Spanish Fork in Utah County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

First Settlement of Icelanders in the United States

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 1, 2018

1. First Settlement of Icelanders in the United States Marker

Inscription. Leif Eiriksson, an Icelander, discovered America in 1000 A.D. Eight centuries later 1855-1860 sixteen pioneers from Iceland established in Spanish Fork the first permanent Icelandic settlement in the United States. They were: Samuel Bjarnson & Wife Margret; Thordur Didriksson & wife Helga; Sudmundur Gudmundsson; Loftur Jonsson & Wife Gudrun; Jon Jonsson & wife Anna; Gudrun Jonsdottir: Magnus Bjarnson & wife Thuridur; Vigdis Bjarnadottier (Holt); Gundy E. Haflidiason; Ragnildur S. Hanson and Mary H. Sherwood.

Erected 1938 by Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. (Marker Number 35.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and the Lighthouses series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 40° 6.282′ N, 111° 38.454′ W. Marker is in Spanish Fork, Utah, in Utah County. It is at the intersection of 400 S 800 and East Canyon Road, on the right when traveling east on 400 S 800. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 S 800 E, Spanish Fork UT 84660, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Wasatch Front

and in Greater Provo.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Spanish Fork Grist Mills (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Lush Valley of the Timpanogotzis

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(approx. ¾ mile away); Old Fort (approx. 0.8 miles away); Escalante (approx. 0.8 miles away); Old Academy (approx. 1.1 miles away); Spanish Fork Heritage Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); Leland (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spanish Fork.

More about this marker. The monument sits on a corner. It has a large white monument in the shape of a lighthouse with a stone bench at the bottom and pipe railings around it. Behind this there is a wall with Icelandic Monument in raised stone letters.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 1, 2018

2. First Settlement of Icelanders in the United States Marker

First Settlement of Iselanders in the United States Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tate Tanner

3. First Settlement of Iselanders in the United States Marker

Icelandic Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 1, 2018

4. Icelandic Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2017, by Tate Tanner of Spanish fork, Utah. This page has been viewed 1,419 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 23, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3. submitted on February 7, 2017, by Tate Tanner of Spanish fork, Utah. 4. submitted on April 23, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.