The first school was opened in October of 1847 by Mary Jane Dilworth, a 17 years old woman who used a tent as her schoolroom. Trials and tribulations were the norm for the hardy pioneers with the most prominent events being the invasion of the crop-eating crickets and the settlers eventual salvation in the form of the seagulls from the Great Salt Lake. Salt Lake Valley is between the Wasatch Mountains on the east and the Oquirrhs on the west. The active Wasatch Fault runs through the eastern part of the county. Four separate seasons are the norm.
Spring brings comfortable conditions in the valley with skiing still available in the mountains.
Summer is warm with low humidity. The average high is 93 degrees F. Cool temperatures still continue in the mountain areas. Fall is a beautiful time of year with vibrant colors and stimulating temperatures. Winter temperatures are usually above freezing in the valley with some snow. Mountain areas generally have goodly amounts of dry powdery snow.