Soda Springs Youth Service Mission

On Thursday, August 15th, Bill Horsley and Galen Wilson from the Caribou Historical Society worked together with Elder and Sister Porter and their counselors, Elder and Sister Stringham, Elder and Sister Whitesides and Elder and Sister Portela and the Service Missionaries currently serving in the Soda Springs Youth Service Mission on a service project of cleaning up the Pioneer Cedar Cemetery in Soda Springs.

The project started with Bill and Galen telling them a little about the history of the cemetery. It is unknown why the settlers in Soda Springs determined that it would be a good location for a cemetery, especially with all the formation rock in the area and the distance it was from the center of Soda Springs. Bill explained how the cemetery was relocated to the current site of the Fairview Cemetery. The Service Missionaries then went to work on cleaning each of the many gravesites. They use lawn trimmers, shrub trimmers, rakes and brute strength in cutting the grass, weeds and branches at each gravesite. They were amazed at number of gravesites that were spread out around the cemetery. Some of the gravesites have had new headstones put in place by the family marking the grave. 

Some of the fenced off gravesites do not have any markers. It would be interesting to know the history of that site. It was a wonderful experience working with these youth and leaders helping to clean the cemetery making it more appealing for those that would like to walk through it. One of the Service Missionaries made the comment that it was his Ward Young Men group that made the large Pioneer Cemetery sign as you enter the cemetery. Sister Stringham wanted to know where the Hopkins family gravesite is located as it is part of her family. That made it even more personal to clean up the gravesites. 

We are very thankful for these youths and the service that they provide for our area. The youth Elders and Sisters serving in the Soda Springs Youth Service Mission live in McCammon, Grace, Soda Springs, Star Valley, Montpelier and other surrounding communities. After they had completed the service project, they drove to Octagon Springs to have lunch and have a drink of the water. While they were eating, Galen told them more about the springs in the area and a little about the history of the geyser and Soda Springs. We look forward to working with them in the future on more service projects.