HOWELL -- One century after Nephi Nessen purchased land and built the first homestead in the rural, sage brush-filled valley north of the Great Salt Lake, some things are different and some things are the same.

Homes and farms now dot the landscape in Box Elder County while a church, a small post office, a community center and an empty school give an identity to the town.

A nearby reservoir provides the water, and although a grocery store is a 25-minute drive away, the 250 residents of Howell still have access to every modern convenience.

Things that haven't changed include the peace and serenity of the valley, the quality of people and an overall spirit of neighborliness.

"It's the rural lifestyle that we enjoy," said Dennis Payne, a resident for more than 50 years. "It's not the big hustle-bustle of the city, it's the calmness of the valley. In places like Howell, lives are intertwined. You can depend on your neighbors. We wouldn't change it for anything."

Nephi's granddaughter, Koy Harris, agrees.

"The best part about living in Howell for me is the country life and the country caring of neighbors," she said. "We may not always get together and think the same, but during an emergency, the valley pulls together.

Vital issues

Even so, as the community prepares for its centennial celebration July 17-19, there is some concern for the future as Howell deals with such issues as lack of growth, few employment opportunities, the slow economy and keeping its school.

The Box Elder School District suspended use of the school last December after enrollment dipped from 15 to 12 students in grades K-5. Reasons varied from lack of resources to parents not liking the teacher, wanting to take students into Tremonton or keep them at home.

"I don't like to bad mouth the school district too much, but I feel like they didn't work too hard to get quality teachers out here," said Mayor Craig Hawkes. "Most parents and kids adjusted pretty well."

Two years ago, the town had to fight to keep its post office and ZIP code. From 1968 to 2007, Ethel Nessen operated the post office out of her home. At the end of her contract, she wanted it moved from her home, but the U.S. Postal Service didn't want to construct a building in Howell.

After considering its options, the town decided to build its own post office and hired someone to run it. The town borrowed money for supplies, and residents provided the labor to build the post office.

Optimism

Hawkes acknowledged times are tough, but he maintains a level of optimism.

"Hopefully, things can turn around and we can get new growth with babies being born and new families. When the economy gets going again, Logan and Tremonton are getting overflowed and people will move out here. That's kind of our hope," said Hawkes, who works at nearby ATK and farms on the side. "I guess if it (the school) doesn't reopen, we'll make it. The community out here will survive."

Martell Menlove, Box Elder School District superintendent, said he is looking forward to a meeting with parents April 29 to discuss the future use of the school. Since activity was suspended last December because of low enrollment, students have been riding the bus to North Park Elementary in Tremonton. Menlove's understanding is that parents have been satisfied with how things have worked out for the students in their 40-minute commute to North Park.

'We'll make it'

Ray Sorensen was born and raised in Howell. He owns a dairy farm. He said times were tough when his father, Elmer, was among the first to come to work at the Bar M Ranch.

The ranch had a contract to supply beef to the government, and it nearly lost everything when the contract was not renewed.

"It just about broke them when that happened, but they came back," Sorenson said.

A similar challenge came when Ray's dairy caught on fire more than a decade ago. He credits his neighbors in the valley for helping him through that hard time.

"Everyone helped. When someone hurts, we all hurt," he said. "It's a quiet valley, full of good people who are united. If something happens, like it has many times in the past, we'll make it through."

Challenges aside, there are many reasons to live the rural life. Lois Nessen, Lyle's wife, says her grandkids love the wide-open space for Easter egg hunts.

There is plenty of room for the Payne family to drive 4-wheelers, ride horses, go hunting and develop a good work ethic by doing chores on a farm.

"You may not be able to buy a gallon of milk nearby, but my dad used to say, growing up on a farm is the same as a college education," Dennis said. "I didn't understand that, but I can see what he means now as I look at what it has done for my family. And when someone asks me about my career, I can honestly say, 'I was outstanding in my field.' "

• Trent Toone writes for the Standard-Examiner. Standard-Examiner reporter Di Lewis contributed to this story.