Riverton City, Utah: Looking Back One Hundred Fifty Years

SEPTEMBER 8, 1947

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BIG CANAL

The small country town of Riverton, Utah, on September 8, 1947, shown from an aerial view. Riverton had approximately 1,600 residents at the time. Redwood Road, 12600 South, 2700 West, 1300 West, and several canals were the major features that intersected the town which was mostly farmland.

2700 WEST

12600 SOUTH

1300 WEST (LOWER ROAD)

LITTLE CANAL (SOUTH JORDAN CANAL)

12300 SOUTH

REDWOOD ROAD

I NG BACK LOOK

UTAH

Riverton City: Looking Back One Hundred Fifty Years was prepared in honor of Riverton’s Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2015, commemorating the arrival of settlers in 1865. Compiled by City Historian, Joy Johnson.

••• Mayor Bill Applegarth Councilmember Brent Johnson Councilmember Trent Staggs Councilmember Sheldon Stewart Councilmember Patricia Tingey Councilmember Paul Wayman

LE TAB

OF CONTENT S

AGRICULTURE 1

COMMERCE 33

CHURCHES 69

COMMUNITY 85

SCHOOLS 101

ULTURE C I R AG

1900s FARM SCENE, RIVERTON ~ This J. I. Case Traction Engine (right) was used to help power the threshing machine (left), which separated the grain from chaff, freeing farmers from a slow and laborious process. With threshing machines, the grain was cut in the field, shocked to dry, and hauled to the threshing machine. The long belt kept the fire hazard of the traction engine away from the dry grain. Courtesy of the Dansie family. 2

MORGAN MAP ~ (Left) This map of Riverton was hand drawn by resident Joseph E. Morgan in approximately 1910 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1911. Morgan also produced a brief written history of Riverton, which was published in Riverton: The Story of a Utah Country Town, by Melvin L. Bashore and Scott Crump.

BECKSTEAD, BUTTERFIELD HOME ~ (Above) Located at 13024 South Redwood Road, this home was built in approximately 1895 and owned by George Francis Beckstead. This photo was dated 1906. Courtesy of the Butterfield family.

GFB BARN ~ This photo shows the remarkable architectural design of George Francis Becksteadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Riverton barn, which bears his initials on the peak of the roof. The structure also boasted hardwood floors and a stained glass window Courtesy of the Butterfield family. 6

BECKSTEAD-BUTTERFIELD BARN DRIVEWAY ~ The Beckstead property was sold to Almon Thomas Butterfield. Almon added the brick walls and tree-lined entrance and he changed the initials on the barn from GFB to ATB. The barn was eventually demolished in 1968. The Riverton City Pueblo Del Montana Subdivision and park are located where it once stood. Courtesy of the Butterfield family.

HAY RAKING ~ In this photo taken on the Hamilton Ranch, a gas-powered tractor is pulling a side-delivery rake used to windrow hay and alfalfa in the field while drying. Circa 1950. Courtesy of the Page family. 7

HAY STACKER ~ This hay stacker was used by Riverton farmers after the hay had dried in the field. A tractor would pull a hayrack, which in turn would pull the hay stacker, which would elevate the loose forage onto the wagon for transport. Circa 1950. Courtesy of the Dansie family.

SUGAR BEET KNIFE ~ Prior to the 1950s, sugar beets were harvested with a sugar beet knife. This knife topped and harvested countless tons of sugar beets in Riverton. Courtesy of the Nokes family.

CORN PLANTER ~ Riverton farmers used corn planters such this one to plant their annual crops. This device made it possible to plant as many as four acres in a day without bending over to plant each seed. The 1902 Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog advertised a similar Acme planter for 56 cents. Courtesy of the Nokes family. 9

RIVERTON ALFALFA FEED MILL ••• Located north of 13400 South, the Riverton Alfalfa Feed Mill was owned by the Riverton Livestock Company. It was organized in 1919 and had its own spur (train track) west of the main “Orem Line.” The facility served both as a feed mill that manufactured mash or feed for livestock and in later years as a sugar beet dump. The feed mill was painted dark red with white trim. There were two cyclone vents in the roof, which were fans used to move chopped hay and grain to a mixer. In the mixer, the chopped hay and grain would be mixed with steam-heated molasses pumped from a tank car on the spur. The molasses tank cars came from the Sugar Factory in West Jordan. In the winter, steam from the scale house was piped to the tank car to assist with the flow of the thick molasses. Farmers with wagonloads of alfalfa would manually pitch fork their alfalfa into the mixer with the grain and molasses. The ratio was 3,500 pounds of alfalfa, 350 pounds of molasses, and 700 pounds of grain, which would result in one wagonload of mash or feed. The feed was used to fatten lambs brought into the livestock yard in the fall at 50–60 pounds in preparation for selling them at 90–100 pounds. This photo was taken in 1922. The Alfalfa Feed Mill and buildings were torn down in 1932.

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Image courtesy of Charles Panhorst; used by permission, Utah State Historical Society

CHOPPER ~ This insulage or forage chopper was pulled by a gasoline-powered tractor and used to cut green corn or forage crop for cattle feed. Circa 1945. Courtesy of the Dansie family.

