Orem.
For years, the bustling Utah County community was known simply as the Provo Bench, not even warranting a name of its own.
There was little incentive for Mormon pioneers to settle in the Orem area, according to the authors of the Images of America book "Orem." But there were a few stout adventurers who took a chance on the Provo Bench in 1861.
Those pioneers uprooted sagebrush, dug canals and planted crops, dreaming of fruit orchards and vegetable fields. With hard work, the farms were successful, making the area viable by the time the railroad arrived.
In "Orem," authors Jay H. Buckley, an associate professor of history at Brigham Young University and the former chairman of the Orem Historic Preservation Commission, freelance writer Chase Arnold and the Orem Public Library have put together more than 200 photographs that tell the story of Orem.
Compiled from the collections at Brigham Young University, Denver Public Library, the LDS Church History Library, Orem Heritage Museum (SCERA Center for the Arts), Orem Public Library, Utah Historical Society and private citizens, the book looks at the city from the late 1800s to the early 21st century.
Divided into nine chapters, "Orem" includes information on Provo Bench pioneers, fruit farming, electricity, railroad growth, the steel industry, education, landscape and families.
"Orem" is told through pictures and their captions. The only other text provided is an introduction, which tells the basic history of the area. While this may seem like a simple historical text, the pictures really do tell a story. The captions are also well-detailed and include numerous enjoyable tidbits.
Many Orem residents would be surprised at their city's various incarnations and accomplishments.
"Orem" is a surprisingly fun and interesting look at the development of the city and Utah County as a whole. Families and historians alike will enjoy this pictorial journey through time.
e-mail: jharrison@desnews.com