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

Wight's Fort Cemetery

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 12, 2026

1. Wight's Fort Cemetery Marker

Inscription. In the fall of 1854, construction on a fort began about 100 yards northwest of this cemetery. The uncertainty caused by the Walker Indian War and Brigham Young's urging to "Fort Up" had created a flurry of fort building that year. This fort was constructed from stones, mud, and logs, the walls being twelve feet high. The fort enclosed two and one-half acres, seven log cabins, several other buildings and a part of Bingham Creek, which at that time had a "nice flow of water". The fort was named for the Lewis and Nancy, Wight family including two sons. With the Wights were John Irving, Joseph Stacy, J. H. Murdock, John Loveless, John Elmer, and Sheldon Cutler who worked on the fort through the winter. The fort was finished and occupied by the spring of 1855.

The cemetery was located on this site after the pioneers had discovered the grave of an Indian baby. Lewis' son, Lyman and his wife, Harriet, buried their firstborn child near the Indian grave. Later John Irving buried his son here also. From that point, the area became a community burial ground. There are many unmarked graves.

Restored by The Sons of Utah

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Pioneers, Jordan River Temple Chapter, 2015.
Originál monument and plaque by Eagle Scouts Jason and Scott Goudie.

Erected 2015 by Sons of Utah Pioneers. (Marker Number 190.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Utah Pioneers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 40° 35.256′ N, 111° 58.459′ W. Marker is in West Jordan, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It is on 9000 South, on the right when traveling east. Marker located at the west end of the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3465 9000 S, West Jordan UT 84088, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Wasatch Front

and in Greater Salt Lake.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and on the 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

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 12, 2026

2. Wight's Fort Cemetery Marker

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: A different marker also named Wight's Fort Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Welby (approx. one mile away); Commerce Location (approx. 2 miles away); Air Pirates Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); Salt Lake and Utah Railroad (approx. 2.1 miles away); Utah Idaho Sugar Factory (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Grove (approx. 2.9 miles away); Irrigation (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Jordan.

Wight's Fort Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 12, 2026

3. Wight's Fort Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.