Nelson Granary

Every Pleasant Grove farmer needed a granary, and this small one stands for all of them. Jeppa and Anna Nelson reached the town in 1873 and, like many, spent their first winter in a rock-lined dugout before building a one-room house over it the next spring. This granary went up around 1874 to hold the family's grain, apples and root vegetables keeping in cellars nearby. Jeppa was remembered for sharing his harvest freely with those who had none. The building was moved to this spot in 1993, a plain wooden box that outlasted the hands that filled it.

What the plaque says

Built c1874 at 200 W. 100 N. over what is thought to be their original rock-lined dugout. This granary is representative of many granaries built by all Pleasant Grove farmers for grain storage. Root vegetables and apples were stored in cellars, some of which were originally dugouts. Jeppa liberally shared his harvest with those in need. The granary was moved from the Leon Hatch property to the present site March 2, 1993. Jeppa and Anna Nelson arrived in Pleasant Grove in 1873. 'They lived in a dugout until spring when a one room house was built:' "I remember the old cellar on the farm when I was a child, and Dad told us this was his first home." (History of Swen John Nelson written by his daughter, Zelda Nelson Freeman.) In addition to Jeppa's regular granary, this smaller one, thought to be the one-room house built over his original house, a dugout, was set right by the street. One day a fellow Scandinavian commented, " Bro. Nelson, that is a poor place to have a granary, and besides you are liable to have your grain stolen." Jeppa replied, "the purpose of putting the granary there and having it unlocked is so people who need the grain may take it with no embarrassment. They are welcome to it." The friend concluded, "now that is what I call a trusting good man." (Memories of Grandpa and Grandma Nelson, by Zelda Freeman.) Years after the Nelson family arrived in Pleasant Grove, Jeppa looked back and wrote of his settlement here. "And as fast as I was somewhat acquainted I received work. But there was no money to be had, but I earned wheat and other things which I could use in the family. I could do many different kinds of work and I took on anything they wanted me to do. I rented a couple of rooms until I had dug out a basement (dugout). I bought 10 acres of land, and in between working for other people, I dug the dugout, and lined it with brick and rock inside. So I had a good room ready at Christmas so I could move in - Then I went around during the winter and did some slaughtering, made wooden shoes, went to the mountains for timber for a chicken coop. I had no timber the first year. I didn't have much of my land tilled, but worked for others most of the time - then I bought a pair of oxen, an old wagon, and ten acres more land and leased five acres. Then it started to go well for me in working on the land, and I harvested wheat and potatoes and lucerne, and I bought until I had 30 acres. Then I had all I could do to take care of it..." (Journal of Jeppa Nelson)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Timpanogos Cave National Monument — 5.6 mi
  Three spectacularly decorated caves connected by hand-carved tunnels
• Lehi Roller Mills — 6.2 mi
  The flour mill from the movie Footloose
• Alpine Loop Summit — 7.0 mi
  The 8,000-foot high point of the Alpine Loop, face to face with Mount Timpanogos
• Aspen Grove — 7.5 mi
  The mountain-base trailhead for Mount Timpanogos and Stewart Falls

More markers nearby

• Pioneer Flour Mill — steps away
• Pioneer Relic Hall — steps away
• Pleasant Grove Town Hall — steps away
• In Commemoration of Utah's First Indian Battle — steps away