BULK GRAIN COMBINE ~ The Butterfield family purchased its first bulk grain combine for their irrigated land in 1938. Courtesy of the Dansie family.

BEET WAGON ~ During sugar beet harvest season, school was typically dismissed for up to two weeks as all hands were needed in the fields. Circa 1936. Courtesy of the Peterson family.

FREEMAN RESIDENCE ~ In 1907 the Freeman family purchased this 34-acre farm near 12200 South and 1300 West. Freshly cut hay left to dry in the fields of this Riverton Farm provides a great play area for children. The wooden barn was dismantled in 1977 and the house in 1984. Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society.

OLD BETSY ~ This barn housed Riverton’s Jordan Valley Dry Farm steam tractor. Dozens of local families pooled their resources to form a farming co-op, and their tractor was named “Old Betsy.” This barn, just south of Riverton High School, was Betsy’s resting place, when she was not working on “the flat.” Courtesy of the Riverton Historical Society.

THE LITTLE CANAL ~ Running somewhat parallel to the Jordan River, this canal is operated by the South Jordan Canal Company and winds through Riverton from approximately 1300 West to 1500 West. Circa 1900 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1920. Courtesy of the Jensen family.

DRY FARM ~ Threshing season was strenuous and often required a crew of 8â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12 men. These crews generally had a cook wagon to provide meals and moved from farm to farm. A single homestead took from a few days to a full week or more to complete. This photo of the Jordan Valley Co-op is dated 1909. Courtesy of the Page family.

BEET HARVEST ~ A farmer transports Sugar Beets to market, circa 1940. Courtesy of the Jensen family.

GENT ~ Used primarily for breeding on the Dansie family’s Riverton farm, this Stallion named “Gent” belonged to George Dansie. Courtesy of the Dansie family.

1900 STEAM ENGINE TRACTOR ~ Steam traction engines were typically used as stationary engines doing belt work to power implements. They did not carry much fuel or water. In this Riverton photo water is being transferred from a portable water tank to the on-board water tank of the steam traction engine. Courtesy of the Dansie Family. 18

SCHOOL BUS ~ This photo, taken near 2700 West and 11800 South, was dated 1936 and shows the wintertime challenge of transporting rural children to and from school. Courtesy of the Dansie family.

TOPPING BEETS ~ Sugar beet harvesting was done by hand for many years. This process included digging, topping, windrowing, and forking the beets into a truck or wagon. Normally it would take 60 man hours to harvest one acre of sugar beets. Courtesy of the Jensen family.

THRESHING MACHINE ~ A threshing machine set up like this was a common scene on the farms of Riverton in the 1950s. Courtesy of the Hamilton and Dansie families.

WAGON REMAINS ~ These steel wheel rims and few boards are all that is left of one useful Riverton farm wagon. Courtesy of the Silcox family.

HANDMADE WHEELBARROW ~ This handmade wheelbarrow was crafted in the early 1900s by Riverton resident Richard Withers. Courtesy of the Withers family. 22

SHEEP FARM ~ Early Riverton was big sheep raising country. In 1876, Salt Lake County Tax Assessment Rolls identify 11 Riverton individuals or households with a total of 250 head of sheep among them. This 1920s photos is of the Hamilton Brothers sheep farm. Courtesy of the Hamilton family. 23

BRIDGE AT RIVERTON ~ (Pages 24–29) These Shipler commercial photographs are dated October 20, 1910, and were taken at the Riverton crossing of the Jordan River. The bridge was renovated in 2000 and still sits in its original location, just north of 12300 South in the Jordan River bottoms, near Dr. O. Roi Hardy Park. Pages 26–27: Looking south. Pages 28–29: Looking east towards Draper and the Wasatch Mountains. Pages 34–35: Looking west towards Riverton and Tithing Yard Hill. Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society. 24

RIVERTON BRIDGE ••• From the Salt Lake Tribune, dated October 12, 1909 PLANS FOR BRIDGE AT RIVERTON ARE APPROVED

At the meeting of the county commissioners Monday morning the plans for the new concrete and steel bridge over the Jordan River at Riverton were approved and bids for the construction of the improvement will be advertised for at once. The bridge will cost about $5000. The employees in the office of Country Treasurer Groesbeck will receive additional pay for the increased amount of work in the collection of taxes in the months of October, November, and December. The commissioners decided to allow each employee in that office $10 increase in pay for October, $20 for November and $10 for December.

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From the Salt Lake Telegram, dated November 2, 1909 BRIDGE OF JORDAN WILL BE OF STEEL

The Midland Bridge Company of Kansas City was the successful bidder before the county commissioners yesterday for the building of a new bridge over the Jordan at Riverton. The amount of its bid was $5392 for a steel bridge, the commissioners having decided that a cement bridge cannot be laid with safety in the winter. The other bidders were: Minneapolis Steel and Machinery Company, steel, $5687; James J. Burke and Co., steel, $3950: James Wood, Murray, concrete, $3950; S. Birch and Sons Construction Company, concrete, $4300. To the amount of the bids for a concrete bridge must be added $1275 which the county must pay for the steel work.

