Bicknell in Wayne County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Early LDS Church Influence and A.K. Thurber

Photographed by James Hulse, April 4, 2025

1. Early LDS Church Influence and A.K. Thurber Marker

Inscription. Most of the early settlers of this area were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church). Bicknell was first named Thurber after Albert King (A.K.) Thurber who, at age 23, stopped in Utah on his way from Rhode Island to find California gold and joined the Church. After being a church and community leader in Spanish Fork. Thurber was sent to Richfield by Brigham Young to use his influence and language ability to make peace with the Indians. He soon became the Sevier Stake President. He signed a peace treaty with three groups of Paiute Indians at Fish Lake in 1876. In 1879, while leading a group of stockmen to this valley for cattle grazing, he built the first cabin along the Fremont River which became the town of Thurber. A.K. died at age 62 from stomach cancer.

Fremont was the first Wayne County Ward organized in 1880 with Thurber the second, organized in June 1882. Even though Thurber changed its name to Bicknell, the local ward of the Church is still called the Thurber Ward. Because of common beliefs, early settlers worked closely together building canals, bridges, roads, schools and other infrastructure

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that would have been impossible in this remote location.

For early settlers, the Church was prominent in community life and the chief instrument of organization, recreation and unification. Bishops and Stake Presidents performed duties now filled by City Councils, Mayors, Justices of the Peace, Marshals, and County Commissioners. Originally, Wayne County comprised a Branch of the Sevier Stake. In 1878, the first ward, covering both Wayne County and Grass Valley (Koosharem), was created.

Captions
(Photo #1) A.K. Thurber home in Richfield
(Photo #2) Old pioneer cabin
(Photo #3) A.K. Thurber portrait from 1887
(Photo #4) A.K. Thurber building a cabin
(Photo #5) A.K. Thurber traveling by wagon to Fish Lake

Erected 2020 by Bicknell Town.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1882.

Location. 38° 20.443′ N, 111° 33.079′ W. Marker is in Bicknell, Utah, in Wayne County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street (Utah Route 24) and S 400 W, on the left when traveling west on West Main Street.

Early LDS Church Influence and A.K. Thurber Marker (right side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 4, 2025

2. Early LDS Church Influence and A.K. Thurber Marker (right side)

The marker is located at the Bicknell Veterans & Heritage Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 385 W Main St, Bicknell UT 84715, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Canyon Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

on the Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Early Roads and Wagons (here, next to this marker); Bicknell Town History (here, next to this marker); Bicknell Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Raising Livestock (a few steps from this marker); Major Bicknell Livelihoods (a few steps from this marker); Logging and Lumber Industry (a few steps from this marker); Culinary and Irrigation Water (a few steps from this marker); Women and Education (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bicknell.

The view of the marker from the entrance to the memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 4, 2025

3. The view of the marker from the entrance to the memorial

The marker is the far right marker in the group of the four markers.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 4, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.