Building On Our Heritage

When the Mormon Pioneers first came to the Salt Lake Valley, the river running west of the city was called the Western Jordan. All the area south of Big Cottonwood Creek was known as West Jordan.

Thomas Butterfield, Samuel Egbert, and others were among those who settled here in October 1849. They spent the winter in “dugouts” or man-made caves dug out of the hillside as protection from the harsh winter weather.

A remnant visible in the hillside about 300 yards down the canal. It is located midway between the top of the hill and the canal. Other settlers were scattered in similar settings up and down the river bank a distance of seven miles.

West Jordan incorporated as a town in 1941 and was advanced to city status in 1967. West Jordan remained a rural community until the 1970's. Rapid residential and industrial growth since that time have placed West Jordan as Utah’s seventh largest city.

Photo Caption:

Cooper's Store 1888

Fredrick Cooper’s general merchandise store with attached home in 1912 at 1300 West and Bingham Highway.

Marker can be reached from 7800 South.

Courtesy hmdb.org

Credits and Sources: