Historical Markers and War Memorials in Davis County
Bloomfield is the county seat for Davis County
Adjacent to Davis County, Iowa
Appanoose County(4) ► Jefferson County(1) ► Monroe County(33) ► Van Buren County(3) ► Wapello County(16) ► Schuyler County, Missouri(2) ► Scotland County, Missouri(1) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
Built in 1877 at a cost of $45,201, the Davis County courthouse is an outstanding example of Second Empire architecture with its distinctive mansard roof and dormer windows. The structure measures approximately 97 by 87 feet with walls made of . . . — — Map (db m90341) HM
Site of
The Confederate Invasion of Iowa
12th Day of October 1864.
This monument marks the northern most point of incursion into Iowa by Confederate Forces. On October 12, 1864, Lieutenant James “Bill” Jackson led twelve heavily . . . — — Map (db m36092) HM WM
BLISS HALL was erected in 1872 by the New West Education Commission of the Congregational Church for Protestant Missionary Schools. It was named for Charles R. Bliss, a New England minister, and the hall served both as church and school. No . . . — — Map (db m245970) HM
Bountiful City
Incorporated December 14, 1892
Perrigrine Sessions drove his wagon north to this area in September of 1847. Here Sessions Settlement had its beginning, the second settlement in the territory of Utah. In 1855, . . . — — Map (db m245966) HM
The Bountiful Lumber and Building Association, incorporated four years before Utah
statehood was granted, is one of the oldest retail businesses in continual operation since partners Levi S. Heywood and Heber A. Holbrook first opened their doors . . . — — Map (db m245963) HM
One of the oldest L.D.S. chapels. Finest at time of erection. Augustus Farnham architect. Site dedicated Feb. 11, 1857 by Elder Lorenzo Snow. Grain was stored in stone foundation when Johnston's army advanced. The walls are of adobe. Roof timbers . . . — — Map (db m192433) HM
Brick making began early in Bountiful in several areas. The brickyard between 500 and 1500 South, and west of 200 West, was operated in turn by the Kirk Brick, Improved Brick, and Bountiful Brick companies, who made more bricks than any other Utah . . . — — Map (db m245925) HM
Daniel Davis was born on December 18, 1808, in Amesbury, Essex County, Massachusetts, the third child of Wells Davis and Mary Kelly Davis. As a young man Davis traveled to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he was converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of . . . — — Map (db m127586) HM
Born Oct. 16, 1800 in Dutchess County, New York. Died Apr. 15, 1892.
Baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Feb. 20. 1833, Errestown, Canada by Brigham Young. Persecuted with Saints in states of Ohio Missouri and . . . — — Map (db m245944) HM
This small private cemetery, once known as Nathan's Burial Ground, is the final resting place of the early pioneer settler Daniel Wood and many of his relatives. It is one of the oldest burial plots in Davis County.
Daniel Wood emigrated . . . — — Map (db m245931) HM
George Quinn McNeil was born to John McNeil and Mary Jane Quinn McNeil on January 4, 1865, in Bountiful, Utah. He married Adriane Marie Thomas on August 15, 1888. They lived on the family farm located on the southeast side of Bountiful City. Today . . . — — Map (db m127588) HM
Heber C. Kimball was born on June 14, 1801 to Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding Kimball in Sheldon, Franklin County, Vermont. He married Vilate Murray on November 7, 1822.
Kimball was converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of . . . — — Map (db m127584) HM
This site was surveyed August 1, 1852 and the mill (largest of it's time in Utah) was dedicated May 6, 1853.