OUTHOUSE ~ In 1893 the Draper family built a home near 13500 South and Redwood Road. This outhouse or privy was a â&#x20AC;&#x153;two-seaterâ&#x20AC;? and was used prior to indoor plumbing. Courtesy of the Leake family.

SHEEP SHEARS ~ Sheep raising was a central part of the early Riverton economy. In July 1892, the Deseret Evening News stated that a herd of 2,500 sheep would cost the owner about $1,200 per year. After expenses and typical loss, he could net around $3,300 per year. These handheld shears were used in Riverton for many decades. Courtesy of the Nokes family. 30

BEAR CANYON CULINARY WATER ~ In April of 1914 the Salt Lake Tribune stated that a water system had recently been constructed. It consisted of 13 miles of wooden pipelines bringing culinary water from the Wasatch Mountains to the 150 patrons living in Riverton, at a cost of approximately $2 per month per family. This pipe was part of that system. Courtesy of the Nokes family.

RIVERTON PIPELINE CO. ~ The Riverton Pipeline Company was organized in 1907 to purchase water from Bear Canyon Pipeline Company. Construction on the pipeline was completed in 1908. This minutes book of the Riverton Pipeline Company is dated 1915 and contains the proceedings of the business matters of this organization. Courtesy of Riverton City. 31

MERCE M O C

THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING ••• “The Commercial Building” was built in 1893 by Daniel Densley, and housed businesses on the main floor and an amusement/dance hall on the second floor. At various times tenants on the main floor included a general merchandise store, a post office, a bank, an implement shop, a shoe repair shop, a harness shop, a barber, and a beauty shop. Travel troupes and local residents used the upper floor for stage and theatrical productions. The Deseret Evening News reported on January 12, 1895, that a play called “The Social Class” had been performed by the Riverton Dramatic Association, and was a “great success.”

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Small photo courtesy of the Nokes Family. Large photo used by permission, Utah State Historical Society.

COMMERCIAL BUILDING ~ Situated on the northeast corner of 12600 South and Redwood Road, the Commercial Building served the community as both a business center and recreational facility. Drama and community theater events were enjoyed by many, principally on the stage of the second floor. In later years the second floor was also used for roller skating. The building was condemned and razed in the fall of 1939. Courtesy of the Withers family. 36

BATES CORNER ~ On the southwest corner of Redwood and 12600 South stood the first store in Riverton. The store portion was in the front of the adobe building and the Bates family lived in the back portion. A dance hall was added on the west side of the property. Bates and his investors re-named the store the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pioneer Co-op.â&#x20AC;? Courtesy of the Berrett family.

PARRY IMPLEMENT COMPANY AND APPLIANCE STORE ~ This business was owned by Forest and Max Parry. In later years this location served as the Riverton Copy and Supply shop owned by the Darlingtons. Used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives. 37

PAGE-HANSEN CO. STORE ••• Established in 1891 by Thomas P. Page, this general merchandise store carried a large stock of groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, clothing, confectionery, and lumber. While Page served an LDS mission, the business was in the hands of his partner, Seth Pixton, and became the Page-Pixton Company. By 1913 John Hansen Jr. had become Page’s partner and the store was named Page-Hansen Co. Store. This business was progressive and prosperous. Customers were served by a large staff of efficient clerks who climbed tall ladders to retrieve requested goods. What had started as just a small business was, at the peak of its operation, regarded as the biggest retail department store in the valley outside of Salt Lake City.

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Image used by permission, Utah State Historical Society.

PAGE-HANSEN PLATE ~ (Top) This glass plate from the Page-Hansen Company is dated 1924. PAGE-HANSEN COMPANY STAFF ~ (Bottom) The directors and clerks of the Page-Hansen Company Store at a meeting in the early 1900s in Salt Lake City. Courtesy of the Page family. 38

PAGE-HANSEN COMPANY STORE ~ In 1891 Thomas P. Page established a general merchandise store at 12758 South Redwood Road. This photo is looking southwest on Redwood Road, with the Dome Church and Riverton School in the background. Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society.

PAGE-HANSEN STORE ~ This 1908 postcard shows the Page-Hansen Company Store, which had a reputation for being well stocked and employing efficient clerks. Later, the building housed a meat market, a radio repair shop, and appliance sales shop. Websterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hardware was located in the south part of the building from 1954 to 1975. For more than 100 years the Page-Hansen building sat in the heart of Riverton. It was demolished in 2001. Courtesy of the Page family.

CECIL O. POOR SHOE SHOP ~ This photo taken in 1915 shows the portion of the Page Hansen building where Mr. Poor operated his repair business. Courtesy of the Poor family.

POOR SHOE SHOP ~ Business card from the Cecil O. Poor Shoe Shop. Courtesy of the Poor family.

