Richmond is the Cache Valley’s growing farm town
Richmond is a small town in the north end of Utah’s Cache Valley. Although Richmond still maintains its dairy farming roots and a rural feel, the town is starting to grow. “The real beauty of living here is that you’re close to Logan, which is the valley’s main hub, but it’s a real rural environment,” says Realtor Kimberly Phipps with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Utah Properties, who’s been selling in the valley for almost 25 years. Only 15 miles north of Logan, Richmond's location is attracting all kinds of investors. “Richmond has had a lot of growth now that they’ve built the Cherry Peak Ski Area up the hill from town,” Phipps says. “Now there’s a grocery store and lots of new development.” The newly added mountain recreation and convenient shopping have brought more eyes to this scenic farm town.
New construction and 1920s bungalows
The streets have a mix of home styles, from suburban-looking rows of New Traditional homes to rural ranch-style houses surrounded by countryside. The median price for a single-family home is under $520,000, which is typical for midsize New Traditional homes being built around town. “There’s been a lot of new development recently,” Phipps says. “It has added a lot more single-family homes.” However, it’s not all new. Older ranch-style homes often cost under the median, while 1920s bungalows and late-1800s cottages can go for as low as $270,000. Prices top out at just over $1 million for larger new homes with panoramic mountain views outside the town center.
Skiing and hiking in the Bear River Mountains
Richmond is close to some of the best skiing in the Bear River Mountains. Cherry Peak Ski Resort is just a few miles up the ridge east of town. It offers day and night skiing on slopes for different skill levels. “Cherry Peak is a really nice ski area because it’s not super crowded,” Phipps says. “It’s the type of place people go after work to ski a few slopes before dinner.” During the summer, these ridges and canyons can be explored on scenic hiking trails. The hike to Cherry Peak — the summit above the ski resort — traverses forests, waterfalls and wildflower meadows before reaching the panoramic viewpoint. Richmond City Park provides green space in town, along with a playground and basketball courts next to the community center.
A-minus-rated elementary and middle schools in town
Richmond is served by the Cache County School District, which is a top five district in Utah and earns an A rating, according to Niche. Students begin at White Pine Elementary and continue at North Cache Middle. Both are located in town and receive an A-minus. They finish at Sky View High School, which is just over 5 miles south in Smithfield and gets a B-plus grade.
May the best cow win at Black & White Days
Richmond’s Black & White Days is a popular livestock festival. This weeklong event held every May was started in 1912 as a Holstein show, where local cow farmers would bring their top Holsteins in hopes of winning best in show. Today, the cattle show continues with the addition of food vendors, live music, pageants and a parade. The festivities end on a Saturday evening with the annual horse pull.
Main Street restaurants and essentials at Lee’s Marketplace
Richmond has one grocery store and a handful of places to eat. Main Street is the town’s central artery, home to the local church and a few small businesses. L.D.’s Café is a staple across from the library on Main Street. It’s a classic diner through and through, from the wrap-around counter seating to the hearty plates served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A couple of blocks away, Paco’s Tacos is a favorite for quick Mexican street food. Lee’s Marketplace, on the north end of town, is the only supermarket. There are a few more restaurants to the south in Smithfield, and more shopping options in Logan.
Logan is less than 15 miles south on U.S. Route 91
Richmond has an agricultural legacy, but many residents commute south on U.S. Route 91 to employers in the region’s bigger cities. Logan is Cache County’s primary city, less than 15 miles south. It’s home to Utah State University, one of the state’s largest institutions, which employs over 1,200 faculty and staff at the Logan campus. The Logan-Cache Regional Airport is the closest outlet for domestic flights. Preston, Idaho, is less than 15 miles north. It’s home to Franklin City Medical Center, a prominent hospital in the area. Some commuters might also drive 60 miles south to Ogden or just under 100 miles south to Salt Lake City.
