'What If?' Layton had gained its freedom by de-annexing from Freedom, an early Kaysville name...

LAYTON City is an outgrowth of Kaysville City. Layton de-annexed from Kaysville to become an unincorporated area, from 1902-1907. Layton incorporated as a town as a town in 1920. However, the town of Kaysville was originally known as Kays Settlement, after its first LDS Bishop, William Kay. When the Kay family moved out of the area, there was a movement to try and rename the community “Freedom.” The Deseret News of Nov. 21, 1860 even referred to the town by its Freedom title. Brigham Young disliked the name and suggested Kaysville, which became its permanent moniker. Yet, ironically, if the town had kept the name Freedom, Layton would have gained its own “freedom” by leaving “Freedom.” (-From Utah Place Names,” by John W. Van Cott).

             A 1902 newspaper story highlighting Layton's independence from Kaysville.
                                                            (Photo from Heritage Museum of Layton's Collection.)

-“There was a surprise party and Henry Thornley’s home and someone drove off

the teams and hid the wagons and as a result, one couple had to walk five miles to reach their residence. (Davis County Clipper, Sept. 26, 1895.)