SALT LAKE & UTAH RAILROAD ••• Freight and passengers began using the “Orem Line” of the Salt Lake and Utah Railroad in March of 1913. This interurban train system provided service from Salt Lake City to American Fork, Utah. By 1916 the tracks were extended to Payson, Utah, with 20 station buildings constructed along the 64-mile line. The Riverton Station was located at approximately 1840 West and 12600 South in the downtown area of Riverton. According to Interurbans of Utah, by Ira Swett, “To encourage the public to ride the new interurban line, mileage books were introduced. Books containing tickets for 500 miles sold for $11.25, making the cost 2 1/2 cents per mile. The 1,000 mile books were $20.00, or 2 cents per mile. The books were also good on the Bamberger and Ogden Rapid Transit lines.” The popularity of automobiles and trucks dramatically reduced the use of the Salt Lake and Utah Railroad or the “Big Red Cars,” until it was shut down and dismantled in 1946. This Shipler photo was taken in 1922 near 13400 South and 2400 West. The tall red building (left) is the Alfalfa Feed Mill owned by the Riverton Livestock Company.

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Used by permission, Utah Historical Society.

RIVERTON TRAIN STATION ~ (Top) The Riverton Train Station was located at approximately 1840 West and 12600 South until the building was sold at auction in 1946.

TRAIN STATION TICKET CABINET ~ This 1900s tabletop railroad ticket cabinet with roll-down door was made by Pool Brothers Mfg. of Chicago. The cabinet was located in the Riverton Train Station of the Salt Lake and Utah Railroad. Courtesy of Riverton City.

TRAIN STATION ARTIFACTS ~ (Bottom) This photo shows the Riverton Train Station ticket cabinet and the hat and original rail passes for stationmaster Edwin “Les” Butterfield. Courtesy of Riverton City. 44

MODERN SALT CO. ~ This building, at 12625 South Redwood Road, was contructed constructed in approximately 1935. Vernal Webb sold Plymouth automobiles from this building. In later years it became Lloyds Auto Supplies and then a water softener company. Courtesy of Mel and Karen Bashore; used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives.

JORDAN VALLEY BANK ~ The Jordan Valley Bank operated from 1905 until 1932. Its first location was in the Page-Hansen Building. This building, at 12607 South Redwood Road, was completed in approximately 1923. The bank closed permanently during the great depression. Used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives.

ROL SAVE STORE ~ In 1937 Roland Page purchased the old Jordan Valley Bank building at 12607 South Redwood Road and operated the “Rol Save” or “Rollies” store until 1976. Used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives.

FASHION JEANERY ~ Fashion Jeanery moved into the Jordan Valley Bank building after the Rol Save closed. Used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives.

CRANE BUILDING ~ The Crane and Freeman families built this commercial building at 12662 South Redwood Road. In approximately 1920–1921. Riverton Motor and Butterfield Ford both began business operations in this building. At one time the Princess Theater operated on the north side of the building with a central door entrance on the east side. Most residents called it simply the “Show House.” Movie tickets in 1926 were 15 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. Courtesy of Mel and Karen Bashore and the Withers family.

BANK BOX ~ This bank box and other similar “Lock Boxes” were located inside the vault at the Jordan Valley Bank building on 12607 South Redwood Road. Courtesy of the Silcox and Catron families.

WALKER BANK ~ The Walker Bank building located at 1750 West 12600 South was built in 1958 and has been remodeled several times. Banks operating at this location have included Walker, First Interstate, and Wells Fargo. Courtesy of the Withers family.

RIVERTON DOWNTOWN, APPROX. 1920 ~ (Pages 50â&#x20AC;&#x201C;51) Looking south on Redwood Road near 12700 South, the Riverton Implement Store was on the right, followed by the Page-Hansen building and Dome Church. On the left was the Riverton Motor Company and the Riverton Lunch Room. Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society.

BILLS MARKET ~ George Bills had a meat market in this building at 12617 South Redwood Road for several years. In the early 1930s the business changed owners from Mr. Bills to F. E. Seal, who operated an IGA market with meats and vegetables here. Many businesses have occupied this building after the IGA closed. Used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives.

F. E. SEAL AUTO SALES BUILDING ~ After F. E. Seal began his grocery business in the adjacent building to the north, he built this structure to house his auto sales office, at 12619 South Redwood Road. The building had multiple uses during its lifetime, including a veterinary clinic and a bicycle shop. Courtesy of Mel and Karen Bashore; and used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives.

RIVERTON LUNCH ROOM ~ Located at 12753–12755 South Redwood Road, the Riverton Lunch Room was built in approximately 1927. Proprietress Hattie Freeman’s menu featured homemade ice cream, soup, chili, and bakery goods. The cafe was open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Children liked to go there for penny candy. In the early years, meals could be purchased with small wooden tokens stamped Riverton Lunch Room. In 1949 Hattie turned the business over to her daughter, Vivian, and the Lunch Room became known as “Viv and Arches.” Used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives.

VIV AND ARCHES ~ Located at 12755 South Redwood Road, the south end of the Riverton Lunch Room had a separate entrance for its saloon customers. In the late 1960s the business was sold to George Padgett, who operated the entire business as a bar. The address was 12755 South Redwood Road. Used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives.

