Located just 45 miles east of Salt Lake City, on SR 32, in the beautiful Kamas (Rhodes) Valley, Oakley (elev. 6500') is a Gateway to the High Uintah Mountains. Some of the most magnificent scenery imaginable can be seen along the Weber Canyon Road, which follows the Weber River to its headwaters, as well as the Smith and Morehouse Creek to its reservoir in its own scenic canyon just 15 miles from Oakley.

A Mormon pioneer, Parley P. Pratt, was sent to this valley from Salt Lake City by Brigham Young in 1850 to check on the possibility of establishing settlements along the Weber and nearby Provo Rivers. His report was "a good valley, abundant grass and plenty of water".

The first white man to winter here was Thomas Rhodes, in 1853. An explorer, trapper, prospector, part time farmer and close friend of Brigham Young, he was occasionally called from his California prospecting by Brigham when there was a need for money for the church. Rhodes would disappear for a week or so into the High Uintahs and return with a supply of gold.

The first settlers in Oakley were William Stevens and wife Emma Crowder Stevens, having moved here in 1868. Soon to follow were relatives and friends, among whom were the Fraziers, Hortins, Richards, Wildes and Gibbons, to name a few; and all names still prominent in the town - which says something about being born in "God's Country", one doesn't want to leave.

Oakley's original name of Oak Creek was derived from a creek which ran just east of the present town site and which was thickly overgrown with oak trees. It was changed to its present name in late 1886 or early 1887, having been chosen from many names submitted by the settlers in a contest.

Incorporated in 1933 on land originally purchased from the Union Pacific Company by the early settlers in the land sale of the 1880's, Oakley has maintained its small town (1200 pop.) charm as primarily an agricultural community, at one time being a large producer of dairy products. More recently it is given to cattle and horse feeding, "haying", still some dairying and a base for recreational activities which abound - hiking, fishing, horseback riding, camping, hunting, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing - all within a very short distance from town.