Early Granger Schools/Monroe School

The valley's first schools were neighborhood affairs, built and named by the district. This marker remembers the early schools of Granger, the farming community that became West Valley City. Chief among them was the West Granger School, put up in 1903 in the old 46th District on Redwood Road; two years later it was renamed Monroe Elementary, a name that has followed the school through two more buildings and three locations since. The Daughters of Utah Pioneers placed this monument in 1983 to keep the record of where a growing community first sent its children to learn.

What the plaque says

Early Granger Schools Daughters of Utah Pioneers When Joseph Harker crossed Jordan River at 3300 South in 1848, he luckily found springs. By 1870 pioneers had sparsely settled the Granger area. School was held in homes until 1882 when the 16 x 24 foot West Granger was built at 3500 South and 4000 West on property donated by Alma Mathews. Miss Moore was the first teacher. Next, the Dewey School was built one half mile west of Redwood Road on 3500 South. Students paid tuition and furnished own transportation. Many pioneers had packed books into every crevice of their wagons to be shared later. In 1893, the Monroe School, a two-story brick building, was erected using a part of the West Granger School foundation. Each floor was heated by a potbelly stove. This loved old building was torn down in 1924. A three-story building had been built in 1903 beside the first Monroe School and was remodeled three times. It was demolished in 1972. A third Monroe School was then built at 3100 South and 4400 West. A Chevrolet complex has replaced the old school. No. 426 1983 Valley West Camp Julia Eldredge Camp

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• International Peace Gardens — 3.7 mi
  A hidden garden where 28 countries are represented in miniature
• Liberty Park — 6.7 mi
  Salt Lake Citys beloved 80-acre urban park since 1882
• Gilgal Sculpture Garden — 7.0 mi
  A surreal and eccentric sculpture garden hidden in a residential neighborhood
• Temple Square — 7.2 mi
  The spiritual and architectural heart of Salt Lake City

More markers nearby

• A Struggle for Water, west of the Jordan River — 0.5 mi
• English Fort — 3.1 mi
• Taylorsville-Bennion Cemetery & Cemetery Flagpole — 3.2 mi
• Carlisle Family Historical Marker — 3.5 mi