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| photo by C. Wayne Fox |
The purpose of this blog is to take us through territory we are aware of now with a late 1800s perspective. It is the same route my great grandparents, Charles and Anna Anderson, followed in 1884 from Grantsville, Utah to St. Johns, Arizona.
September 7, 1884 - Santaquin to Mona
Day 6 of 44 (Week 1)
Santaquin to Mona = 12 Miles (Total = 121 Miles)
Trip Average = 20.1 Miles Per Day (Week 1 Average = 20.1 Miles Per Day)
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| September 5 - 7, 1884 |
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| September 7 - 9, 1884 |
Original Journal Entry
Final Journal Entry
"Sunday Sep. 7 traveled 12 miles to Youngs, it rained all day, could hardly travel, paid 30 per span for feed."
"Sunday Sep. 7 We left Santaquin and traveled 12 miles to Youngs about 1 mile from Mona (or Willow Creek) it rained all day so we could hardly travel we put up at Youngs paid 30 cents per span."
Final Journal Entry
"Sunday Sep. 7 traveled 12 miles to Youngs, it rained all day, could hardly travel, paid 30 per span for feed."
A span are a pair of animals (as mules) usually driven as a team matched in appearance and action and driven together (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Near Mona they paid 30 cents per span. The price per span was recorded at different stops in C. P Anderson's Journal. This price varied as we shall see. Today this might be much the same as comparing the price for a gallon of gas at different spots along the road. The price for gas didn't vary so much.
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| photo by C. Wayne Fox |
Youngs Lavander Farm
How exciting to see this sign that showed Youngs up ahead. An actual identified place for the next stop that matched the journal entry (Youngs)!
There was a nicely furnished home (visitor center) with many different products for sale and even lavender ice cream. It certainly wasn't like this in 1884 when the only thing for sale was a place for the livestock to graze at 30 cents per span.
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| Western Village |
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| Paddle Boats |
There was even a castle with a jousting area. Watch the You Tube Video to get a better idea of this area. What a beautiful place to celebrate the arrival of the Andersons here 130 years ago!
Youngs is a beautiful area today
History of Youngs
Now that you have seen Young Living Lavender Farm, an explanation is in order. Back when the Anderson's camped at Youngs, this farm was not owned by the Young Family, but by Howard and Martha Coray (click). Yes it was the Coray farm. Howard Coray had a very interesting story. In a fun scuffle with the Prophet Joseph Smith his leg was broken. He had a blessing from the Prophet that he would soon find a companion, which came to pass when he married Martha Knowlton. While Howard Coray farmed and raised livestock on this farm, Martha grow herbs and began marketing her products. Today this place is called Young Living Lavender Farm but after Gary and Mary Young, who didn't purchase the land until 1996. Coincidently nearly 125 years later the Youngs are growing herbs on the same land in much the same way but on a grander scale as Martha Coray was doing.The Andersons didn't camp at the Lavender Farm in 1884. It was not called Youngs until 1996.
The place where the Andersons camped in 1884 was called Youngs, but Young Living Lavender Farms was not purchased by Gary and Mary Young until 1996. It is a coincidence that the lavender farm in 2016 and the place the Anderson's camped in 1884 were both called Youngs in their day.In 1884 when the Anderson's "put up at Youngs" it was probably with Branch and Parmelia Young just down the road about three miles from the lavender farm of today.
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| 1880 Census (House 69). Branch Young Family near where the Andersons probably camped in 1884 (1 miles from Mona) |
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| 1880 Census (House 89). Howard Coray Family about four miles from Mona where Young Living Lavender Farm is located today. |
If you didn't get enough ice cream at the Red Barn in Santaquin, you can buy lavender ice cream here. The Andersons couldn't do that.
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| Possibly close to area the Anderson's camped |
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| The Anderson's camped about 1 mile from Mona |
Branch and Parmelia Young Family
While in Mona, I contacted, Gordon Young, a great grandson of Branch Young. So about 130 years ago the grandparents of Gordon and I possibly met near this same location in Mona, Utah. Things have changed but the mountains in the background look the same.
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| Gordon Young in Mona, Utah |
Gordon said the Young Family lived in a small adobe house that burned about five years ago near the shed below. It is located about 445 - 350 West Street (near 300 South) in Mona, Utah. A local resident told me that they called part of the area in Mona at one time, Youngstown. So maybe we don't have to imagine. It could have been very near here where the Anderson's camped in September of 1884.
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| shed near former Young home 445 350 W (near 300 South) Mona, Utah |
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| Young farm in Mona, Utah |
The Young Living Center is 3 Miles from Mona. The Andersons camped one mile outside of Mona so this would mean they traveled 11 miles according to Google Maps. The Journal says they travelled 12 miles. Due to rounding the miles and where they camped in Mona and Santaquin this could easily be off by a mile.
When I arrived at Youngs Lavender Farms the mileage was about three miles off. We had only come 8 miles from Santaquin, not 11 or 12. This led to further research as explained in this blog. I wanted this to be the spot where the Andersons camped on September 7, 1884, but it was not to be. Sometimes those pesky details get in the way of how you want the research to go, or the answers you think or want. This is why sources should always be checked for accuracy.
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| Things aren't always like they seem |
Even though my ancestors did not actually camp here on this trip to Arizona, it will always be possible to stop at Young Living Lavender Farm. There could not be a better rest stop, and with plenty of activities for children. It is like a miniature Disneyland at the side of the road. Thanks to the staff for making our visit there most enjoyable!
Posted October 1, 2016
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| Fall Festival |
Day 6 is now in the history books (if it wasn't already). We have been on the trail for 1 week. We have traveled 121 miles and averaged 20.1 miles a day.
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| Coming in May to a blog near you |
A Surprise at Burraston Ponds - (Day 7)
A local resident told me of a place which would be interesting to check out in Mona. Turns out this has everything to do with the trip to St. Johns. Brent Aagard loaned me a book on Levan. It has some valuable information as well!
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| Kirk Fairbanks photo - taken in Levan sun and clouds |
The Journey Continues
What a beautiful place! I've seen the signs, but had no idea what was there and I certainly didn't know the history. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI love the scenery! I have never been that far north in Utah, but it is beautiful country with such rich history!
ReplyDeleteTrip is something which can always add charm to your life. You need to plan for it at the earliest. You need to make sure you have a great destination planned for you and your loved one. The best part about trip is you can have a great time with them.
ReplyDeleteThe Youngs Lavender Farm located at the St.Johns Arizona is a popular place of Honeymoon for the young couples. Equipped with a visitor home, Disneyland park, lake, and paddle boats, tourists just create memories of a lifetime.
ReplyDelete