Taylor, Bingham / Bonneville, Idaho Territory / Idaho, United States

Eric.Scott

I tried submitting information about Taylor (aka Taylorville) which is east of Shelley, Idaho on familysearch.org/research/places, but failed to communicate all the changes. I thought I could include a more narrative discussion here.

There should be at least 3 records in the database:

1. Taylor, Bingham County, Idaho Territory, United States (1885 - 1890, Lat 43.3826, Long -112.0349). The area where Taylor now exists was in other counties before Taylor became an "inhabited place", but was in Bingham County, Idaho Territory when it is reported that the first settlers moved there. The earliest record of habitation that I can find is from the "History of Taylor Ward" https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets?id=39a7b2a1-92c9-4779-8940-1904cb0d339a&crate=0&index=0 where it is stated that "The first 'Mormon' settlers in that district of country included in the Taylor Ward were John Priest, Abiah Wadsworth, jun., and William Priest who entered lands in May, 1885, and that same fall built houses on their respective quarter sections. Two non-Mormon families settled there about the same time." That is my basis for beginning of this place name. A branch of the church was established there by John W Taylor on May 23, 1886 and tradition is that the ward was named after him, so that may have been the point at which this place got the name of "Taylor". Other accounts claim that there was a prominent farmer in the area by the name of Taylor and the area was named after him. I have found no confirming documents to that end. At any rate, by at least 1886, the area was known as Taylor. That area was in Bingham County, Idaho Territory, at that time. It was in Idaho Territory until Idaho was made a State on 3 July 1890.
2. Taylor, Bingham County, Idaho, United States (1890 - 1911, Lat 43.3826, Long -112.0349). According to https://idahgp.genealogyvillage.com/Bingham/po.html, there was a post office in Taylor from 1894 - 1905. Taylor remained in Bingham County until Bonneville County was formed from Bingham County on 7 February 1911. At that time, Taylor became part of Bonneville County.
3. Taylor, Bonneville County, Idaho, United States (1911 - Present, Lat 43.3826, Long -112.0349). Taylor has remained in Bonneville County until the present time. Taylor was selected as an Enumeration District in all of the US Censuses conducted until at least 1940.

Currently I see the following listings in the database" (5/15/21 - I just discovered that there is a "Place ID" assigned so I added them):

1. Taylor, Bingham, Idaho, United States, Village, 1890 - Today (11464948). That one could be edited to change the date range to "1890 - 1911". It has the correct Lat / Long
2. Taylor, Idaho Territory, United States, Village, 1885 - 1890 (8017151). That one needs "Bingham County" added and the Lat / Long changed. The current location is close to "Taylor - Idaho Falls" previously in the database that I don't believe ever existed. I think it was originally named that to distinguish it from the Taylor in Idaho County, Idaho. At any rate, the coordinates should be changed from 43.4833, -112.0167 to 43.3826, -112.0349.
3. Taylorville, Bonneville, Idaho United States, Town, Unknown - Today (3995477). It's coordinates has it in the right place as Taylorville is the name that shows up on most modern maps. I have found old Bingham County records where I believe the County Clerk may have incorrectly called the area Taylorville, which corroborates current maps' designation. It IS the same place, so I don't know if there is any change needed. It is also referenced as such in "Idaho Place Names", Lalia Boone, The University of Idaho Press, Moscow, Idaho, 1988. Her conclusions are not supported by documentation, but I believe she probably found some of the same Bingham County records I did. She also stated that Taylor was previously the name for Lewisville, which I found no documentation for. I believe that mistake occurred because Lewisville is straight north from Taylor and her research assistants confused the two?????

NEway, I hope this helps in correcting a few things.

Eric.Scott

I just looked on familysearch.org/research/places and saw that my suggestions have all been implemented. Thanks to those who helped with this! Now I can change the standardized places for the birth & burial of my Grandpa, Grandma, mother, father . . . So excited!