MOUNTAIN VIEW SHOWCASE ~ Located at 12758 South Redwood Road, this business occupied the north end of the Page-Hansen building. Used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives.

WEBSTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HARDWARE BUILDING ~ Morris Merrill had a lumber, hardware, and coal yard in this building at 12768 South Redwood Road. A large scale was in the yard to weigh coal for customers. After the coal business was phased out, new owners focused on lumber and hardware. The Webster family continued with lumber and hardware from 1954 until 1975, when they moved across the street to the east. Used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives.

PETERSON’S MEATS AT BINGHAM CANYON ~ This photo dated 1913 shows young Henry Bills and Lute Peterson delivering meat to a customer. Courtesy of the Peterson family.

PETERSON’S MARKET ~ Louis “Lute” Peterson was a butcher and livestock buyer for David Bills. He opened his first meat and grocery business in 1938 in the Page-Hansen building. In 1939 he purchased land at 12780 South Redwood Road and built his own store on this lot. Peterson’s Market has been part of the Riverton Community for more than seven decades. Courtesy of the Peterson family. 56

PRESCRIPTION DRUG STORE ~ This building, located at 12613 South Redwood Road, housed the offices of Dr. S.C.B. Sorenson on the upper level from 1922 to 1968. The Prescription Drug Store, commonly known as “Stringhams,” was on the main level. In later years an ice cream parlor was located here. Courtesy of Mel and Karen Bashore; used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives. 57

BROWN’S TAVERN ~ Facing north on 12600 South and 1669 West, this building was originally a barber shop built by James Henderson (before 1918), later Irving Hansen’s Dental Office, then a beer hall in the 1930s that was later known as Dino’s and then Jennie’s Bar. In this image you can see the northeast corner of the brick Jordan Valley Bank Building. Courtesy of Mel and Karen Bashore; used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives.

DAVID BILLS MEATS AND GROCERIES ~ This early 1900s photo shows the same store as below, approximately 40â&#x20AC;&#x201C;50 years earlier. Courtesy of the Peterson family.

DAVID BILLS MEATS AND GROCERIES ~ David and Lorena Bills ran a meat and grocery business at 1640 West and 12600 South. Courtesy of the Bills family.

RIVERTON POULTRY ASSOCIATION ~ The Riverton Poultry Association was organized on March 24, 1930, by five shareholders. Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society.

MORTENSEN APPLIANCE AND FURNITURE ~ In 1947 Paul Mortensen built this building to house his appliance and furniture business at 1670 West 12600 South, and the Mortensen family operated the business here for 56 years. The store closed in 2003 and the building was razed shortly thereafter. Courtesy of the Mortensen family.

RIVERTON MOTORS ~ Riverton Motor Company was established in 1920, operating initially in the south section of the Crane Building across the street. At first, it was a Ford dealership. This building at 12741 South Redwood Road was built in 1932. Used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives. 62

RIVERTON MOTORS ~ A look at the interior of Riverton Motors on February 1, 1937. Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society.

RIVERTON MOTORS ~ This interior photo, dated March 8, 1937 of the Riverton Motor Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parts department, shows the organized displays and auto accessories department after renovations were completed. Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society.

HUSKEY GAS STATION ~ (Above) Located near 1625 West and 12600 South, this gas station was built by the Mortensen family. Later it became the Husky Service Gas Station. Used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives. PETERSON’S-PAGE’S~ (Below) At 12780 South Redwood Road, the Page family leased this building from the Peterson’s for a five-year period under the name Page’s. Courtesy of Riverton Historical Society. 65

LLOYD’S REPAIR SHOP ~ Located near 2767 West and 12600 South, this Conoco gas station was owned by Wes Lloyd. Courtesy of Riverton Historical Society.

KEELEY ICE CREAM KEEP ~ This wooden ice cream keep was located in the Page-Hansen Company Store. This method of keeping ice cream was used prior to refrigeration by placing a block of ice inside the keep. A separate container of ice cream was placed on top of the block of ice. Keeley Ice Cream Company was located in Salt Lake City. 66

BARBER CHAIR ~ This barber chair was used by Riverton barber shop owner/operator Niels Madsen and his son Orville. Courtesy of the Kafer family.

BECKSTEADâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CONOCO ~ Located on the northeast corner of 12600 South and Redwood Road, this station was operated by Leonard Beckstead. Courtesy of Riverton Historical Society.

