Discover the history of Torrey, UT, a town founded by settlers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 1880s. Originally known as Youngtown, it was later named after Jay L. Torrey, a member of the Wyoming legislature who gained national attention for his role in creating three volunteer cavalry regiments during the Spanish-American War. Don't miss the chance to
learn about Torrey's fascinating past, including Torrey's commission as colonel of the "Rocky Mountain Riders" regiment.
The town of Torrey was founded in the 1880s by settlers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as Mormons. The group first arrived in Utah in 1847 and began to settle down across the state. In 1880, a group led by Pardon B. Davis settled in what is now Capitol Reef National Park, near the Fremont River. An agreement was made between the local Paiute tribes and Davis' group that allowed them to purchase land in the area, which would become known as Youngtown.