West Granger (59th District) & Monroe School
“Down Life’s Road Together” — A Century of Schooldays at 4000 West and 3500 South
The northwest corner of 4000 West and 3500 South in West Valley City might appear today as just another busy intersection—anchored by the modern gleam of Salt Lake Valley Chevrolet. But for those who grew up in Granger before it became West Valley, that ground holds something sacred: the memory of two beloved rural schools that shaped generations of students, families, and community spirit.
From 1882 to 1977, this single plot of land served as the heart of local education and community gathering—home first to the humble 59th District School, then later to the proud Monroe School.
The 59th District School: Beginnings in Simplicity
The 59th District School, sometimes called West Granger School, was built in 1903. This stately two-story red-brick structure—with its belfry rising high above the fields—rang out across the farmlands each morning, calling children from surrounding homesteads to gather for learning. It served students from beginners through eighth grade.
Before Monroe was constructed, the old school faced overcrowding, with students packed into classrooms heated only by two coal-burning potbelly stoves—one on each floor. There was no indoor plumbing. Students and teachers used outhouses north of the building, and boys hauled coal from the dark basement to keep the fires burning.
Despite these challenges, the building was a cherished fixture in the lives of early Granger residents. When it was finally demolished in 1924, it left behind not just a footprint in the dirt—but an imprint on countless hearts.
Monroe School: Growth and Legacy
By 1909, a new school was needed to accommodate the area's rapid growth. Just to the west of the 59th School, Monroe School was born—its first section constructed at a cost of $6,211. Over time, it expanded with additions in 1919 and 1924. A library was added in 1938 as part of a $22,750 Public Works Administration (PWA) project, making it one of the finest schools in the Granite School District.
Though it had steam heat, Monroe didn’t have indoor plumbing until the 1919 addition. But it soon became known for excellence—not only in academics, but also for community pride. Its students won spelling bees and field day races, like the legendary Miriam Latimer, the fastest runner in the district.
Monroe stood strong until 1977, when it was finally torn down—making way for commercial development. But its memory never faded.
- Sheri Biesinger
Submitted by Sandy Halladay