Farmington balances future with past
Farmington balances future with past BY BOB MICKELSON Clipper Staff Writer FARMINGTON — Squeezed between the towering Wasatch Mountains and the broad expanse of the Great Salt Lake, on a narrow strip of usable land, Farmington City lies almost exactly halfway between Salt Lake City and Ogden. Despite the obvious agrarian reference in its name, not much farming goes on in Farmington these days, unless one counts the many massive subdivisions sprouting in once open fields on the city’s west side. Actually, Farmington was not the city’s first name. Initially it was called North Cottonwood, after the trees lining a stream flowing out of a mountain canyon. Soon after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake valley in 1847, Heber C. Haight traveled north beyond the hot springs to graze cattle. He built a log cabin and settled in with his family. Others followed. In 1852, legislative acts provided for the organization of Davis County. Two years later, the first county
Early businesses in Farmington catered to the main way of life there — farming. courthouse in Utah, constructed of adobe, opened its doors in the city. Public building continued over the next century-and-a-half. Three more courthouses have been followed, four if one counts the new Justice Complex on West State Street. Nearby is the expanding county jail
and, just to the west, the County FairPark. Most recently, a new Community Arts Building has joined the list of city facilities. The city’s name was changed to Farmington in 1882 and it was incorporated with a population of 1,180. By 1960 that number had increased to 4,700 and in the next 12 years to population doubled. Today, the city claims nearly 14,000 residents. Well known for its tree-lined streets and visual charm, Farmington’s geographical limitations may help resist
Davis County FairPark, located in Farmington, provides a home for rodeos and other events.
12 Clipper 115th Anniversary
growth’s impact on its small town flavor, at least for a time. Yet its history, as one description puts it, remains “as solid as the rock used in the construction of many of its pioneer homes.” Today, Farmington rock, the legacy of destructive floods in 1923 and 1930, is used as a distinctive architectural element in major buildings.And flooding remains a major concern. The 1983 Rudd Creek flood damaged or destroyed dozens of homes on the city’s east side. For most of its first hundred years, Farmington lived up to its name, its farmers raising alfalfa, grain and livestock. Mills were established along the streams running down from the mountains. Many of these efforts were conducted at the behest of Mormon leaders, who also spurred the construction of a rock meetinghouse in 1862-64. One of the oldest still in use in Utah, it was home to the first Latterday Saint Primary organization in 1878. Because of its location on such a narrow corridor of land, Farmington has long been influenced by major transportation routes. That included the Salt Lake and Ogden Railroad, better known as the Bamberger Line.
Davis County Clipper
Early businesses in Farmington catered to the main way of life there — farming. courthouse in Utah, constructed of adobe, opened its doors in the city. Public building continued over the next century-and-a-half. Three more courthouses have been followed, four if one counts the new Justice Complex on West State Street. Nearby is the expanding county jail
and, just to the west, the County FairPark. Most recently, a new Community Arts Building has joined the list of city facilities. The city’s name was changed to Farmington in 1882 and it was incorporated with a population of 1,180. By 1960 that number had increased to 4,700 and in the next 12 years to population doubled. Today, the city claims nearly 14,000 residents. Well known for its tree-lined streets and visual charm, Farmington’s geographical limitations may help resist
Davis County FairPark, located in Farmington, provides a home for rodeos and other events.
12 Clipper 115th Anniversary
growth’s impact on its small town flavor, at least for a time. Yet its history, as one description puts it, remains “as solid as the rock used in the construction of many of its pioneer homes.” Today, Farmington rock, the legacy of destructive floods in 1923 and 1930, is used as a distinctive architectural element in major buildings.And flooding remains a major concern. The 1983 Rudd Creek flood damaged or destroyed dozens of homes on the city’s east side. For most of its first hundred years, Farmington lived up to its name, its farmers raising alfalfa, grain and livestock. Mills were established along the streams running down from the mountains. Many of these efforts were conducted at the behest of Mormon leaders, who also spurred the construction of a rock meetinghouse in 1862-64. One of the oldest still in use in Utah, it was home to the first Latterday Saint Primary organization in 1878. Because of its location on such a narrow corridor of land, Farmington has long been influenced by major transportation routes. That included the Salt Lake and Ogden Railroad, better known as the Bamberger Line.
Davis County Clipper
