Standrod
Standrod
is a little like the two Kansas Cities that are separated by the
Missouri River. Standrod, Utah is located against the Clear Creek
Mountains, part of the Sawtooth Range, while Standrod, Idaho is
directly across the street from it in Idaho. It is located 12
miles west of Strevell, Idaho, partially in Box Elder County, Utah and
the rest in Cassia County, Idaho. It is surrounded by mountains
on three sides and the beautiful Raft River Valley is to the north--out
of the wind and very pleasant.
Standrod
was first known as One Mile in the early 1870's. Gosiute Indians
(sometimes referred to a "Digger Indians" because they dug for roots,
burrowing animals and insects) used the surrounding mountains for
hunting grounds and a "look-out" point. They were poor, peaceful
Indians who lived in caves, rock shelters and wicki-ups.
The
first white men in the area were cowboys employed by various cattle
barons. The railroad planned to go through an area close to
Standrod at one time so settlers moved in, building a school, store and
blacksmith shop directly on the Utah-Idaho border. However, the
railroad never arrived. The first white settlers in the area
found the winters hard and supplies difficult to come by. The
morale of the people rose and fell as the ocean tide, but they didn't
turn back. They were strong people with much faith who still
enjoyed dancing and singing and each other's company. People
began arriving to settle Standrod at a rapid rate in 1900.
Homesteading filled the flat with cabins between Standrod and Raft
River. Droughts and poor soil prevented them from making a living
and soon drove them away.
Prior
to 1900, people got their mail seven miles north of Standrod down by
the narrows where the pony express station existed. The post
office was called Erncliff. In 1903 a brick schoolhouse was
erected on the state line in the middle of town and served not only as
a school, but a place for all community affairs including meetings, a
church, and a place for dances. There was also a prosperous
sawmill up One Mile. Two old saw mills still stand east of
Standrod, and three large, brick homes built with bricks from Almo,
Idaho, prior to 1900 are still standing. The name of One Mile was
later changed to Standrod in honor of Judge Standrod of Malad who was
eager for Idaho Statehood.
Agriculture
is still the main source of income for the people. Hay is the
main crop, but some grain is also grown. Cattle and sheep graze
on the fertile mountain sides. The average yearly rainfall is
between 10 and 22 inches, and the growing season is 120 to 160 days
without frost. Malta, Idaho is 30 miles to the north where the
children from Standrod now attend school. Many residents attended
an L.D.S. Church in Yost (10 miles southwest of Standrod) until 1977
when it closed its doors. They then had to travel 25 miles on
dirt roads to Almo to attend church services.
Burley,
Idaho, 65 miles to the north, is the closest large town, while
Tremonton, Utah is the largest town to the south, approximately 70
miles. The good folks of Standrod enjoy a quiet, undisturbed
atmosphere. Access to the town is by graveled roads.