George Holmberg: The Man Who Tried—and Succeeded—in Making a Difference
George Holmberg (1879–1948): A Man Who Tried—and Succeeded—in Making a Difference
George Holmberg was a man who believed that hard work, civic duty, and courage could improve his community—and he proved it throughout his life. A prominent Republican Party worker, Salt Lake County road supervisor, and general contractor, Holmberg helped shape the physical and political landscape of early 20th-century Salt Lake County, including the Granger area that would one day become part of West Valley City.
In 1907, George married Ethel Shafer, daughter of Orson and Elizabeth Shafer, well-known early Granger residents. The couple lived in Granger for a time, where George farmed and became deeply involved in community affairs. His connection to the Shafer family placed him among the early residents who worked the land and built the foundation of this growing rural district.
Early in his career, Holmberg was drawn to the opportunities of Utah’s mining industry. He helped develop several mines in Utah and Nevada, including the Tannic Standard, and assisted in the construction of both the Murray steel smelter and the Magna Mills for the Kennecott Copper Corporation—key landmarks in Utah’s industrial growth. He was also a charter member of the Structural Steelworkers Union, showing his lifelong commitment to improving conditions for working people.
In 1906, before his marriage, Holmberg made local headlines when he filed a $28,830 lawsuit against the United States Smelting Company, claiming damages to his Granger farm crops and livestock caused by smelter smoke. He wasn’t alone—neighbors Edwin Decker and Smith Parker joined him in the suit. Together, they demanded compensation totaling nearly $30,000 for losses suffered over four years. Though the case was ultimately dismissed, Holmberg’s effort reflected his early stand for cleaner air and fair treatment for local farmers—an issue decades ahead of its time.
By 1915, Holmberg was serving as Salt Lake County Road Supervisor, overseeing major public works such as the paving of State Street between Salt Lake City and Murray, and construction of new routes along Fourteenth South. In 1916, he addressed residents meeting in Granger, discussing needed road and infrastructure improvements for the district. His passion for public works continued for decades.
In 1926, Holmberg ran for Salt Lake County Sheriff on the Republican ticket. A former Federal Prohibition Agent, he campaigned on a platform of modernizing local traffic systems and improving public safety. He proposed the Redwood Road extension, connecting it to South Eighth West to relieve congestion along State Street, providing a safer route for travelers from Bingham, Granger, Magna, Garfield, and Tooele.
Holmberg also urged for bicycle safety laws, suggesting that bikes be equipped with head and tail lights and permitted to use designated sidewalks—a progressive and forward-thinking idea for 1926.
George Holmberg passed away in 1948, remembered as a man who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Utah residents through infrastructure, public service, and courage. Whether standing up to industry on behalf of farmers or designing roads that connected distant communities, Holmberg truly was a man who tried—and succeeded—in making a difference.
