Gardner's Saw Mill

Utah's commercial lumber industry started with three boards. Robert Gardner and his sons sawed them at Warm Springs in October 1847, within months of the wagons arriving, then moved the mill to this stream in 1848 — where it ran on the first formal water grant issued for industrial use in the territory. A flour mill soon rose a few rods upstream, and together the two plants named the water: Millcreek, stream and canyon both. The Gardners lived at their own fort nearby, holding the first permit granted to leave the pioneer fort and settle out.

What the plaque says

Was erected by Robert Gardner and his sons, Archibald, Robert and William, on Warm Springs Stream, in Salt Lake City, October, 1847, where three boards were sawed. The Mill was moved to this site in 1848, producing the first commercial lumber in Utah, on the first formal grant of water for industrial use. Later, a flour mill was erected a few rods upstream, these plants giving the name, Millcreek, to the stream and canyon. Gardner's Fort, domicile of the Gardner families, was located a short distance northeast, the Gardner's receiving the first permit to leave the pioneer fort.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Gilgal Sculpture Garden — 3.6 mi
  A surreal and eccentric sculpture garden hidden in a residential neighborhood
• Liberty Park — 3.8 mi
  Salt Lake Citys beloved 80-acre urban park since 1882
• This Is The Place Heritage Park — 4.5 mi
  A living history village at the mouth of Emigration Canyon
• International Peace Gardens — 4.5 mi
  A hidden garden where 28 countries are represented in miniature

More markers nearby

• Old Brickyard Chimney — 0.9 mi
• Legacy of the Black Pioneer — 1.1 mi
• First Millcreek Ward Chapel — 1.4 mi
• Uriah Nephi Smart Tannery — 1.6 mi