Bicknell is a town along State Route 24 in Wayne County, Utah, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 323.

History

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Bicknell was originally called Thurber, or Thurber Town, for A.K. Thurber, who in 1879 built the first house in the area. In 1897 the town moved to a new location due to sandy soil and poor water conditions.

In 1914 Thomas W. Bicknell, a wealthy eastern author, historian, and Education Commissioner for Rhode Island, offered a thousand-volume library to any Utah town that would rename itself after him. The town of Grayson also wanted the library prize, so in a compromise in 1916, Grayson took the name of Blanding, Mr. Bicknell's wife's maiden name, as a tribute to her parents. The two towns split the library, each receiving 500 books.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land. It is situated at an altitude of above sea level, in the Rabbit Valley in south-central Utah. The Fremont River flows through the valley, which lies between Thousand Lake Mountain to the north and Boulder Mountain to the south. Fishlake National Forest is to the north, and Dixie National Forest is to the south. The Capitol Reef National Park Visitors Center is to the east.

Distances

  • northeast of Bryce Canyon National Park
  • southwest of Price
  • west of Moab
  • south of Provo
  • south of Salt Lake City
  • northeast of St. George

Area sites

  • Bicknell Bottoms wildlife habitat and fish hatchery ( SE)
  • Boulder Mountain (, SE)
  • Capitol Reef National Park ( E)
  • Fruita Schoolhouse ( E)
  • Teasdale Tithing Office and Granary ( SE)
  • Thousand Lake Mountain (, NNE)

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bicknell has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.

Demographics

As of the census