay first trip into LaPlata since he knew it as a horseback mail courier in 1891. Highlight of the day’s journey was the presence of President David O. McKay, who led the trek astride his favorite sorrel gelding. For him the visit to La Plata was of unusual interest. As a boy of 18 back in 1891, President McKay rode horseback as a courier between Ogden Valley and the mining town. This was his first visit to La Plata since he last Riders left Huntsville by auto at 9 a.m. All were mounted up and on the trail at 10:30. The five-mile trek into La Plata was a beautiful ride. The trail was dotted with wild flowers, lush meadow grass, stately groves of quaking aspen, and an occasional beaver dam. At the head of the long column were President McKay, J. Earl Felt, Wm. Farrell and Ernest R. McKay. Ernest, who is National Executive Chairman of the Son’s Pony Express Centennial Committee, gave periodic accounts of the episodes of the early Ee At 83, President David O. McKay proved a real horseman in leading the mountain trek. Riders at the rear of the column complained ae : Uadade he “set too fast a pace.’ saw it as a mail courier 66 years ago In its heyday, La Plata was a real boom town. It had a bank, a newspaper, stress, saloons, gambling halls, a hotel and its fame was widely publicized. Such mines as the Mammoth, Sage Hen, Queen of the Hills, Sundown, Bluebird and Northern Star brought fame—and temporary fortune, to the town and its inhabitants. However, the mines soon played out. The rich galena (lead) ore didn’t run deep enough, and La Plata became a ghost town almost overnight. Its 3000 citizens moved on to other bao a few shacks remain. Mine shafts a bygone era are all but caved in. An eecaicanl sheepherder or hunter is its only resident. Heading up the Jefferson Hunt trip was J. Earl Felt, past president of the Huntsville chapter and chairman of the trek arrangements. Lorin Hardy took over the job of arranging transportation for riders and horsHelping him were Keith Jensen, Mark Allen, Harold Newey, and Norman Montgomery. The mounts were moved from Huntsville to the head of Beaver Canyon in NEW OWNERS Same Great Service! To Show Our Appreciation FREE Cookie Day 2/21 Double Stamp Tuesdays Also Serving Breakfast 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 745-9660 570 South 7800 East South Fork Village Huntsville, Utah 84317 ; William Farrell, president of Jefferson Hunt chapter, left, and J. Earl Felt, mounted trek chairman, right, look over ghost-town site with President McKay. Only a few shacks of the once booming camp remain to mark the slopes where once 3000 people lived. 5 Hanisvilfe Troop 30, BSA provided ¢ a colorful flag-raising ceremony at La Plata trek, July 6, 1957. Trumpeters played the national anthem as SUP riders moved into the valley. Photos courtesy of Eldon Drake of Logan, Utah. an impressive flag-raising ceremony and three trumpeters played the national anthem as the riders and their mounts stood at attention. Troop leader Leland C. Richardson and his scouts had hiked into La Plata through Middlefork Canyon, July 4th. In the mid-day setting of pine trees and a cold mountain stream, a short but colorful program relaxed the riders. Chairman Earl Felt introduced the special guests. Invocation was offered by chapter chaplain Wilmer Jensen. Ernest R. McKay led group singing and gave brief accounts of the La Plata townsite. President McKay kept members of the large crowd on the edge of their log seats with an impressive and realistic story of La = A = = CO Cl - ‘e < feeling that prompted the SUP group to make the trek. “To be with choice friends, commune with nature and thanking God for what He has done, will give us memories about this day we will always cherish,” he said. “May we keep in our hearts the feelings and blessings of friendship and brotherly love exhibited here today,” he concluded. He commended leaders of the group for the masterful arrangements on the journey. The benediction was offered by Chaplain Jensen. Hungry riders (and Boy Scouts) dug into the appetizing victuals prepared by Dale Newey and committee members Willmer Jensen, Chester Engstrom, Carlyle Doman, and Burns Wangsgaard. & VGUdate (Eden/Huntsville) Currently For Sale CR & ESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE There are currently 25 homes on the market in the Ogden Valley area. The asking prices range from $225,000 to $840,000. The asking price per square foot ranges from $74.99 to $223.88, with an average asking price of $121.05/square foot. (Based on total square footage as reported in the multiple listing service.) For information about each home currently on the market, please see the chart below. During the last 3 months, 13 homes sold in the area with sales prices ranging from $185,000 to $664,000. average sales price was $296,484 and the average days on the market was Homes Interest Rates Interest rates are currently around 5.375% for a 30 year fixed interest loan. Lower rates may be available on other loan programs. For information on interest rates as well as the wide range of loan programs available, give me a call. Your Home’s Value The value of your home depends on its age, style, condition, and location. You should not base the value of your home solely on the basis of these stats. For a complimentary market price analysis of your home, give me a call. More Information If you have real estate questions, would like a complete property report for your area including full descriptions and photos, or a complimentary market price analysis, give me a call. . | Dick Payne . | Associate Broker “No Payne No Gain” 940-4040 for Sale Address in the List Price Ogden Sq. Footage Price/Sq.Ft. 5194 E. 3900 N. $245,000 1940 3875 N.MOUTAIN. OAK DR. $319,900 3500 $91.40 2059 E. 5950 N. $321,000 4074 $78.79 26.29 3796 E. 3300 N. $249,900 2935 N. WOLF CREEK DR. 2378 $105.09 $499,900 4505 $110.97 3583 N. ELKVIEW E DR. $525,000 4647 $112.98 4458 N. 3150 E. $329,000 3688 $89.21 6029 E. 1900 N. $239,000 2016 $118.55 3643 N.PATIO SPRINGS DR. $$435,000 4200 $103.57 2969 NORDIC VALLEY WAY $339,000 3800 $89.21 3249 E. 5400 N. ST. $295,000 3490 $84.53 3700 N. FOOTHILL LANE $595,000 4962 $119.91 6470 N. NORTH $840,000 4249 $197.69 3777 N. MOUNTAIN. OAK DR. — $315,000 2890 $109.00 1969 $365,000 4150 $87.95 $374,900 4999 $74.99 FORK RD. ple 1965 3650 4 aay CIRCLE $263,900 2494 $105.81 6763 E. 6725 N. $599,000 3155 $189.86 4501 E. 3450 N. $294,900 3528 $83.59 $589,000 5755 $102.35 $499,000 5360 $93.10 $309,900 1600 $193.69 3938 N. 4825 E. $500,000 4156 $120.31 6560 N. WOLF CREEK $225,000 1005 $223.88 $234,900 1100 $213.55 $392,128 3505 $121.05 5314 E. ELKHORN CIRCLE 5110 E. 2275 N. 5088 E. MOOSE 3600 MOOSE AVERAGE HOLLOW HOLLOW DR. DR. The Valley Area All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. ee information was provided by the Wasatch Front Regional MLS. All properties are subject to prior sale, charge drawl. Neither listing broker(s) nor Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage shall be responsible tO ony typographical errors, misinformation, misprints, and shall be held totally harmless. qT M are licensed trademarks to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation. 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