Utah Idaho Sugar Company Factory

Sugar came from beets, and beets came from Mormon fields. The Utah-Idaho Sugar Company — a church-backed enterprise that began with the Mountain West's first beet-sugar factory at Lehi — ran this West Jordan plant, which pressed some 4.9 million tons of beets into more than thirteen million hundred-pound sacks of sugar. Its real legacy was in the lab: research here helped conquer the "curly top" disease that ravaged the crop and helped develop the hybrid monogerm seed that changed beet farming everywhere. The factory is gone; a rebuilt marker in Veterans Memorial Park keeps its account.

What the plaque says

Sons of Utah Pioneers Utah Idaho Sugar Company Factory West Jordan, Utah 1916-1970 In 1849 Governor Brigham Young sent Apostle John Taylor on a mission to France to investigate industries that could be successfully established in the New Mountain Empire. There he met Phillip DeLamare, a man of exceptional talents and substantial means, who had a knowledge of the sugar industry. In Orras, France, they carefully examined the sugar beet industry, and convinced of its possibilities, raised funds in England and purchased equipment in Liverpool, England. Early in 1852, the equipment was shipped to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. There it was placed on 40 sturdy Santa Fe wagons, each drawn by 4 to 8 oxen. This private enterprise faced monumental setbacks and many wagons were replaced before they reached Provo, Utah one year later. Due to insufficient funds, ownership of the property was transferred to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who set up a "pilot plant" on the northeast corner of the Temple block. Another plant was built on Parleys Creek and later known as "Sugarhouse". In 1854 the factory was ready for operation but it never flourished due to inexperience, lack of organization, marketing, weather and spoilage. The vision was not dead however. Arthur Stayner examined the industry in California and with 20 stockholders he organized the Utah Sugar Company of Lehi, Utah, August 30, 1889. The original principals involved were: Elias Morris, President; Francis Armstrong, Vice President; James Jack, Treasurer; Arthur Stayner, Secretary and General Manager; and James H. Gardner, Sugar Boiler. This venture was successful and provided the incentive for other factories in Utah and Idaho, including the large U & I plant at West Jordan, which became the model of productivity, research and cooperation between farmers, producers, and consumers for 55 years. Great economic growth was derived from the millions of dollars dispersed throughout Utah and Idaho from research and the manufacturing of sugars and syrups. Over 13,163,157 one-hundred pound sacks of sugar were produced from over 4,910,869 tons of sugar beets. The West Jordan plant's research contributed to the control of sugar beet diseases, including the dreaded "curly top", and in the development of Hybrid Monogerm seeds. The factory was constructed at West Jordan, Utah for Utah Idaho Sugar Company by E.H. Dyers & Company. The original officers were Joseph H. Smith, President; Thomas R. Cutler, Vice President and General Manager and Horace G. Whitney, Secretary and Treasurer. Site No. 12 Jordan River Temple Chapter, Sons of Utah Pioneers Dedicated August 2, 1986

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• International Peace Gardens — 7.9 mi
  A hidden garden where 28 countries are represented in miniature
• Gilgal Sculpture Garden — 10 mi
  A surreal and eccentric sculpture garden hidden in a residential neighborhood
• Liberty Park — 10 mi
  Salt Lake Citys beloved 80-acre urban park since 1882
• Temple Square — 12 mi
  The spiritual and architectural heart of Salt Lake City

More markers nearby

• West Jordan City Park Salt Lake and Utah Railroad — steps away
• Salt Lake & Utah RR/Utah Idaho Sugar Factory — steps away
• Air Pirates Memorial — steps away
• Broom Factory and Wagon Train terminal — 0.3 mi