Built on rock foundation with solid adobe walls trimmed with red sandstone, this Burr mill operated until 1892, when roller mills . . . — — Map (db m125132) HM
Jeremiah and Samantha Call Willey built this cabin in 1854 on land they owned at 495 East 500 South in Bountiful. In 1860 William and Fanny Burgess Gorringe became the owners, and in 1880 sold the cabin and part of the land to Daniel and Mary . . . — — Map (db m246339) HM
The Heber C. Kimball Gristmill, the foundation of which can be seen just east of this monument, was in operation from 1852 until 1892, using these burr-type gristmill stones. When the use of roller mills was introduced, mills of this type were no . . . — — Map (db m125133) HM
SIMON BAMBERGER conceived the idea of a local railroad between Salt Lake City and
Ogden. When the line came to Bountiful in 1892 it became an important factor in the
city's growth. For 10¢ residents of Bountiful could now ride to Salt Lake . . . — — Map (db m245969) HM
This frame store, built by Joel Parrish about 1903, faced Main Street on the northeast comer of Main and Center Streets. An addition on the north was used for storage. On the east side of the store was a two-story rock addition which housed . . . — — Map (db m246347) HM
Ozias Kilbourn built this two-story Classical style rock house with the
help of the skilled Scottish stonemason Charles Duncan in the late 1860s. The sandstone quoins or cornerstones, characteristic of Duncan's work, are believed to have been . . . — — Map (db m246343) HM
Centerville, also known as Deuel Creek and Cherry Creek in the early days, was first settled in 1848 by Thomas Grover and Canys and William Devel. They, along with other early settlers of Centerville, were converts to The
Church of Jesus . . . — — Map (db m246351) HM
This building was originally a stage coach station built and operated in 1866 by William Reeves for the Wells Fargo Company which had control of the Overland Route. After the Utah Central R. R. was completed in 1870, it was abandoned. Mr. Reeves . . . — — Map (db m246345) HM
In 1854 Anson Call of Bountiful erected a Grist Mill on the south side of Deuel Creek, just southeast of this marker. The mill was a three-story building made from Centerville Canyon rock, with the machinery on the top floor. The people brought . . . — — Map (db m246340) HM
The original one-and-one-half-story stone portion of this house was built
c.1862-66 by Charles Duncan, a skilled Scottish stonemason known for building rock structures throughout Centerville and Farmington, and Thomas Whitaker, who did the . . . — — Map (db m246348) HM
From the spot where you are standing, passengers boarded the Bamberger Railroad's southbound trains. The Farmington Station building, formerly a pioneer schoolhouse, was directly across the street to the east and has since been remodeled into a . . . — — Map (db m225331) HM
In memory of Captain Daniel C. Davis in whose honor Davis County was named at its formation Oct. 5, 1850.
Joined L.D.S. Dhurch at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and enlisted in the Mormon Battalion in 1846, where he was Captain of Company E. After . . . — — Map (db m246358) HM
This cannon is a replica of a 12 pounder Tredegar Iron Napoleon Confederate Civil War cannon manufactured in Richmond, Virginia in 1864. The original found its way to Farmington and was fired in many community celebrations in the late 1800's . . . — — Map (db m246360) HM
The first Historic District in Davis County to be listed on the National Register, the Clark Lane National Historic District encompasses the homes on State Street (formerly Clark Lane) between 200 West and 400 West. This neighborhood is significant . . . — — Map (db m225332) HM
During the late 1800s, this property was used as an LDS tithing lot for hay, grain, and produce. At that time, all of Davis County was one LDS Stake. The president of the Davis Stake was Joseph Hyrum Grant, who resided in Woods Cross, making him . . . — — Map (db m246362) HM
This home began as a humble, 12-foot square, single-cell house. It was made of sun-dried adobe bricks in 1862 by John Quincy and Minion Leavitt. They soon added a second small room to the first - now the northeast corner of this house. While living . . . — — Map (db m225330) HM
The Richards Grist Mill, originally known as the
Rock Grist Mill, was owned and operated by S. W. Richards & Co. It was designed and built by Utah millwright Frederick Kesler at the direction of LDS Church President Brigham Young. James Leithead . . . — — Map (db m245980) HM
In 1847 Hector C. Haight settled in North Cottonwood, now Farmington, followed by
others and a ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized
1849, Joseph L. Robinson, Bishop. In 1861 this cabin, built for Charles W. . . . — — Map (db m246363) HM
Primary Association Organized
The L.D.S. Primary Association, conceived by Aurelia Spencer Rogers, to foster cultural
physical and spiritual activity in children, was organized in this building Aug. 11, 1878.