RIVERTON POULTRY ASSOCIATION ~ The Riverton Poultry Association, in connection with the Utah Poultry Producers Co-operative Association, was organized in 1930. The number of chicks brooded in the first year was 118,700. Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society. 67

C HE S R U H C

THE OLD DOME CHURCH ••• In 1898, Riverton Latter-day Saint Church members formed a committee and developed plans for the construction of a new meetinghouse on the west side of 12800 South and Redwood Road. Land was donated by Thomas P. Page, and work commenced at the site in the fall of 1898. Richard Kletting was selected as architect of the Romanesque-style building. Kletting had also designed the recently completed Saltair Pavilion. Journal entries and individual accounts indicate that the entire community helped to complete the iconic structure, which was commonly referred to as the “Old Dome Church.” Difficult economic years and drought postponed its completion, but after 10 years of construction, church services were held at the Dome Church in September of 1908. The building was dedicated in December 1920. Built from red brick and stone, the Dome Church was 67 x 81 feet in size, 85 feet from the foundation, and faced east. The curved exterior cement stairs provided a grand entrance to the chapel level, where general church meetings were held. Stained glass windows decorated the edifice. An auditorium, a gallery, and five classrooms were located on the lower level. The seating capacity was estimated at 1000 people. A grove of shade trees was planted on the north side of the property. A baseball field, grandstand, and rodeo grounds were located behind the church and on the west side of the property. In 1908 the Deseret Evening News proclaimed the Dome Church to be “one of the finest ward meeting houses in the Church.” The building and surrounding property served as a church and community center for several decades. However, the exterior stairs proved to be awkward and the structure was difficult to heat and maintain. In 1937 an article in the Ute Sentinel declared, “Historic Riverton Chapel to Be Razed.” Demolition began in November of 1939 and was completed shortly after. The Dome Church organ, several stained glass windows, blueprints, and other artifacts have been graciously donated to Riverton City by families who guarded these treasures for many years. These pieces are permanently housed at the Old Dome Meeting Hall, located in the Riverton City Main Park.

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Image used by permission, Utah State Historical Society.

DOME CHURCH BLUEPRINT ~ (Facing page) This original blueprint of the Dome Church was dated May 20, 1899. Many local residents aided in the construction and completion of this building, sacrificing time, money, and labor towards its completion. In his handwritten journal, Carl Madsen Bradt states he was “apointet” (appointed) to be the “Superintend” (Superintendent) of the church house project. Courtesy of the Madsen family.

DESERET EVENING NEWS ~ (This page) The Deseret Evening News ran this drawing and caption describing Riverton’s Dome Church on June 17, 1899. Courtesy of J. Willard Marriott Library, Special Collections.

DOME CHURCH ~ This 1910 postcard shows the recently completed Dome Church, which took almost 10 years to build. Courtesy of the Page family.

RIVERTON SECOND WARD ~ The Riverton Second Ward building was completed in 1929 at a cost of $55,000. The basement was hand excavated using a horse-drawn “Fresno Scraper.” This building is located at 12533 South Redwood Road. Used by Permission, Salt Lake County Archives.

TITHING YARD HILL ••• Tithing Yard Hill operated from 1886 to 1913. It was located at 12400 South 1150 West on land purchased from Samuel L. Howard. A large barn, an office building, and a small granary building stood on the bench land, while the pasture area and cattle yards sloped downward toward the Jordan River. For 27 years Latter-day Saint church members would bring their tithing in the form of produce, livestock, poultry, grains, and other farmgrown “increase” to this collection area. Before Tithing Yard Hill was established, the residents of Riverton and the surrounding communities would take their tithing offerings to Salt Lake City. The old barn stood until approximately 2000 when it was razed.

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Photo courtesy of the Leavitt family.

GRANARY BUILDING AT TITHING YARD HILL ~ Before the establishment of Tithing Yard Hill, LDS residents of Riverton and the surrounding communities would take their tithing offerings to Salt Lake City. In 1880 it took an average of six hours by horse drawn wagon to get from Riverton to downtown Salt Lake

RIVERTON SECOND WARD ~ This LDS meeting house photo was taken inside the second ward building during a special military program honoring the Riverton soldiers who died during World War II. Courtesy of the Withers and Jensen families.

RIVERTON FIRST WARD ~ Located at 12888 South Redwood Road, this building held its first services in February of 1947. Some of the bricks from the razed Dome Church were used in the foundation of this building. Used by permission, Salt Lake County Archives. 80

MORTENSEN BIBLE ~ Printed books were treasured possessions for early settlers and farmers. This family Bible, watch and photo belonged to the Mortensen family of Riverton. Courtesy of the Mortensen Family.

SACRAMENT ARTIFACTS ~ These sacrament items were used in the Dome Church. The inscription reads: Presented to The Riverton Ward by The Relief Society Y.M. and Y.L.M.I.A. Oct. 16, 1910 Image courtesy of the Riverton Utah Stake. 81

STAINED GLASS WINDOW ~ This stained glass window came from the First and Third Ward LDS Chapel at 12888 South Redwood Road. Courtesy of Riverton City.

PACKARD CHAPEL ORGAN ~ This chapel organ was manufactured in 1907 at the Packard Organ Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Riverton LDS First Ward purchased it at a cost of $250.00. The organ was housed in the Dome Church and was equipped with the largest set of reeds that Packard put into a manual church organ. This organ has been restored and resides permanently in the â&#x20AC;&#x153; Old Dome Meeting Hallâ&#x20AC;? at the Riverton City Main Park. Courtesy of Riverton City. 82

STAINED GLASS ~ One of two original stained glass windows from the Dome Church that were gifted to Riverton City in 2014. They reside in the Old Dome Meeting Hall in the Riverton City Main Park. Courtesy of the Brown family. 83

MUN ITY M O C

PARADE WAGON ~ Riverton residents celebrated the July 4th and 24th holidays with parades on Redwood Road. Courtesy of the Butterfield family. 86

HORSE PULL ~ These Riverton farmers are competing for the honor of strongest work horse. Courtesy of the Riverton Historical Society.

