Golden Spike Region-Brigham City Area
The Golden Spike region of the Bear River Heritage Area consists of Box Elder County, Utah, located in the eastern portion of the Great Basin. It includes cities like Brigham City, Tremonton, Bear River City, Corinne, and others.
It is named the Golden Spike Region because of the famous events of May 10, 1869, when the first transcontinental railroad was completed with the ceremonial driving of the golden spike. That event took place at Promontory, Utah, about 32 miles west of the county seat of Brigham City, near the northern end of the Great Salt Lake. The county itself is named for the numerous Box Elder trees that grow here in this part of the Great Basin.
The first permanent white settlements were established in 1851 when Mormons moved north from the Salt Lake City area and settled in what are now Willard and Brigham City. Shoshone Indians already lived in the area, and numerous violent incidents occurred until a treaty was negotiated in 1863.
The economy is now centered on agriculture, but there is also a rocket testing facility in the area.
Explore the Golden Spike Region
Attractions
Opened in 1929 by grandfather Bert Olsen, this café is run by third-generation family members. They still offer the same rib-sticking hearty meals. Come visit them on Brigham City's main street!
View moreIn business for 81 years, Idle Isle Candy offers hand-dipped chocolates made daily in the store. Stop by and taste the house specialty and best seller, the almond cream toffee ball.
View moreUtah and Southeastern Idaho were settled first by the Shoshone. Today’s Shoshone are especially well-known for their beadwork. Stop by the offices of the Northwestern Band and get information on events and artisans from Patty Timbimboo-Madsen, Cultural and Natural Resource Director.
View moreLocally owned and operated, the Idle Isle Café opened its doors in 1921, making it the third oldest restaurant still in operation in Utah.
View moreLocated on Main Street in Tremonton, Utah, this museum features exhibits on the history of Bear River Valley as well as current artists from the area. Highlights include an exhibit on the Candy Bomber and the Bolgstrom Brothers as well as the Main Street Playhouse that is located above the…
View moreIn the 1860s, Brigham Young instituted what came to be known as the “cooperative movement” in Utah. With the new transcontinental railroad came goods made elsewhere, and the church leaders feared that materialism and covetousness would grow among the Mormons. A system of businesses owned cooperatively was created, with existing…
View moreIn operation since 1937, Peach City has been serving up tasty burgers and delicious shakes for over 65 years. Locally owned by the Morgan brothers, Harvey and Blynn, this local hangout serves over 20 flavors of homemade ice cream. The house specialties are the Big Joe burger and peach shakes…
View moreThe first designated historic district in Utah, the Willard district reflects the Welsh heritage of many of the earliest settlers. The main builder of the homes was Shadrach Jones, a Welsh stonemason, and the homes are mainly Greek Revival and Gothic in style, forming the largest grouping of pioneer stone…
View moreAmazing numbers of birds can be viewed in Spring, Summer and Fall, at this world-famous national wildlife refuge. Nearly 74,000 acres of marsh, mudflat, seasonal wetlands and uplands attract shorebirds, waterfowl, herons, grebes, gulls, eagles, hawks and many other birds. “Throughout the refuge’s long rich past, it has not only…
View moreThe town of Corinne, Utah, was established in 1869 and for about a decade, it was known as “The Gentile Capital of Utah.” In Utah, the common use of the term “gentile” usually refers to non-Mormons rather than non-Jews, though it is used both ways. The town was established to…
View moreThis nearly century old building was always used as a cooperative mercantile serving the folks of this remote northern Utah town of Grouse Creek. The small building was originally made of logs, then later tongue-and-groove siding was added. The owner runs the Grouse Creek Store in between school bus runs;…
View moreFounded in 1970, the Brigham City Museum of Art & History is a regional art and history center. The important pioneer history of Brigham City is told with hands-on exhibits and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers' artifacts. Eliza's Attic is an introduction to the settlement's lifestyle while the interactive tool area…
View moreThe Oregon Short Line Company was established in 1878 to provide the Union Pacific Railroad access to the Pacific Northwest. The company announced in 1906 that it would construct a modern new depot in Brigham City. The depot was completed and opened to the public on May 19, 1907.
