The name “Abplanalp” itself tells a story. High above the village of Brienz were mountain meadows known as “planalps.” Families who lived and worked on these elevated plains became known as the people “from the planalps.” Peter’s ancestors carried that identity with pride, and the mountains would remain a defining feature of Peter’s life wherever he went.

Peter was the third of ten children born to Johannes Abplanalp and Catharina Schild. Like many Swiss families of the time, the Abplanalps were industrious and skilled. As a young boy, Peter watched his older brothers and sisters practice the trades that helped support the family. He became fascinated by shoemaking and woodcarving, crafts that required patience, precision, and creativity. Those skills would serve him well throughout his life.

Growing up in Brienzwiler, Peter likely spent his days surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Snow-capped peaks reflected in the waters of Lake Brienz, cowbells echoed across green mountain pastures, and the rhythms of village life moved steadily with the seasons. Yet beyond the beauty of Switzerland, Peter dreamed of building a future with the girl who had been his friend since childhood.

That girl was Margaretha Eggler.

Margaretha was born in Brienzwiler in 1835, the first daughter in a hardworking family. She and Peter grew up together, attending school and sharing the experiences of village life. Their friendship gradually blossomed into love, and on November 30, 1855, Peter, age twenty-seven, married Margaretha, age twenty-one. They were mature, capable, and ready to begin a life together.

Two years later, their first child, Peter Jr., was born. Around this same time, the young couple discovered the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their new faith would change the course of their lives forever. Like many converts in Europe, they dreamed of gathering with fellow church members in America. The decision meant leaving behind family, familiar mountains, and the only home they had ever known. It was a tremendous sacrifice, but Peter and Margaretha were willing to take the risk.

The family crossed the Atlantic Ocean and settled temporarily in Sullivan County, New York. There they officially joined the Church through baptism in 1859 and welcomed two more children into their growing family. Yet New York was only a stopping point. Their hearts were set on Utah.

In 1861, Peter and Margaretha joined a wagon company headed west. Along with approximately 140 fellow travelers, they crossed the vast American plains. Peter drove oxen for the entire journey. Day after day, the company pushed westward through heat, dust, storms, and uncertainty. After more than two months of travel, they finally arrived in Salt Lake City in September 1861.

For three years, the family lived in Big Cottonwood. Peter had always loved mountains, and before long he was drawn further up to see what was on the other side of the mountain. He found himself in a beautiful valley east of the Wasatch Range known then as Provo Valley. The landscape reminded him of Switzerland. Towering mountains surrounded green meadows and clear streams. It felt like home.

When Peter arrived, there were two small settlements in the valley: Lower Creek and Mound City. The pioneers worked together closely, sharing labor and building a strong sense of community. However, growing tensions and conflicts during the Black Hawk War created concerns about safety. Church leaders encouraged settlers to gather into a fortified community for protection. As a result, families from both settlements constructed a fort midway between the two locations. Naturally, the new settlement became known as Midway.

Peter and Margaretha moved into one of the seventy-five dirt-roofed cabins inside Fort Midway. Their cabin stood in the middle of the north side of the fort. Life there was not easy. Families lived in cramped quarters, always aware of the dangers surrounding them. Yet they worked together, watched over one another, and built a community that would endure long after the threat had passed.

Peter did more than simply live inside the fort—he helped defend it. During the Black Hawk War, he served as a Second Lieutenant in the Ira Jacobs Infantry. For two years, he stood ready to protect his family and neighbors. Like many pioneers, Peter balanced military duty with farming, construction, and community service.

As conditions improved, families gradually moved out of the fort and built permanent homes. Peter’s home reflected the resourcefulness of Midway’s early settlers. Local materials were used to create brick, lumber from nearby sawmills, and limestone from the hot springs, which were used to create a sturdy family residence complete with bedrooms, a kitchen, and a vegetable cellar.

Life in Midway was not all work and hardship. Peter and his family brought Swiss traditions with them, including a love of music. The Abplanalps became known for their musical talents. Peter played in the first Swiss band in Midway, the Andreas Burgener Band. The musicians traveled to parades and celebrations on a large wagon pulled by impressive horses, bringing joy and entertainment to the growing community.

Meanwhile, Peter and Margaretha’s family continued to grow. They ultimately raised ten children, and remarkably, all lived to adulthood. Their descendants would spread across Utah and beyond, carrying forward the values of hard work, faith, and perseverance that Peter and Margaretha exemplified.

In 1885, after more than two decades in Midway, Peter answered another call to pioneer new territory. The family moved east to Ashley Valley in present-day Uintah County. Trading their Midway farm for an eighty-acre homestead, they once again started over. Peter Jr. remained behind in Midway, and the parting was emotional. As the wagons rolled away, a chapter of Midway history closed for the Abplanalp family.

Peter’s leadership continued in his new home. In 1887, he was ordained bishop of the newly organized Glines Ward. For twelve years, he served faithfully, helping guide the growing community until declining health forced his release.

