The Pacific tourist:

142 ~ pm rarr paris aProvo,-48 miles from Salt Lake City, and the third town in size in Utah Territory, having a population of about 5,000 souls. After leaving the last station, off to the left, Provo Canon is visible, with Provo or Timpanogos River flowing through it. This river rises in the western spur of the Uintah Mountains, flows along the southe rn part of Kainmas Prairie and then turns to the south-west, entering what is called Provo Valley, which lies east of the range of mountains on our left, and finally cutting through this range into the valley of Lake Utah. Observe, as you approach the town, how the strata of rocks in the mountains on each side of the canon dip toward each other. An immense body of water flows down this river, annually-more than passes through the river Jordan, the surplus being taken up by evaporation or drank by the thirsty soil. We cross the river as we approach the town, and for the first time since leaving Salt Lake, see s mall bodies of timber, m o st ly c ot tonwood, and a thick undergrowth of brush, etc. Sporting.-Between the town and lake are low marshes and meadows which render this place a paradise for ducks, which fact the sportsman will do well to note. The streams which flow into the lake abound in fish, and the lake itself is full of trout, chub, suckers, etc. It is no unfrequent matter to catch'trout here weighing from seven to ten pounds, though from two to five pounds is their usual weight. The trout ascend the streams in the proper season to deposit their spawn; the suckers follow to devour it, and sometimes they almost choke the river, so vast are they in numbers, and are caught in large quantities. The streams sometimes fall so rapidly that they are left in shallow places and die there as the water recedes. Measures should be taken to prevent this wholesale raid on the spawn of the trout,' or it will soon be destroyed-at least materially lessened. If the suckers are masters of the situation, so far as the spawn is concerned, the reverse holds true with the trout in the lake, for there they attack the suckers without mercy, and the old adage that "the big fish eat the little ones," proves literally true. It is evident that the young suckers are highly relished by the larger trout in this lake. The town of Provo is regularly laid out, has numerous school-houses, stores, grist-mill, tanneries, woolen factory, etc. Brigham Young has a private residence here, which he frequently visits, and which is occupied by one of his so-called wives. It has finely cultivated gardens, yards, orchards and small farms adjacent. Springville, —53 miles from Salt Lake City. The little town lies back under the mountains, and will probably be the initial point of a narrow gauge railroad to the extensive coal fields in Strawberry Valley, some 60 miles east. This a deep cut, we suddenly emerge into the valley of Lake Utah, and at onc e b ecom e enchanted with the lovely view now spread out before us. T he valley, c iti es and towns we have just left, are entirely shut out from our vision, and, in their stead, new w ond ers invite our attentioip. There is L ak e Utah, with little village s and settlements between i ts s h ores and the base of the mountains, and those m ountains thousan d s of feet in height, piercing the very clouds, around it. With an elevation about 500 feet higher than thtat of the G r eat Salt Lake, it lies nestled dow n among the lofty peaks, as though i t would hide it s b e auty and shun the gaze of the outside world. But iron arms have forced their way through the rupgged defiles, and now hold it in long and lasting embrace. Henc ef ort h it will receive the homage of thousands, and become a place of wo r ship to the multitudes who shall see in lf it and its surroundings, the Mecca of their pilgrimages-the gratificati on of their desires and the satisfaction of every hope. This is strong language, and the t ourist himself shall be the judge of its truthfulness. T his l ake is virtually th e h ead of the riv er Jordan. It winds its way, like a ribbon of silver, through the valley, passes through the gorge we hav e en ter ed and becomes lost to view. Down into the valley of the lake we go and arrive at LeT ti-the n ext station, 31 mi les from the City of the Saints. It is located on Dry Canon Creek, though the creek fu rni s hes water sufficient to irrigate the, thrifty farms bordering the little village. A large portion of the bottoml ands around th e lak e a re cultivated and irrigated with the wat er that flows down the mountain streams. Americaun Forf,- 34 mil es from Salt Lake City, is now reached. It is named from the creek and canon back of the town, which has cleft the mountains in twain, and left on their ragged edges the marks of the heroic and victorious struggle. From this town another narrow gauge railroad has been built up the canon to Deer Creek, some twelve miles, to accommodate the necessities of the mines which have been opened there. It will be extended whenever the increased productions of these mines shall demand it. Of the grand scenery of this noted canon we shall speak in another place. The town is about six miles from the mouth of the canon, and has every appearance of the industry which usually characterizes Mormon towns. Pleasant Grove,-37 miles from the city, is the next station. It is a thriving farming settlement, and similar to all the little villages in the Territory. It was formerly called Battle Creek because of a fight which early settlers had with the Ute Indians. Leaving Pleasant Grove we soon arrive at _____ - 142

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Title
The Pacific tourist:
Author
Williams, Henry T.
Canvas
Page 142
Publication
New York,: H. T. Williams,
1876.
Subject terms
West (U.S.) -- Description and travel
Central Pacific Railroad Company.
Union Pacific Railroad Company.

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"The Pacific tourist:." In the digital collection Making of America Books. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/afk1140.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 13, 2025.
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