View moreBuilt on “Sagebrush Hill,” on a site chosen in 1865 by Brigham Young himself, this tabernacle took nearly fifteen years to build, then it was gutted by fire in 1896. The formerly somewhat plain building was rebuilt with a Gothic Revival tower and sixteen pinnacles. Free guided tours are available…
View moreFolk art at its best! Artistry in iron etches the skyline with prancing horses, wagons, and wheels. Have a picnic lunch or barbecue while your kids enjoy the playground, and view a display of horse-drawn wagons and equipment. Look for pieces like the Utah History timeline and the Bicentennial arch–all…
View moreDrive north from Brigham City along Highway 38 and you will see many late-nineteenth-century stone houses built from locally-quarried stone and generally reflecting vernacular building styles of the period. These charming private residences were built by pioneers and are now a part of the picturesque scenery on the drive between…
View moreThis working family farm was homesteaded in 1896 under the Homestead Act. The farmstead is on the National Register of Historic Places due to its unusual dairy barn that retains hay storage and dairy operations under one roof. Most dairy operations in the state either had separate buildings for each…
View moreDown through the years, the Pie Dump has been the hot spot for teens attending the local high school. The Pie Dump began during the Depression era, and was owned by Leland Hansen. He and his wife sold specialty candies and pies and called it the Pie Dump from the…
View moreSince 1949, the Maddox family has been serving delicious home cooked meals. Famous for their home-grown beef, Maddox also serves bison (less fat than regular beef-give it a try!), chicken, and fresh seafood. Now in their third generation, everything on the menu is made from scratch, including breads, rolls, ice…
View moreSince 1944, Mim's Bar and Grill has been serving delicious cheese burgers and home cut fries. Mim's buys their beef locally and the onions for the burgers come from Box Elder County farms. Winter or summer, stop by on your next bike tour, and enjoy refreshing cold beer at the…
View moreInterested in horse-drawn vehicles? Western filmmakers are! You won’t want to miss the largest private collection in the West. By appointment only, but their website hosts a virtual tour as well.
View moreHoused in Perry’s century-old former Mormon church building, the Heritage Community Theatre offers musicals, children’s theatre, and drama.
View moreLocated in Box Elder County, this park displays dozens of missiles and rockets outside a testing facility. ATK Launch Systems, (formerly Thiokol), founded in 1929 as Thiokol Chemical Corporation, is the world’s largest producer of high-technology solid rocket motors for space, defense, and commercial uses. They produce the giant solid…
View moreCome walk the recently built Holmgren Nature Preserve Trail complete with interpretive and educational signs. This is the first of a planned trail system within the Malad River Corridor. The preserve is 14.23 acres of ground in and around the wetlands of the Malad River and is 10′ wide and is…
View moreGeothermal activity is evident throughout this region, and hot springs can be found in numerous locations along the western slopes of the Wasatch Mountains. Crystal Hot Springs is a resort built around one of these natural hot springs 13 miles north of Brigham City in the town of Honeyville. It is…
View moreIn an 1867 stage stop barn, the Old Barn Community Theatre produces four plays per year, each running four weekends. In the summer they host a barn burner with a Dutch oven dinner on opening night and at Christmas they host a Gala at opening.
View moreLucin, a small settlement that served a stretch of the Southern Pacific Railroad that is now abandoned is a west desert oasis sometimes referred to as a "warbler trap." At first glance Lucin looks like a small pond with some surrounding trees, but it is much more, especially during spring…
View moreNesting Species include Black-headed Grosbeak, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, and Song Sparrow: Bonaparte's Gull, Bald Eagle, Common Tern, Hooded Merganser, and Common Loon in the fall and early winter. Visit this site any season. Get more information about Willard Bay on their website listed below. Boat, swim, water…
View moreOn May 10, 1869, the final spike was driven, completing the transcontinental railroad and revolutionizing travel across North America. Visit Golden Spike National Historic Site, and witness historic reenactments and locomotive demonstrations, and participate in ranger programs and films. You can take a self-guided auto tour over historic railroad grades. Within…
View moreThis site offers Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle (winter), Cinnamon Teal and Sandhill Crane. Directions on how to get there are available on the website. Take the Corrine exit off I-15. When you get into the town of Corrine follow the signs that point you in the direction of the Golden…
View moreBox Elder County Tourism 1 South Main St Brigham City 435-734-3315
Brigham City Chamber of Commerce
6th North Main
Brigham City
435-723-3931