Eagle Mountain is a fairly new city, it has only been around for a little over 20 years. It occupies what is called the Cedar Valley. The Cedar Valley at one time was its own County in Utah. “In one of several efforts to reduce the size of Utah county, Cedar Fort was designated as the county seat of Cedar County, which existed between 1856 and 1861, at which point it was reincorporated into Utah county. In 1858, when Johnston’s Army arrived in Utah, it initially encamped at Cedar Fort, later moving near Fairfield to establish Camp Floyd.” It should also be noted that there are no Cedars in Cedar Valley, they are all Juniper Trees.
The Utah Division of Archives and Records Service recently released a collection of maps. It released the Highway Maps Online.
“Before we had GPS and phones with map apps, people used folded paper maps. Across the United States, transportation departments distributed free highway maps both as a public service and a way to promote tourism, including here in Utah.
The Utah State Archives is pleased to announce that a collection of Official Highway Maps from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is now online, covering from 1910 to the most recently released map from 2017.
The project started as a collaboration with UDOT when they shared digital images they had made of some maps. In the end, we opted to use our specialized large format digital camera to digitize all of the maps we have in our collection. The results are detailed, clear, and sharp enough to study up close.”
I thought it would be a fun project to look at each of the maps, zoom in on the Cedar Valley and Eagle Mountain area (of today) and see what has changed over the years. The Utah State Archives Series 887 starts in 1910, and contains 57 individual maps. I am including a portion of each of those maps here, as well as a link to the original map so you can click the Eagle Mountain portion and take a look at the entire state at that time. Let me know if you enjoy what you find, and anything interesting you may notice.
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.