History of Bear Lake

  • Bear Lake was discovered by the early Mountain Men, trappers and explorers in about 1811- 1812.
  • Prior to 1819, Bear Lake was located within the land claimed by Spain.
  • In 1819, the land North of the 42nd Parallel was ceded to the United States. This bisected Bear Lake. The Northern half became part of the Oregon Territory while the Southern half remained Spanish land. In 1821, the Southern half became a Mexican possession when Mexico won its Independence from Spain.
  • During the summers of 1827 and again in 1828, the Mountain Men held their annual rendezvous in the Bear Lake valley near Round Valley to exchange their winter's furs for food, guns, ammunition and supplies.
  • 1833-34 Bear Lake was explored by US Army Capt. E. de Bonneville who stated "The lake abounds with trout and other small fish".
  • 1842-43 Numerous explorers and adventurers travel through the Bear Lake Valley including John C. Fremont, Kit Carson, Bill Sublett, Jedediah Smith, and Jim Bridger.
  • 1841 The first wagon train marks the beginning of the migration of settlers to this area of the West.
    • 1843 Start of the Oregon Trail
    • 1847 The Mormon Trail (which does not go through Bear Lake Valley)
    • 1848 The California Trail

     

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