West Jordan in Salt Lake County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

West Jordan Industry

Pioneering Economic Development

— Gardner Mill and Bingham Railroad 1915 —

West Jordan Industry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Johnson, September 20, 2018

1. West Jordan Industry Marker

Photo Caption:
Gardner Mill and Bingham Railroad 1915 A view of "Gardner Mill" from the river bridge looking west. The Bingham Railroad was completed in 1874 but Bingham Highway was not hard surfaced until the 1920's. Note Pioneer Hall and the Gardner Store in the background.

Inscription. Early settlement centered around the West Jordan Mill built by Archibald and Robert Gardner. They established a saw mill in 1850 and a grist mill in 1854 near the Jordan River at 7800 South. A bridge over the Jordan River was built in 1852-1854. Soon other industrial businesses followed: a woolen mill, a tannery, a broom factory, brick making, a mattress factory and silk industry (supported by mulberry trees planted on the present site of the City cemetery in 1877). Mining in the Oquirrh Mountains led to the establishment of the Midvale Smelter in 1868 and the extension of Rio Grande Railroad between the mine and the smelter. The 7800 South "Bingham Highway" became the main travel corridor between Bingham Canyon and Bingham Junction (Midvale). This area flourished as a community center with a school (1852), the Old Rock Meeting House (1861-1867), post office and Haun's store.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 40° 36.551′ N, 111° 55.465′ W. Marker is in West Jordan, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It can be reached from South. Marker is located on the grounds of Gardner Village. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7800 South, West Jordan UT 84088, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is in the Wasatch Front

and in Greater Salt Lake.

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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: West Jordan Settlement (a few steps from this marker); North Jordan Canal (a few steps from this marker); St. Joer/Orr Cabin (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); West Jordan (about 400 feet away); West Jordan Pioneer Church (about 500 feet away); Utah Idaho Sugar Factory (approx. one mile away); Salt Lake and Utah Railroad (approx. one mile away); Air Pirates Memorial (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Jordan.

Photographed by Andrew Johnson, September 20, 2018

2. West Jordan Industry Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2018, by Andrew Johnson of Salt Lake City, Utah. This page has been viewed 423 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 20, 2018, by Andrew Johnson of Salt Lake City, Utah. 2. submitted on September 21, 2018, by Andrew Johnson of Salt Lake City, Utah. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.