Mini-History
Written by
Mayor Ludy Cooper
 
 
BIRTH

 
 

WATER

 
 

NEWSPAPER
BRIDGE   LIGHTS   MORMONS
  HIGH HOPES   FIRES   PRESBYTERIANS
  RECREATION   TRANSPORTATION   AIRPORT
  BANKING   EDUCATION   LOCAL ECONOMY
  THE CURSE        
  PRESS HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LOAD A COPY OF THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT FOR PRINTING.

In the Beginning, a Bridge

A nd this bridge stood like a giant tunnel across the mighty Duchesne river. The river ran freely and was not checked by dams or reservoirs. This bridge was constructed by the Government troops



sent out to keep peace on the reservation. For many years the community was known simply as " The Bridge " and all mail going to Myton was addressed to " The Bridge ". In 1903 the official postoffice was established with Major H.P. Myton as postmaster. The mail was then directed to Myton’s postoffice and the name was eventually given to the town.

 

High Water

T he first people to come to Myton built their homes and businesses right on the banks of the river near the bridge. Several times the community was flooded in the spring time when it was high water time.

Being threatened with this one particulars spring some one got the bright idea to set a charge of dynamite to change the course of the river so it would not flood the town. So when whoever set the charge got carried away andwhen the smoke cleared the course of the river had been changed SO much that the bridge was standing high and dry!!

S o until the next bridge was built you had to cross the river like this: A person crossing the river with a horse and wagon.   O r
like
this:
 Men crossing the Duchesne River in on a raft.

The second bridge

T he loss of the old wooden bridge left everyone, including the Indian Department, virtually marooned from their activities unless they were brave enough to ford the river.

Steel bridge crossing the Duchesne River.
It was the influence of the Indian Department that secured funding in the amount of $25,000.00, within ten days, to build a new bridge. This time the bridge was to be a fine looking steel structure.

Bridge Day

Abig dedication program was planned for September 10, 1910.

Picture of Bridge Day in Myton.
Guests of honor on the program were Governor W.H. Spry, Senator Smoot, and Wm. H. Smart of the L.D.S. Church, and many local dignitaries. A parade was led by the Grand Marshall of the day, headed by an impromptu band escorting the honored guests, followed by many floats, Indian horsemen and cow ponies galore, taking their part from the Bridge to the Speaker's stand. The days festivities ended with a dance on a hardwood floor erected under the cotton wood trees near the Bridge.