Aurelia S. Rogers, . . . — — Map (db m246364) HM
The original, small rock home at 630 North Main Street in Farmington, Utah, is one of many stone structures that helps set Farmington apart as a city with a distinguishing architectural heritage. The home was built in 1880 by Walter Grover as a gift . . . — — Map (db m146938) HM
Originally built by Thomas and Electa Hunt in the 1860s, the VanFleet Hotel was probably first used as a residence. Located next to a Wells Fargo
stagecoach stop and county courthouse on what was once the highway
connecting Salt Lake City and . . . — — Map (db m246357) HM
George Pilling Adams was born in the old Kay's Ward in 1857 and attended school in what came to be known as Kaysville. George grew up on a farm and became a farmer by trade before his marriage to Ann Eliza Forbes in December of 1876. He built this . . . — — Map (db m125212) HM
Built in 1854 by John Weinel a native of Germany who came to Utah about 1853, the mill was the “overshot” water powered type & was erected on Webb’s Creek ¼ mile N.E. of this site. Native stones were used for the walls and pines for it’s . . . — — Map (db m123714) HM
Born 18 Feb 1792, Vermont. Died 17 Feb 1886, Layton, Utah.
Married Almira Cadwell 1823 and had 7 children.
Married Malinda Railey 1837 and had 7 children.
Elias was a War of 1812 veteran serving in Colonel Forsyth's regiment of riflemen and . . . — — Map (db m133561) HM
On this spot stood the Layton Stage Coach Station on the Utah Idaho Montana (Virginia City) trail. It was established in 1857 by Ben Holladay, and carried mail and passengers between Salt Lake and points north and west. Isaac Brown was the keeper. . . . — — Map (db m154484) HM
A close look around this area will reveal what remains of the foundation of the Frary's little home. This modest home was the center of life
for the family. Because of their remote island location, this is where the children
received their . . . — — Map (db m172634) HM
Explorers John C. Fremont and Kit Carson observed several antelope on the island during their 1845 journey, thus giving Antelope Island its name. This was the beginning of the island's recorded history.
An Island of Interest
Herdsman, . . . — — Map (db m243429) HM
A 7.2-mile, earthen causeway follows a natural sand bar extending from this shore area to the northern tip of Antelope Island. It separates Farmington Bay on the south and the main body of the lake. The original road, constructed by Davis . . . — — Map (db m243430) HM
Farmers used bailers in both
hay and grain production.
Hay and straw had to be
hauled to and hand-fed into
the baler for processing. This
process could be dangerous
to operators because their
hands and arms could be
sucked into the . . . — — Map (db m171430) HM
Food for Thought
Brine shrimp are important to the ecology of the Great Salt Lake. The Great Salt Lake is hypersaline, which means that it is many times saltier than the ocean. While fish and frogs cannot tolerate the high . . . — — Map (db m172250) HM
For over half a century, workers harvested grain by hand. This was a very
time consuming process.
By 1900, Island farmers had adopted mechanized grain binders to cut, bundle
and tie grain stalks together into sheaves. Farm hands loaded . . . — — Map (db m171434) HM
The Fielding Garr Ranch was first settled in
1848 and represents 133 years of western ranching
history. While exploring the ranch you will learn
of its colorful past and discover that many periods
of history are represented here. Evidence . . . — — Map (db m171405) HM
Early settlers knew the importance of education. In 1885, a one-room
schoolhouse was constructed on this site, and all 8 grades met together.
Textbooks were scarce, but the students learned reading, writing,
and arithmetic. Unfortunately, most . . . — — Map (db m243441) HM
As evidenced by visible shorelines along the east mountains and Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake is the remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville. Lake Bonneville existed from about 14,000 to 32,000 years ago and covered 20,000 square miles of Utah, . . . — — Map (db m243431) HM
“On March 4, 1905 we moved to Syracuse with all our possessions laoded in an old iron tired wagon. Our furniture consisted of a new bedstead and dresser, and our other household needs. A cupboard, table, chairs, and kitchen stove were all . . . — — Map (db m123765) HM
The signature scene, the dangerous buffalo hunt from the movie The Covered Wagon, was filmed on Antelope Island. Released in 1923, it was one of the most successful films of the silent era and the first epic western ever produced. An original . . . — — Map (db m125213) HM
Residents used horse-drawn
wagons on the island
from 1848 through the
1960s due to the prohibitive
cost of hauling fuel to
Antelope Island.
