Francis, Utah

Francis, Utah, is a small town in southwestern Summit County.  Located at the southern end of an area of the Wasatch Back known as Kamas Valley, Francis's nearest neighbors are the towns of Kamas to the north and Woodland to the south.  This town was settled in 1869 by Mormon homesteaders who were assigned there by the LDS Church headquarters in Salt Lake City.  The settlement was named after Francis M. Lyman, a prominent LDS leader at the time.  Francis grew steadily over the years, and the town was eventually incorporated in December, 1939.

Today, a little more than 1,300 residents call Francis home.  Despite its low population, Francis is one of the fastest-growing communities in Summit County.  In fact, since 2000, this small town has seen a population growth of nearly 40%, according to BestPlaces.net.  This growth can be attributed to the development of two subdivisions, Wild Willow and Uintah Shadows. The towns growth continues as new subdivisions and commercial developments are in the works.  Nonetheless, life in Francis is quiet and peaceful--except during Labor Day weekend.  During this time, Francis hosts Francis Frontier Days, a three-day heritage celebration that features horse pulls, a rodeo, a parade, craft shows, and much more.  Frontier Days brings visitors from all over the state to the small town of Francis.