A Letter From Your History Gatherer
Gathering the Pieces of Our Past
Celebrating the Heart and History of West Valley City
(formerly Granger, Hunter, and Chesterfield, Utah)
Wide open spaces once stretched in every direction, with irrigation ditches running alongside rows of wild asparagus. Crickets chirped in the summer air, and the lowing of cows carried from a neighbor’s farm. We rode our bikes on dusty dirt tracks, always carrying a shovel to build the next epic jump. Baseball games filled the corner fields, coached by someone’s dad, and big wins were celebrated at the Burger Chalet after taking region.
On hot summer days, we climbed the towering rocket at Granger Park, then cooled off at the city pool with our Lifetime swim passes. A big shake and Kay-Sa-De-A at Scotts or maybe Root beer floats at the Frostop and Prince Burgers were childhood staples—though the debate over who had the best root beer, Frostop, A&W or Ab’s, still continues. A quarter at the corner store bought a bag full of candy, and we were certain life couldn’t possibly get better.
We camped out in backyards, lulled to sleep by distant train whistles. Shopping trips took us to Market Street, where store clerks greeted us by name and everything we needed was just a few steps away. The Lion’s Club pancake breakfasts brought neighbors together, and buying a broom or a calendar with all the neighbors birthdays printed in it meant supporting the building of a park for the kids of.
Evenings were often spent helping raise a new place of worship, while weekends brought parades down 3500 South, where everyone waved, cheered, and belonged. We saw Dr. Wilson when we were sick, and the VanOrden Drug Bug delivered medicine right to our door. After the hunt, families took their deer to Hunsaker’s for cutting and wrapping, then stored the meat in Al Warr’s freezers.
We met friends at the Valley Vu or Redwood Drive-In, played pool at Plaza, skated at S&M, and bowled at Delton’s. Special nights out might be at the Oaken Bucket where Karen Barton welcomed you and Mrs Almond played the piano live, or maybe Francesco’s, famous for its pizza and lasagna. We watched drag races on 3200 West, and sometimes caught a flight from the little airport on 2100 South. We thought it was the coolest thing that Kimbo the Clown taught at Granger High and secretly hoped to be picked for Romper Room or Fireman Frank’s show.
These moments—and countless others—are why we loved growing up in Granger, Hunter, and Chesterfield, and why we still cherish West Valley City today. This site is dedicated to preserving those memories and histories, so they will always be remembered and shared.
Love Always,
Your History Gatherer
Sheri Kimball Biesinger
Remember: Now is the time to gather history. Please send your stories, memories, and family histories so we can preserve them together. Every detail—whether a photograph, a clipping, or a personal memory—helps us build a fuller picture of our shared past. Let’s compile it all for the future, so generations to come will know and remember the people, places, and moments that shaped our community.
SheriBiesinger@gmail.com
A youth pioneer trek, 1980—remembering the sacrifice of those who came before.
Not glamorous, but unforgettable—our 1980 pioneer trek
In 1980, I joined a local pioneer trek to help youth experience the challenges our ancestors faced. Pulling handcarts, sleeping on the hard ground, and wearing long dresses under the hot sun was far from easy—thank heavens for the pioneer bonnet! Though it wasn’t a glamorous experience, it gave me a deep appreciation for the perseverance, sacrifice, and courage of those who settled this valley.
