Martin Henderson Harris

Harrisville took its name from Martin Henderson Harris — nephew of the Martin Harris who witnessed the Book of Mormon — and he shaped the place he named. He was the town's first permanent settler, first schoolteacher, and first presiding elder, but his real mark was on the ground: he surveyed the road through North Ogden Canyon and most of the roads north of the Ogden River, and laid out the Western Irrigation canal with a level he built himself. He also helped start the county's silk industry. His grandchildren set this marker on his home site.

What the plaque says

Outstanding pioneer, Harrisville's first permanent settler, first school teacher, first presiding Elder, nephew of Martin Harris, Book of Mormon witness. Missionary to Salmon River and Eastern States. County Road Commissioner, surveyed road through North Ogden Canyon, Ogden Valley, all roads north of the Ogden River and others in county. Used homemade water level to lay out Western Irrigation canal. Among first to introduce silk worm industry in county. Famous silk dress made by his wife on exhibit at Pioneer Relic Hall Ogden, owned store. At Farr West was a blacksmith, operated with others a sawmill and molasses mill. Prominent orchardist. Played in Nauvoo Legion Band, Utah bands and orchestras. Hauled logs for Harrisville School and Ogden Tabernacle. Erected on the original home site by his grandchildren Sept. 27, 1955 the 105th anniversary of his arrival in Weber County.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Ogden Union Station — 4.3 mi
  A grand 1924 train depot turned museum complex
• Snowbasin — 8.5 mi
  One of the country's oldest ski areas and a 2002 Olympic downhill venue — world-class terrain that somehow still skis uncrowded.
• Hill Aerospace Museum — 12 mi
  Over 90 military aircraft displayed indoors and on the tarmac
• Powder Mountain — 13 mi
  The largest ski resort in the United States by acreage — a famously uncrowded "PowMow" now remaking itself under Netflix's Reed Hastings.

More markers nearby

• Pleasant Green Taylor — 0.4 mi
• Bingham's Fort — 1.7 mi
• North Ogden — 2.4 mi
• Stage Coach Station — 2.6 mi