SUGAR HOUSE PRISONERS ~ In October 1888 Riverton resident Charles M. Nokes (standing second from right) served 115 days in the Utah Territorial Prison, located in Sugar House, for his practice of polygamy. During his imprisonment, Nokes learned how to work yarn with his hands to create gifts for his family. Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society. 87

PRACTICING FOR A PLAY ~ Community theater and stage productions were always well attended in Riverton. This photo from the scrapbook of Riverton Junior High teacher Alta Crane shows the cast preparing for an upcoming play. Courtesy of the Crane family.

1930s QUILTING ~ Ladies from the Riverton LDS First Ward display their recently completed quilts on the stage of the Dome Church. Courtesy of the Nokes family.

TRUNK AND PHOTO ~ Nicholas T. Silcock arrived in Riverton with his family in 1865. Courtesy of the Silcox family.

PARTY PHOTO ~ (Top) This photo shows the attendees of a 1925 childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday party for Evelyn B. Dreyer. Courtesy of the Page family. FIREPLACE COVER ~ (Bottom) This 1890s cast-iron fireplace cover came from the Hansen family residence in Riverton. Courtesy of the Withers family.

INTERSCHOLASTIC RACE ~ This interscholastic track and field event took place on Redwood Road in the early 1900s. This photo, with the 1909 Riverton School house in the background, was labeled “440 yard dash.” Courtesy of the Butterfield family.

BALLPARK AND GRANDSTAND ~ This early-1900s photo of a Riverton baseball game was taken on the property located behind the Dome Church and the elementary school. Courtesy of the Page family.

RIVERTON BASEBALL ~ With the 1892 (right) and 1909 (left) schoolhouses in the background, the Riverton baseball team poses for a photo about 1911â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1912. Courtesy of the Page family.

BASEBALL BOYS ~ The 1912 Riverton boys baseball team. Courtesy of the Turner family.

WATER ACTIVITIES ~ In his “History of Riverton,” Joseph Morgan mentions “folks of all ages, both male and female” recreating on the canals and the ponds in Riverton. One pond, located east of Redwood and 13400 South, was supplied by a small spring and provided year-round enjoyment for all ages: swimming, skating, and hockey. Most of these activities lasted into the wee hours of the morning and usually included a bonfire. Fishing from the Jordan River was common practice in the early days. Carp and sucker fish were available in great quantities. This wicker fishing creel was used to tote supplies and fish caught on the Jordan River in Riverton. Courtesy of the Page family.

RIVERTON SWIMMERS ~ Riverton friends at the Great Salt Lake for a summer day of fun and frivolity, about 1909. Courtesy of the Butterfield family.

1938 TRAIN CRASH ~ Early on a snowy December 1, 1938, tragedy struck the south Salt Lake Valley when a Jordan District school bus filled with 38 students collided with a Denver and Rio Grande freight train. Twenty-four victims, nine of whom were Riverton residents, were laid to rest in Bluffdale, Riverton, and South Jordan cemeteries. Courtesy of Riverton City. 97

HORSE AND BUGGY ~ This photo, dated 1915, shows a courting couple out for a buggy ride on a Riverton dirt road. The first paved roads came to Riverton in 1920. Courtesy of the Dansie family.

RIVERTON ROUGH RIDERS ~ This photo taken in July 1962 shows the Riverton Rough Riders’ entry in the Days of ’47 Parade in downtown Salt Lake City. Courtesy of the Withers family.

RIVERTON ROUGH RIDERS ~ This vest, bridle, tack, and saddle blanket are original Riverton Rough Riders equipment. Courtesy of the Brown family. 99

SCHOOLS

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FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE ••• In 1879 Salt Lake County established the Riverton Precinct, allowing the 44th school district to be organized. Three trustees, Thomas Silcock, Charles E. Miller, and Joseph Draper, were charged with funding and building a school in Riverton. As representatives of a private, essentially Mormon school, these men were also asked to recruit students and collect their tuition, which was used to pay for the teacher, supplies, and the schoolhouse itself. The schoolhouse, as the first public building in Riverton, was also the community’s first church and social hall. On May 26, 1879, Alexander Henderson sold a one-acre parcel of land to the trustees of the 44th school district for ten dollars. During the fall and winter of 1879, construction was in full swing to build and complete the schoolhouse. An adobe brickyard on site provided most of the bricks needed. Funds were collected from nearby residents and the building was finished by 1880. Classes were held for the first time on January 12, 1880. By 1888 the community had outgrown the meetinghouse. A 36 foot by 18 foot addition to the building that year gave it a distinct t-shape, and more than doubled the size of the eight-year old building. The 1888 addition stands today, being part of the home at 13115 South 1300 West.

