Layton and Davis County's histories are far different than other cities, counties

LAYTON is the largest city in Davis County, which is the smallest of all 29 counties in Utah. However, Davis County is
quite different from most Utah counties in more ways than total square miles.
In fact, there were unsuccessful proposals from Weber County in 1911 to carve up Davis County and give half to Salt Lake County and the other half to Weber County. Focus of that controversy was that Davis County wasn't keeping its roads smooth enough in the early age of automobiles.
"History: Davis County different from others" was a May 13, 1977, headline in the Davis County Clipper. This was the report of a lecture by Dr. Stanford J. Layton, editor of the Utah Historical Quarterly. (It was also co-sponsored by the Layton Heritage Museum.)

The article stated that despite its compact size, Davis County was highly sought after in its early decades because of its fertile soil.
"Unlike others in the state, there were no Indian wars fought, no labor troubles, none of the dynamics of southeastern European immigration to accommodate and no rollicking mining towns. Davis County hosted no major massacres, witnessed no audacious colonizing schemes, nor was it the scene of any railroad drama. But it was recognized as a lush verdant productive region agriculturally," the article stated.
Indeed, in August of 1846, Heinrich Lienhard, a Swiss immigrant, led a small party of California-bound pioneers through Weber Canyon. His writings described Davis County as rich soil and plenty of fresh water streams.
"What is most striking of Lienhard's impressions is that the region was a lush place. Yet his views were made during the driest time of the year," the Clipper article stated.
Davis County became "the breadbasket of the territory" to the Mormon Pioneers in the 1850s.
"In addition to grains and produce, Davis County raised some of the finest sheep, cattle and draft horses in the territory," the article continued. "… By the time of Brigham Young's death in 1876, Davis County was clearly the garden spot of the territory."
By the 1920s, Davis County boasted three canning companies.
Also, the railroad access meant the County's commodities could be
easily shipped to faraway places.
Thanks to the Bamberger Railroad in the early 20th Century,
Davis County enjoyed the best of two worlds – "ready access to the
urban conveniences and cultural advantages of Salt Lake City and
the uncomplicated wholesomeness and solidly middle class comforts of rural living," the article said.
Thanks to World War II and Hill Air Force Base, Davis County's
population doubled in the 1940s decade. That growth was repeated
in the 1950s. By 1960, Davis County was the 38th fastest growing county in the nation.
Suburbanization has since taken over Davis County's
agricultural roots as "crops" of new homes dominate where farms and grazing fields once flourished.

                                       The south end of Layton's Main Street.