Preface
T.
here are many ways to approach the writing of local history. In the Mountain West, grassroots local history books have become common. More often than not, they are a compilation of family histories, biographical sketches, and pioneer reminiscences. They do a fine job of telling the personal stories of a locale, but they generally fail to relate those stories to any kind of broader perspective. In this volume, I have tried to put the personal stories into a bigger picture. The history of a place is the story of its people, but it is also the story of distant wars, global economic changes, and large social movements. It is one thing to know that grandpa bought his first tractor during World War II; it is another to understand that wartime labor shortages and high farm profits prompted his decision. By providing historical context, we intend to provide more meaning. As the research unfolded, we began to assemble significant events, movements, and people from the county's past into a more coherent story. A conscious effort was made to leave out redundant matter or material that might distract from the flow of the narrative. Characters appear as they make a significant contribution, and then IX
