Historical Marker · No. 2747
Taylorsville/ Bennion Pioneers
West Valley City, Salt Lake County · Utah
Erected by SUP, 1986
These were the first families to live west of the Jordan River. Joseph and Susanna Harker, from England, built a log cabin near 3300 South in late 1848; in January 1849 the Bennion brothers and others crossed the frozen river on the ice to join them. There was nothing to build with, so they cut shelters into the bluffs and dug ditches. Crickets ate the first crop and drove them farther south before, in 1851, eight families finally brought in a harvest. Taylorsville took its name from the apostle John Taylor; Bennion, from the family that stayed.
Where it stands
40.66345, -111.93020 · Directions
Worth the stop nearby
- International Peace Gardens — 4.0 miA hidden garden where 28 countries are represented in miniature
- Liberty Park — 6.3 miSalt Lake Citys beloved 80-acre urban park since 1882
- Gilgal Sculpture Garden — 6.3 miA surreal and eccentric sculpture garden hidden in a residential neighborhood
- Temple Square — 7.7 miThe spiritual and architectural heart of Salt Lake City
More markers nearby
- 1900 Baptismal Site — steps away
- English Fort — 0.7 mi
- Millrace — 0.7 mi
- Archibalt Gardner Mill — 1.1 mi