Utah Centennial Studies

 

Ghost Riders and Rest Stops Packet B

 

CAMP FLOYD

Dear Students,

Camp Floyd in Utah County was established in 1858 as part of the agreement which ended the Utah War. It was soon the largest army camp in the country. It was said that the population of the camp and the neighboring town of Dobietown exceeded 7,000 people.

Murder occurred daily at Dobietown and one newspaper reported, 'The revolver and the bowie knife had nightly work to do there!' Camp Floyd was named in honor of John B. Floyd, Secretary of War in the Buchanan administration.

The Overland Stage began service to Camp Floyd in 1859 and the Pony Express the following year. Other than Salt Lake City, Camp Floyd's stores were the best stocked in Utah. At the camp sugar cost 65 cents a pound, candles were 33 cents each and nails sold for $5 a pound.

From here the road continued west over Five Mile Pass and through sage covered foothills to East Rush Valley Station.