3061 W 3500 S Joseph & Hazel Fairbourn

H Fairbourn

George Fairbourn (1888–1965): A Life of Labor, Legacy, and Love

In 1910, at just 21 years old, George Fairbourn began working at the Utah Copper Mine—later part of the Kennecott Copper Corporation. His employment card recorded him as an American of blue eyes, light hair, 160 pounds, and standing 5 feet 10 inches tall. He was single at the time and ready to contribute to one of Utah’s most significant industrial enterprises.

George’s roots in the Granger area ran deep. His father, Joseph Fairbourn, was a pioneering settler who built a blacksmith shop, a weigh station for local grain, and a small store at 3535 South 3200 West. That site served as a vital community hub during the early development of the Granger area.

George continued the family legacy of hard work and community contribution, raising his own family just a few blocks away at 3061 West 3500 South.

His wife, Hazel, was known not only for her beauty but also for her loving spirit. She was the granddaughter of Nellie Brown and Hyrum Coon, and her grandchildren affectionately called her “Mother Hazel,” often remarking that she didn’t look old enough to be a grandmother.

From the copper mines to the community roads of Granger, George Fairbourn’s life reflects the industrious and family-centered values that built West Valley’s foundation.