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 congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in town. The town name was later shortened to Draper.

Family History Resources

Histories, Biographies, and Genealogies

Draper History

Draper City Web Site

Historical and Genealogical Societies

Draper Historical Society

Cemeteries

Interment.net listing of gravesites in the Draper City Cemetery.
BillionGraves searchable database and Google map showing this cemetery.

Libraries

The Draper Branch of theSalt 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.

FamilySearch Center

Draper FamilySearch Center
13085 S 300 E
Draper, Utah
Phone: 801-576-2839
Hours: T-Th 9am-9pm; F 9am-3pm

Family History Websites

Draper microfilms available at the FamilySearch Library