Wilford, Idaho Explained

Wilford is an unincorporated community in Fremont County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

History

The first settlement at Wilford was made in 1883.[1] Wilford was officially founded my Thomas Smith. A post office called Wilford was established in 1887, and remained in operation until 1905.[2] The community was named after Leonard Wilford Hardy, a Mormon leader.

In June 1976, most of the buildings in Wilford were swept away by a flood that resulted from the catastrophic failure of the recently built Teton Dam. Soon after the dam's failure it was reported that "154 [Wilford] houses were intact or in pieces, riding the fifteen-mile-an-hour crest" of the flood.[3]

Five residents of Wilford died in the flood.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Lund, Anthon Henrik . The Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine . Geneal. Society of Utah . 1922 . 42.
  2. Web site: Fremont County . Jim Forte Postal History . 2 November 2015.
  3. Book: Reisner, Marc . Marc Reisner . 1986 . . New York, New York . Penguin Books . 0140178244.