Marking History: The 1999 West Valley City Entrance Monument
West Valley City Monument & Time Capsule (1999)
In 1999, West Valley City celebrated the unveiling of a new city entrance monument with a ceremony that also included the burial of a time capsule. The event took place on Thursday, September 30, 1999, at 5 p.m., and began with a flag ceremony performed by Troop 774. Mayor Gerald Wright, city manager John Patterson, city council members, and the West Valley City Fire Department were all in attendance, marking the occasion as a proud civic milestone.
The time capsule, sealed and buried at the foot of the newly completed “Welcome to West Valley City” marker near 2300 South and Bangerter Highway, was created to preserve significant events in the city’s history. Items included references to the creation of the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City and the opening of the new West Valley City Fitness Center, ensuring that future generations could look back on the city’s cultural and recreational growth at the turn of the century.
The monument itself was a project of two Eagle Scouts from Troop 774—Mike Lang and Doug Honsvick—who each selected prominent locations for city entrance markers. Lang’s was placed at the gateway near 2300 South and Bangerter Highway, while Honsvick’s was set at 3900 South and 1170 West. Both projects became highly visible symbols of community pride and service.
“This monument is one of the best achievements ever to happen in this city,” said Councilman Russ Brooks, noting the support from local families, city leadership, and youth organizations. Mayor Wright added, “These two ambitious young men represent the leadership of the future. They both did a quality job that I am very proud of. The youth are very involved in this city. We are focused on families.”
The same council session also included discussion of the newly planned Valley Vu Villas, a senior housing project where 80 percent of residents would be age 55 or older—further evidence that West Valley City was growing and adapting to the needs of all generations.
Together, the 1999 monument, time capsule, and community projects reflected the city’s dedication to honoring its past, strengthening its present, and preparing for the future.
