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Wasatch County


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Wasatch County Facts:

County Website: Wasatch County
Area: 1,206 square miles
Population: 34,091 (in 2019)
County Seat: Heber City
Origin of County Name: from the Wasatch Mountains
Cities/Towns: Charleston, Daniel, Heber, Hideout, Independence, Interlaken, Midway, Wallsburg
Economy: hay, livestock, recreation
Points of Interest: Deer Creek, Heber Creeper, Historic homes in Midway, Jordanelle Reservoirs, Strawberry Reservoir, Wasatch LDS Tabernacle, Wasatch Mountain State Park

 

About Wasatch County:

With many high mountains and valleys, Wasatch County is never hurting for water.  There are many forests, rivers, and natural hot springs dotting the area.  Wasatch County was a hunting ground for the Timpanogos Ute Indians who lived at Utah Lake.  Fathers Escalante and Domingues came through the area in 1776 and went down what is known now as Spanish Fork Canyon.  Fur trappers used the county for trapping in the 1820's.  The first settlers were sent here in 1859.  Many of the families sent here were from Swiss backgrounds.  One family had so much difficulty farming with the hot water springs that they eventually set up a resort now known as the Homestead.  The railroad came to the valley in the 1900's to transport the county's sheep and also ore from the nearby Park City mines. Strawberry Reservoir was formed following the building of the Strawberry Dam in 1906.  The dam helped irrigate Utah valley and helped pave the way for larger projects such as the Glen Canyon dam.

Recently, Wasatch county was visited by people from around the world.  During the 2002 Winter Olympics Soldier Hollow hosted more than 15 events. Heber City, the county seat, has become known for Swiss days and for The Heber Valley Historic Railroad (or "Heber Creeper").  The railroad provides many rides for visitors to get a feel for riding the rails.  There are also many places to fish, hike, boat, and camp.  Places such as Wasatch Mountain State Park, Jordanelle State Park, and Deer Creek State Park all provide water activities for people who want to go only a short drive from the big city.

 

Resources:

More information for Wasatch County can be found at the following sites:

 

Gallery:


The Deer Creek Dam and Reservoir is a hydroelectric facility on the Provo River.
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 Heber Valley, with Deer Creek Reservoir in the background.
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#1744 working on the "Heber Creeper" alongside Deer Valley Reservoir.
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Looking northwest across South 600 West Heber City station depot of the Heber Valley Railroad in Heber City, Utah.
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The city sign on the northwest corner of the Midway City Park in Midway, Utah.
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Midway Social Hall.
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Lethe Belle Coleman Tatge's Watkins-Coleman House, Midway Utah.
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The Attewall Wootton, Jr. House, a historic home in Midway, Utah.
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Looking south at the Jordanelle Reservoir and Jordanelle Dam from Utah State Route 248 in Hideout, Utah.
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Looking down and northwest at the Jordanelle Dam from the Jordanelle State Park Overlook.
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The Wasatch Stake Tabernacle (built 1887-89) in Heber, Utah.
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Looking northwest at the Wasatch Mountain State Park Visitors Center from Warm Springs Road (Utah State Route 222) in Wasatch Mountain State Park.
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The Soldier Hollow - Olympic Legacy sign at Soldier Hollow station in Wasatch County, Utah.
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Part of the medals stand for the 2002 Winter Olympics at Soldier Hollow.
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