Doris Karren Burton writes about the history of Uintah County, Utah in the Utah Centennial County History Series.
"Uintah County was one of the last frontiers to be settled in Utah. In 1861 Brigham Young sent surveyors and missionaries to explore the Uinta Valley for settlement. They returned with a negative report, stating the area "was one vast 'contiguity of waste' and measurably valueless, excepting for nomadic purposes, hunting grounds for Indians and to hold the world together." Indian Agent Henry Martin—wanting to forestall any future Mormon plans to settle the area—immediately asked that part of the Uinta Valley be set aside for a Ute Indian reservation."
Published by the Utah State Historical Society and Uintah County Commision
