History
Willard was settled in 1851 and was originally named North Willow Creek. In 1859 it was renamed Willard in honor of Willard Richards, an LDS Apostle and counselor to Brigham Young. Shadrack Jones built many of the rock homes that make Willard unique.
First known as North Willow Creek because of the abundance and variety of willows bordering the steam where the first settlers built their homes, Willard received its new name in 1857 in honor of Mormon apostle, Willard Richards.
Upon moving to Willard, Shadrach Jones, a stone mason from Wales, built homes using skills learned in the old country. He built the homes using the gray, granite colored stones found on the foothills to the east. Many of these homes still stand today. The earliest homes date back to 1856. Because of its rural nature, Willard still gives a feeling of an early Utah village. People still have large gardens and animals and take pride in the old pioneer homes, most of which are still occupied.
In 1923, and in the 1930s, some of the most serious flooding Utah has ever experienced occurred in Willard due to overgrazing on the mountains above the town. During the 1930s, stone dikes and spillways were created and the upper part of the mountain was terraced which has since prevented significant flooding.
Willard is now a community of about 1,746 people with a rural flavor and a mixture of old and new houses scattered among the orchards, fields, and in the old village area. The people of Willard strive to maintain the dignity of their community, particularly as it relates to its historic and cultural evolution by maintaining a rather spacious, rural atmosphere within the town. The preservation and protection of the historic rock buildings and historic character of the old town are the city's prime concern. The community prefers to remain a residential bedroom-type area with its local farmer-operated fruit and vegetable stands. The community has adapted the commercial and industrial growth to support the traditional life style.
Upon moving to Willard, Shadrach Jones, a stone mason from Wales, built homes using skills learned in the old country. He built the homes using the gray, granite colored stones found on the foothills to the east. Many of these homes still stand today. The earliest homes date back to 1856. Because of its rural nature, Willard still gives a feeling of an early Utah village. People still have large gardens and animals and take pride in the old pioneer homes, most of which are still occupied.
In 1923, and in the 1930s, some of the most serious flooding Utah has ever experienced occurred in Willard due to overgrazing on the mountains above the town. During the 1930s, stone dikes and spillways were created and the upper part of the mountain was terraced which has since prevented significant flooding.
Willard is now a community of about 1,746 people with a rural flavor and a mixture of old and new houses scattered among the orchards, fields, and in the old village area. The people of Willard strive to maintain the dignity of their community, particularly as it relates to its historic and cultural evolution by maintaining a rather spacious, rural atmosphere within the town. The preservation and protection of the historic rock buildings and historic character of the old town are the city's prime concern. The community prefers to remain a residential bedroom-type area with its local farmer-operated fruit and vegetable stands. The community has adapted the commercial and industrial growth to support the traditional life style.