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Courtesy of Riverton Legacy Home, 1880-2012, by Legacy Books®

1890 SCHOOLHOUSE, ARTIST RENDERING ~ (Top) By artist Larry Winborg, this image captures what the schoolhouse lot may have looked like in 1890, just a few years after the schoolhouse was expanded. ORIGINAL SCHOOLHOUSE ~ (Bottom) The earliest known image of Riverton’s first schoolhouse shows the original adobe brick construction at right, and the 1888 addition connecting to it, seen at back left. 102

FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE ~ Located at 13115 South 1300 West, this brick school and church meetinghouse served the community from 1880 to 1910, when it was sold to the Wiberg family. More than 12,000 handmade adobe bricks were used in its construction. The original building, seen here with a second addition and Wiberg family add-ons, was a one-room, 20-foot-by-30-foot structure. Courtesy of the Wiberg family.

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SECOND SCHOOLHOUSE ~ This schoolhouse, located at 12830 South Redwood Road, was a two-story brick building with four classrooms, two grades to each room. The building was completed in December 1892. It was demolished in 1926 and was replaced with a Junior High building. Courtesy of the Dansie family. 104

RIVERTON GRADE IV ~ This image shows the Fourth Grade Class of 1909–1910. Courtesy of the Catron family.

RIVERTON JUNIOR HIGH BAND ~ The Riverton Junior High Class of 1922–1923 posed for a photo while practicing for a performance of “Wanita.” Courtesy of the Nokes family. 105

SECOND SCHOOLHOUSE ~ This two-story brick schoolhouse was completed in December 1892 at a cost of $5,000. By 1898 there were almost 200 children attending school in this building. Courtesy of the Dansie family. 106

SECOND GRADE ~ Lucy McComb was the teacher of this Riverton Second Grade Class in 1927. Courtesy of the Page and Butterfield families.

RIVERTON SCHOOL STUDENTS ~ This photo of Riverton School fourth grade students, with Mildred Densley as their teacher, was taken 1910. Used by permission, Utah State Historical Society. 107

THIRD SCHOOLHOUSE ••• Overcrowding in the school became a major concern again in 1907. Residents told the school board that congested conditions existed in the Riverton School. The average student-to-teacher ratio was larger than that of any other school in the area. Additional classrooms were established in the Commercial Building and a small 14x20-foot room in the LDS church house. A year later the board proposed that an addition be made to the schoolhouse, but the idea was rejected by Riverton parents. School patrons preferred to have a completely new building. Construction was completed in May of 1909 at a cost of $20,000. The new eight-room building stood just north of the existing four-room schoolhouse at 12830 South Redwood Road.

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Text from Riverton: The Story of a Utah Country Town, by Bashore and Crump. Photo at left used by permission, Utah State Historical Society.

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JORDAN SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BUS ~ This 1927â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1928 Jordan School District bus was a familiar site in Riverton where most students lived on farms. Courtesy of the Dansie Family.

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RIVERTON JUNIOR HIGH BAND ~ An article in the Salt Lake Tribune dated March 10, 1948, stated that more than $1,800 had been raised through community projects and fund raisers to purchase new band uniforms for Riverton Junior High. Students in this 1949 photo proudly exhibit the newly purchased uniforms. Courtesy of Riverton City.

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RIVERTON JUNIOR HIGH BAND, 1937 ~ This 1937 photo of the junior high band taken during the Great Depression years shows community participation and support for music curriculum. Courtesy of the Page family.

RIVERTON JUNIOR HIGH BAND, 1950s ~ This 1950s band picture shows the new uniforms and “Buffalo” mascot adopted by the junior high students. Courtesy of Riverton City. 112

FOURTH & FIFTH SCHOOLHOUSES ~ In 1921, Utah law required all children under the age of 18 to attend school. As a result, the Riverton schoolhouse became severely overcrowded and additional space was needed. The 1892 four-room building was razed in 1926, and a new junior high building was erected on the same site. During construction on the junior high building, a fire broke out in the eight-room 1909 elementary building to the north, destroying it completely. The benefit of this disaster was that the residents of Riverton were able to quickly remove the debris and a new elementary school was built on the same footprint. The two new buildings were dedicated on February 27, 1927. A two-story addition to the west completed the complex in 1930. The addition added a gymnasium, wood shops, and a cafeteria. In 1958 the junior high students were sent to the West Jordan area and both buildings were used as an elementary school. For 102 years countless children attended the Riverton School on the property of 12830 South Redwood Road. In 1994â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1995 the school was closed and sold to Riverton City to house its city offices. (See Riverton: The Story of a Utah Country Town, Bashore and Crump.) 113

RIVERTON JUNIOR HIGH FACULTY AND STAFF ~ The 1938-1939 faculty and staff of Riverton Junior High in front of the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s building at 12830 South Redwood Road. Courtesy of the Jensen family.

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RIVERTON JUNIOR HIGH ~ This photo shows Riverton Junior High School students on the last school day of 1949. Courtesy of the Jensen Family.

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AFTER SCHOOL ~ After-school activities included stopping at Petersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Confectionery. Courtesy of the Jensen family.