Ibapah, Tooele County
Ibopah is a town rich in Native American and white immigrant history.
In 1859 a group of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints were sent to the west desert to proselyte the local natives and to teach farming practices. The local natives, Goshutes, were mostly hunter-gatherers at the time. The settlers established Ibapah, originally as Deep Creek. The Deep Creek Mountains are nearby. From 1860-1861 it was a way-station for the pony express. The current town is populated largely, but not exclusively, by natives of the Goshute people. The main activities are ranching and farming. There is a trading post, but no lodging and little food are available. Sometimes, but not always, there is fuel for purchase. Most roads in the area are unpaved but Ibapah Road, which comes off of US Highway 93 alt and runs to the town, is hard surfaced.
Founded: 1859
Location: on Ibapah Road, off US HIghway 93 alt, in the Utah west desert. It lies 59 mi/96 km south of Wendover, UT. and 180 mi/292 km west southwest of Salt Lake City, UT.
Name Origin: Goshute word Ai-bim-pa meaning “White Clay Water”
Altitude: 5282 ft/1610 m
Official Utah State Map Coordinates: E-1
Latitude/Longitude: 40.03666667 -113.98527778