History of Draper

Ebenezer was known as a prosperous, kind, and generous man who often gave of his energy and substance for the benefit of the needy. Phebe, the town's first lady, greeted each new family and helped them adjust to their new home.

In 1850 the Browns invited Phoebe's brother, William Draper Jr., his wife Elizabeth, a midwife/doctor, and their seven children to join in farming the area. Aunt Betsy, as Elizabeth was known, is remembered not only for her good deeds but also for the locomotive-like visage she presented as she walked through town, the pioneer poke bonnet (the cowcatcher) on her head, and clay pipe (the smokestack) in her mouth.

The area grew rapidly, and by the end of 1852, 20 families called South Willow Creek home. In 1854, the first post office was established, with Phebe Brown tending the office. The town was named Draperville in honor of William Draper Jr., who was also the first presiding bishop of the small Mormon congregation in town.

Trouble with the indigenous people in the area broke out in 1854, and Ebenezer donated land at approximately 12650 South 900 East as a fort site. There the settlers lived, mostly at night, during the winters of 1855 and 1856. Thick walls were begun but never completed as the feared hostilities did not become a reality. The beautiful Draper Historical Park now graces the site of the old fort and features statues of early pioneers.

Porter Rockwell, pioneer personality and bodyguard to Mormon prophet Brigham Young was a frequent visitor to Draperville. A friend of Draper pioneer and Indian scout Joshua Terry, Rockwell occasionally found it necessary to seek protection from his enemies in the fields behind the home of blacksmith Lauritz Smith.

A child of Lauritz recounted the experience of taking a pot of stew to the pasture, leaving it, and then returning for the empty pot regularly, not knowing why or who it was for. Brigham Young had dined at the home of Lauritz and, after complimenting "Sister" Smith on her fine cooking, commissioned her to provide food for Rockwell whenever he was in the area.