Horse and wagon were used
year-round to haul supplies
anywhere they were needed.
In the . . . — — Map (db m171427) HM
Despite living four miles from their nearest neighbor and having no church, school or town, the Frary children lived very happily on Antelope Island. With imaginations as wide and wild as the landscape around them, they found much to explore. . . . — — Map (db m172637) HM
In 1891 George Frary built a house on this 160 acre homestead. Six years later his wife Alice died and lies
at rest in this burial site.
Frary Family
Father-George Isaac Frary B. Nov. 18, 1854 in Madison, Wisconsin . . . — — Map (db m172272) HM
Employees of the Island
Improvement Company
planted several hundred
acres of hay and 1000
acres of wheat each year
on the Island.
Workers disked new fields
to remove surface weeds
and broke up deeply
compacted soil by using
the . . . — — Map (db m171450) HM
During the 1840s-1850s,
workers harvested grass
hay by hand and loaded it
onto wagons to be stored
for winter feed.
By 1870, field hands
switched to sickle mowers,
like these displayed here,
to harvest their hay. Initially
drawn by . . . — — Map (db m171436) HM
About 1872 the first soil was plowed in this community and in 1876-77 homes were erected. The people attended church services in Kaysville and Farmington prior to 1882 when Pres. Wm. R. Smith of Davis stake organized a branch of the L.D.S. church . . . — — Map (db m123767) HM
The Fielding Garr Ranch operated from 1848 to 1981.
As you walk through the site, see how many different types of building
materials you can identify.
Ranchers used the natural resources of the Isiand for their construction
projects. . . . — — Map (db m171508) HM
The Old Emigrant Road started at Salt Lake City, Utah, and ended at the City of the Rocks, Idaho, where it formed a junction with the California Trail. This road was also known as Bluff Road, Old Traveled Road, and the Salt Lake Cutoff. It was . . . — — Map (db m124032) HM
As you survey the vast expanse of inland sea and the causeway fading off into the distance, imagine the days before the causeway existed - nearly seven miles of tangy saltwater separating you from the mainland.
Getting Underway
For . . . — — Map (db m243427) HM
After 1900, farming
activities increased on
the Island.
Tractors became the most
important piece of
equipment at the ranch.
The first tractor you see is
a 1929 Case Model L.
This tractor pulled plows,
powered belt-driven . . . — — Map (db m171451) HM
Transportation to Antelope
Island varied due to
fluctuating lake levels.
In the late 1840s, residents
and visitors came to the
Island by horse and wagon
on buckboards like this one.
By 1853, lake levels rose
enough to make boats . . . — — Map (db m171507) HM
Eventually trucks replaced
wagons as a more efficient
and cost-effective mode
of transportation and
movement of supplies.
During low water years a
sandbar was exposed on the
Southeast end of the Island.
Trucks could cross . . . — — Map (db m171463) HM
The Walker Brothers, James T., Daniel, and Ephraim moved a building owned
by Isaac Barton across the street to this location and opened their store.
The home you see here now was remodeled from that original building. They opened the store in . . . — — Map (db m243428) HM
Among those who homesteaded Antelope Island were George Issac Frary, his wife Alice Eliza Phillips Frary, and five of their seven children Guy, Grace, Lottie, Dora and Frank. This spot is where the family lived, worked and played from 1891 to . . . — — Map (db m172304) HM
Founder of Great Salt Lake Park First Chairman of Great Salt Lake Authority State Legislature Member of Davis Recreation Committee Syracuse Farmer Sometime known as “Antelope Bill“ “It was on a hot July day in 1959. I had a walk . . . — — Map (db m185675) HM
"Following the bluff closely, it [the Hensley Salt Lake Cutoff] intersects Gentile Street, ... from this point the old road is on the location of what is designated as the 'Old Bluff Road'. ... it will continue through lower Syracuse and . . . — — Map (db m169277) HM
East side:
The only existing ruts on the Hensley/Salt Lake Cutoff between Salt Lake City and Tremonton are in the field north of this marker. The easterly route went into Brownsville [Ogden] while the westerly Bluff Road, and center . . . — — Map (db m169180) HM