Far West

The site chosen for Far West was a high rolling prairie, visible for long distances, from all directions. The plat of the town as laid off embraced a square mile of territory, to wit: N.E. qr., sec. 15; N.W. qr., sec. 14; S.E. qr., sec. 10; and S.W. qr., sec. 11. In the centre of the town a large square was left as a site for the temple which it was their design to erect. The square was approached by four main streets, each a hundred feet wide. The Mormons built no other town in the County. Here Joe. Smith, the prophet-chief, established his residence; and the town became the great commercial center of the Mormons. As its population increased, additions to the town were laid out. At the time of the Mormon war the population of Far West was about 2,500, and it was the largest town in the state, north of the Missouri River.

Crosby Johnson, An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Caldwell County, Missouri.    1876.  Edwards Brothers