In 1862, Jean Baptiste, a gravedigger, was exiled to Fremont Island after being caught robbing nearly 300 graves in Salt Lake City.

[5][6][7] In the early 1870s, the island became a spot for precious metal mining — though only 38 claims were made over a two-year span.

The state and owners then proceeded to hunt the remaining animals by air to prevent the potential spread to the mainland.

[9] In February 2018 Fremont Island was purchased by a group that included diesel truck entrepreneur David "Heavy D" Sparks as an investment.

The island is accessible via an exposed sand bar when the Great Salt Lake water level is lower than 4,194 feet in elevation.

Traveling to the island on foot or by bicycle is a muddy affair and may be best done when water levels are low or during winter months when the soft mud is frozen.

[14] While it is unlikely that the California endemic C. luteus occurred on Fremont Island, it is clear that some species of Calochortus once present is now extinct.