Grantsville in Tooele County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Twenty Wells/Emigrant Graves

Twenty Wells Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 30, 2026

1. Twenty Wells Marker

Inscription. Twenty Wells
Emigrants bound for California in 1846 rested in this vicinity because of the cold, pure, spring water welling up from holes in the ground. These holes were six inches to nine feet in diameter and more than 70 feet deep. When water was dipped out it was replaced immediately from an underground source but did not overflow the hard sides. Because of this phenomenon the springs were called wells. Twenty of these wells were scattered over the area of present-day Grantsville.

Some of the first emigrants called the area Hastings Wells. Named for Lansford W. Hastings, who pioneered a wagon route to the Humboldt River near Elko, Nevada. This alternate route to the California Trail through Tooele Valley was used by emigrants and gold seekers from 1846 through 1850. The plentiful grass and water in the valley made it a major campsite and resting place for wagon trains and pack parties taking the Hasting Cutoff.

Emigrant Graves...
Utah's First Emigrant Graves
In August 1846, the first emigrants to take the Hastings Cutoff to California arrived in the Tooele Valley. They left two of their number behind. John Hargrave, traveling

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with the Harlan-Young Party, died of pneumonia on August 11 and was buried the next day. The Donner-Reed Party reached the valley two weeks later. On August 26, a member of their company, Luke Halloran, died of consumption and was buried "at the side of an emigrant who had died in the advance company."

Historians have suggested present-day Grantsville or Lake Point as the site of these graves. Though the exact location may never be known, this panel commemorates John Hargrave and Luke Halloran, the first emigrants buried in Utah soil.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Natural Features • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1846.

Location. 40° 36.098′ N, 112° 28.423′ W. Marker is in Grantsville, Utah, in Tooele County. It is on North Cooley Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 73 N Cooley Street, Grantsville UT 84029, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Wasatch Front,

in the West Desert,

and in

Emigrant Graves Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 30, 2026

2. Emigrant Graves Marker

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jeffries Property Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Pioneer Blacksmith Shop (a few steps from this marker); The Cherokee Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Donner-Reed Memorial Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Grantsville Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lincoln Highway (approx. half a mile away); Alex and Mary Johnson Home (approx. half a mile away); Hilda Anderson Erickson (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grantsville.

Twenty Wells/Emigrant Graves Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 30, 2026

3. Twenty Wells/Emigrant Graves Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.