The Legacy of Laketown
Population
1896~~321 1996~~330
The Laketown area was originally inhabited by members of the Shoshone, Ute, and Sioux
Indian Tribes. They engaged in fishing and hunting around the southern end of Bear
Lake. During the winter of 1811 the first known non-native American visitors were five men
trapping beaver. Through the years between 1825 and 1840 fur traders participated
in the many Mountain Men/Indian rendezvouses conducted on the south end of Bear
Lake Some of the more well known attendees were Jim Bridger, Jedediah Smith, and
Peter Skene Ogden. In the spring of 1867 without consent of proper authority and in
violation of the Indian Treaty, men from the settlements of Round Valley and Meadowville
moved to the present site of Laketown and began to build shelters and clear land. When
the Indians protested to President Brigham Young of The LDS Church, he sent Charles C.
Rich to settle the dispute. A new treaty was drawn up which allowed the settlers to remain
in the south end of the valley, but were required to supply the Indians with food upon
demand. By 1868 The LDS Church who was sponsoring the development of the valley
moved to set up the permanent settlement of Laketown. The first meeting and school
house were built in 1868 in which church services and school classes were held. A post
office and store followed in 1871 and 1874. Some of the original settlers who have
descendants still in Laketown include the Kearl's, Westons, Willis', Johnsons, Robinsons,
Lamborns, Earleys, Cheneys, Prices, Wahlstroms, and Webbs. They are still operating
their family farms and ranches. They take great pride in the family legacy that has been
passed to them. A legacy that will continue for generations to come. Laketown
and its residents have continued to prosper and maintain the same faily
values that their ancestors had 129 years ago.
