Draper, Utah

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History and Tidbits

Draper, Utah is in located in the southeast corner of the Salt Lake Valley and includes parts of both Salt Lake and Utah Counties. Draper is a city rich in pioneer heritage and colorful character. In the fall of 1849, Ebenezer Brown, the son of Scottish immigrants, brought his cattle to graze the tall grass fed by mountain streams in the unsettled area known as South Willow Creek. The following spring, Ebenezer brought his wife Phoebe and their large family. Together they raised and fattened cattle to sell to immigrants heading to the gold fields of California. That same year the Browns invited Phoebe's brother, William Draper III, his wife Elizabeth, a midwife/doctor, and their seven children to join in farming the area. The area grew rapidly and by the end of 1852, twenty families called South Willow Creek home. In 1854, the first post office was established with Phoebe Brown tending the office. The town was named Draperville in honor of William Draper III, who was also the first Presiding Elder of the small Mormon congregation in town. The town name was later shortened to Draper.

Family History Resources

Histories, Biographies, and Genealogies Draper History Community Web Sites Draper City Web Site Historical and Genealogical Societies Draper Historical Society Cemeteries Internment.net listing of gravesites in the Draper City Cemetery. Libraries The Draper Branch of the Salt Lake County Library is located at 1136 East Pioneer Rd (124th South), Draper, 84020.  This library has free access available to Ancestry.com while in the library and free access to Heritage Quest from within the library or from home by logging in with your library card. Draper Family History Center 13085 S 300 E Draper, Utah Phone: 801-576-2839 Hours: T-Th 9am-9pm; F 9am-3pm Draper Temple Location: 14065 South Canyon Vista Lane, Draper, Utah, United States. Site: 12 acres (including adjoining meetinghouse). Total Floor Area: 57,000 square feet. Announcement: 2 October 2004 Groundbreaking and Site Dedication: 5 August 2006 by Gordon B. Hinckley Temple Construction Status As of May 2008, landscaping of the temple grounds progresses rapidly, and granite facing of the exterior has now reached the base of the spire.

Family History Web Sites

Draper microfilms available at the Family History Library