Uniquely Us

Burrville and Koosharem, two small communities that hold strongly to their southeastern corner of Sevier County have been described by some as being in the middle of nowhere. The people who live there laugh at this silly notion, knowing full well that these small towns are actually in the center of everywhere, that they are at the heart of hundreds of places to see, things to do, and dreams to fulfill. Many of those are accessible by simply stepping out of one’s house and taking a walk, riding a horse from a back yard corral, hopping on a ATV, or taking a short drive. From the Monroe Mountain on the West with its numerous scenic canyons and ATV trails to the Fish Lake Mountain to the East that features one of the most beautiful lakes in the world Koosharem/Burrville offers a slice of everything a person could want.

Without question, the most positive elements of Koosharem/Burrville are the people who are as authentic and genuine as any in the world. “Salt of the Earth” was surely coined regarding Grass Valley residents. Neighbors looking out for each other, working shoulder to shoulder, celebrating the successes and mourning the losses together. A societal fabric that strengthened over the test of time. Those who are required to leave for various reasons always find their way back home. Yes, people will keep saying that the residents of Koosharem and Burrville live out in the middle of nowhere until they come here, and then they understand that nothing could be further from the truth.

 

History

Around the first of June 1873, Brigham Young while at a conference, proposed to send an exploring party to Grass Valley and the Fish Lake country, east of Sevier County, with and Indian guide and mediator. He named the Uintah Indian Chief Tabioonah, an Indian who seemed to have a very intelligent and reasonable spirit. It was thought that Chief Black Hawk’s Band, who had been raiding the area, could be reached and peaceful relations established. The expedition would also determine the characteristics and facilities of the area related to possible future settlement. Joseph A. Young, son of Brigham Young, who presided over the settlers in Sevier District, particularly favored a move of this kind.

After full deliberations, it was decided to call upon Bishop Albert King Thurber of Spanish Fork, Judge George Washington Bean, and General William B. Pace and others as they might select to make ready for a twenty day trip. They were to start out by 15th of June in the direction of Grass Valley. Brigham Young Suggested that the long fertile valley be the place to focus their mission, as there were three or four bands of Indians within reach of that area who were obstreperous and threatening. Brigham Young also called Orrin Porter Rockwell to participate in the endeavor by immediately establishing a white presence in Grass Valley.

After taking time to make friends with some of the Indians, an appointment was make to meet at Cedar Grove on July 1st. Late in the afternoon in the midst of a severe snowstorm, between 50 and 100 Indians had gathered at the Grove. As the Company rode their somewhat jaded horses into that beautiful Cedar Grove, they found the Indians had a big sagebrush fire and were stretching a big tent as far as it could reach from tree to tree to be used as sort of a canvas to cover the missionaries. The squaws and papooses had lodges North of the Grove near the spring; only the Chiefs and Sub-Chiefs and braves met in council. It was found that the message was pretty well understood. G.W. Bean repeated to them that the whites and Indians were all Pe-nunk-tim (brothers, that the Great Spirit Shin-ob was the white’s Father in Heaven, and the Father wants all to live in peace and help each other. The Indians said “Wi-no” meaning good, and the Chiefs pledged peace with their significant handshake with the whites. This pledge was never broken.

Founding Families

The first white settler to arrive in Grass Valley was a man by the name of Praeter from Tooele County, Utah. He came to the valley with his family in the fall of 1872 and built a rock house on the west side of Otter Creek. The small house, partly a dugout was located about 300 yards south of where Koosharem Reservoir Dam was later built. The present day Praeter Canyon is named for him and is east across the Valley. The Praeters did not remain very long in the Valley.

G.W. Bean and A.K. Thurber, after their success of the recent peace negotiations were asked by Brigham Young to proceed as soon as possible into Grass Valley and to gather up and colonize the straggling bands of Indians in that vicinity. Among those called were the Bagley’s, Brown’s, Cloward’s, Burr’s, Hatch’s, Manwill’s, Helquist’s and others who mostly settled where the towns of Koosharem and Burrville now stand.

Compiled by Sandy Luscher, Koosharem Historian, October 8, 2024