Ovid in Bear Lake County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Bear Lake County Transit
Bear River County
Part of a map (left) by 1st Lieut. George M. Wheeler, based on an 1877 expedition to the American West. Early roads built by settlers in the Bear Lake Valley are visible. The longest went north from Ovid to Soda Springs before returning south to the Cache Valley, and another passed through Emigration Canyon.
The 42nd parallel north (drawn east-west across Bear Lake) was eventually designated as the border with Utah, causing confusion for settlers who had expanded northward.
Wetland Valley
Native American tribes, and later mountain men, frequented the Bear Lake Valley, prior to settlement by Mormon pioneers in 1863. To the north, migrants moved along the Oregon/California Trail towards other destinations. Building reliable roads and bridges was a concern for the settlers, as evidenced in court proceedings, such as this record from March 4th, 1872:
"A note from D.P. Kimball was read urging the court to appro. a sufficient amount to secure the Ovid Outlet Bridge from being washed away by high water."
The picture at left (top center) shows the Bear River at high water, with vegetation and gravel bars visible in the current. It flows northward through the valley, then turns south into the Cache Valley, eventually draining into the Great Salt Lake.
The Ping Pong Railway
The "Ping Pong" railway (picture bottom center) ran between Paris and Montpelier where it connected to the Oregon Short Line Railroad that ran from Wyoming to the northwest. The name "Ping Pong: was bestowed for the sound of the train engine's bell.
Bridge Crossings
Remnants of wooden pilings indicate a bridge predating the concrete Ovid Creek East Bridge, which was built in 1934. In turn, the 1934 structure, pictured above in an early photo (bottom right), was replaced in 2014 with a new bridge meeting current highway standards.
Erected by Idaho Transportation Department.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 42° 17.3′ N, 111° 23.885′ W. Marker is in Ovid, Idaho, in Bear Lake County. Marker is at the intersection of Ovid Road (U.S. 89) and State Highway 36, in the median on Ovid Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Montpelier ID 83254, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Overland Emigration Routes (here, next to this marker); Ovid Townsite (here, next to this marker); Bear Lake Valley (approx. 3˝ miles away); Paris Tabernacle (approx. 4.3 miles away); Charles Coulson Rich (approx. 4.3 miles away); Paris (approx. 4.4 miles away); Our First Church (approx. 4.4 miles away); Thomas Sleight Cabin (approx. 4˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ovid.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 174 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.