When Peter passed away in 1900 at the age of seventy-one, he left behind far more than farms, homes, and community buildings. He left a legacy of determination. From the mountain villages of Switzerland to the pioneer settlements of Utah, Peter Abplanalp demonstrated what could be accomplished through faith, courage, and a willingness to build something greater than oneself.

Today, when visitors stroll through Midway and admire its Swiss heritage, they are seeing part of Peter’s legacy. The mountains that first shaped him in Switzerland eventually led him to another mountain valley where he helped create a community that still thrives today. His story is, in many ways, the story of Midway itself—a journey from distant Alpine roots to a new home, built on the American dream.

Learn more at Heber Valley Heritage Foundation: hebervalleyheritage.com

Not all Treasure is Silver and Gold, Mate!
– Captain Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean

I love hunting for history. Even the smallest articles have a story and those stories help us understand those who have come before. And when we understand them, we can better understand ourselves. The object I discovered that day was a lightly worn brass token almost the size of a modern quarter and later determined to come from a Café that was operating in Salt Lake City as late as 1935. After I gently cleaned the dirt off the token, using only soapy water and a soft cotton cloth, words letters and numbers appeared: “Café Grill…Good For One…12½ Cents…Cigar…1600 E 300 N”. It must have been a big stogie to cost 12½ cents back in those depression era days. Later that day, under a grassy rise a few feet from the walkway, I also detected and uncovered a large brass padlock, with “Miller” etched in script on its face. More research revealed that the respected Miller Lock company was bought out by York in 1905. I found a similar padlock selling on eBay for $45 — mine is in slightly better shape. The owner of the property, a friend, lets me keep the finds. I leave him with an old Lincoln cent and some buried metal farm tools I dug up earlier. No gold or silver yet but some interesting relics from our Heber Valley past.

As a geologist, I am drawn to the rich mining histories of both Wasatch and Summit counties. Much of my free time is spent hiking and exploring the old mining sites. Today, a 2.7-mile hike takes me along a trail that partly follows a turn of the century (1890-1915) narrow gauge, mine railway. I gain almost 2,500 vertical feet before reaching the abandoned shafts and large tailings of a once-productive mine. This is quite a feat considering I am also hauling my detecting tools, backpack, and rock hammer with me — this ‘scavenger hunt’ will require a bit more effort. Here, Heber City, Midway and Park City miners once labored in tunnels that reached depths of 2,300’. This specific site was part of a complex that once produced thousands of ounces of gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Old assay buildings, cabins, latrines, storage bunkers, and even a saloon dot the site, mostly buried in pines on the south side of a creek. The majority of abandoned Wasatch Back mines are either part of Wasatch Mountain State Park or were bought by the Extell Corporation for development of the new Mayflower Resort complex. Detecting in these old mines is now almost impossible due to state and private property restrictions. But today is a Bonanza-Eureka day as I uncover Wasatch Back history once again in the form of narrow gauge railroad spikes, mining drill bits once used to set explosive charges to listen up the ore, a silver fork and spoon, a broken pocket knife, several high-grade ore/mineral specimens, and a pewter cup that perhaps once watered a thirsty miner!

Uncovering our rich past is not limited to those with metal detectors and rock hammers. Sometimes a historical object with a story to tell can be found half-buried in an old wall or attic space while remodeling, or even hidden in the pages of an old book that once belonged to someone’s great-grandparents. The publisher of Heber Valley Life Magazine found a variety of historic artifacts, including old tin holders with colorful labels, while remodeling the old building that now houses Heber City’s own magazine and printing company!

Finally, there are many local fields, ballparks, fairgrounds, old home sites, municipal parks, and other places that make for great detecting and scavenging. It is vital to get permission first before detecting/exploring on private property or State Park properties. National Parks are strictly off-limits.

To learn more about detecting, scavenging, and collecting history I recommend reading back issues of local newspapers and magazines. You can also join a local historical society, talk to the folks at the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum on Main Street, or attend a meeting of the Wasatch Coin and History Club (held on the last Tuesday of each month at the Wasatch County Library in Heber City from 6-7:30 PM). Happy hunting!

List of Tools for Beginner Treasure Hunters

1. Inexpensive metal detector
2. Garret pinpointer
3. Extra batteries
4. Sturdy trowel
5. Canvas or tough nylon pouch with handle to carry extra batteries, and items found.
6. Small, sturdy steel shovel (optional)
7. Metal or plastic sand  scooper with small holes to catch coins in sandy areas (optional)
8. Hand-held GPS map and place marker (optional)
9. Small towel to dry things off if it rains
10. A few Ziploc bags for extra found items

List of Tools for Advanced Treasure Hunters

All the above PLUS:

• You’ll want an advanced metal detector and pinpointer capable of differentiating iron, silver, copper, and gold with a depth meter and waterproof 11” coil.
• Extra coil for deeper detecting – 16” (optional)