Woodruff
In June 1870 a group of men left Session Settlement (later called Bountiful)
seeking a locality for a new settlement. They traveled north, and entered the
Bear Lake Valley. They continued over the divide to a new settlement formed
from a company from Paris, Idaho, later named Randolph. The travelers were
told of a stream of water about 10 miles up that would make a good settlement.
After arriving they were more than pleased. They saw the broad valley
and green grasses and willows. They made ponds in the streams causing them
to overflow, which helped keep the valley green, the mountain trout in the
streams, the elk and deer herds in abundance. The indians were friendly and
Chief Washakie was the leader at that time. In May 1871, the town site was
surveyed by Joseph C. Rich. His survey permitted the location of homes to
follow a systematic pattern with George Eastman building the first home. A
name was sought for the new settlement and it was decided to give it the name
of Woodruff in honor of Wilford Woodruff who made frequent trips to Randolph
to visit relatives.
During 1895-96 Woodruff area population was around 486 and its residents
were anxious for the long awaited day Utah would become a state. Jan. 4, 1896
at 10:00 A.M. the news was wired to Woodruff, and the Town bell (which now
hangs at the Town Hall) was rung for five minutes and again at noon. In Dec.
1930 Woodruff received its first power lines and also its first power outage as
everyone wanted to use electricity. It wasn't until Dec. 4, 1933 that Woodruff
was granted petition by the Commissioners to become incorporated. Its first
officers were: B. D. Brown Pres., James Stuart, Rowena Tingey, Cloyd Eastman,
and Sarah Cornia as Trustees. In January 1996, 100 years after statehood
Woodruff area population is around 350.
We dedicate this town to those pioneers that founded and settled this community.
It is through their united efforts and faith that we have received our heritage.
