8-Mile

Eight Mile is located in the northwest corner of Bear Lake County. It got this name because it is eight miles from Soda Springs, the nearest town. It is a long way from the other settlements in the county, and many people don't know much about it. Nearby Bailey Creek is growing, but Eight Mile still remains small.

In 1875 the people from Eight Mile rode their horses along the west side of the river to Paris to record the deeds on their property. They were among the first in the county to register. The geological survey was completed in 1872, showing that six families lived there. Among the earliest settlers were Jim and George Miller, John and Billy Glausner, Harvey Higley, Hyrum and Charles Foster, James and Orem Munro, Lee Simmons, and Pete Thomsen.

There were never any stores, but there was a post office in 1887. It was only open for two years before a mail route was started. Hyrum Durney was the first postmaster. The first school was started in 1888 and was in operation for 18 years before it burned down. It was located in the northern part of the valley. A new school was built at the southern end of the valley where more of the people lived. In 1952, county consolidation closed the school. Bear Lake County soon learned it was cheaper to pay tuition for these students to attend school in Soda Springs than bus them to Montpelier. The population has always been small, but at times 25 students have been enrolled in school at one time.

The LDS Church was organized here in 1876. Delbert Root was the first presiding elder. Root worked under the direction of Bishop Henry J. Horne of Paris for two years, until Root moved away. Hyrum Foster became the next presiding elder. While he presided, the people voted to merge with Soda Springs. They attend church in Soda Springs still today.

In the early days, the industry in Eight Mile was lumbering. There were several sawmills. Two burned down, and another one was moved to Franklin Basin. The steam locomotive that powered the mill now resides in the Franklin, Idaho museum. Mormon freighters hauled it across the plains from the upper Missouri River. This sawmill cut the lumber for building the older part of Soda Springs.

A United States Forest Service Ranger Station is located in Eight Mile, due to the early lumbering business. It now operates as a guard station for the campgrounds and picnic areas. The LDS church has a girl’s camp there also.

Over time, two different efforts have been made to trade the Eight Mile area of Bear Lake County to Caribou County. One plan called for trading land near Freedom, Wyo. to Bear Lake County. At another time, trading part of Crow Creek was suggested, but no one could agree on the terms. The last effort was made in 1922.

Resources:

1. J. Patrick Wilde "Treasured tidbits of Time" vol. 1 page 18