Granger and Hunter Farmers Shine at the Salt Lake County Fair

In the early decades of the 20th century, the Salt Lake County Fair was not only a place for families to gather and enjoy festivities—it was a proving ground for the region’s best livestock. For the dairy farmers of Granger and Hunter, it was an opportunity to showcase the pride of their herds: the Holstein cow.

One of the most memorable events came on May 19, 1931, during the second annual “Black-and-White Days” at the Murray fairgrounds. This celebration of Holsteins drew record crowds for the popular milking contest, where it was said that the cattle on display were in the best condition seen anywhere in the state.

A Sweep of Victories

Granger and Hunter farmers dominated the competition that year.

William Woodbury took 2nd place in aged bulls and 1st place in calves under six months.
Ben Eldridge claimed 1st place in cows under nine months, while Ray Eldridge earned 2nd place in aged cows and 1st place for cows two to three years. Florence Woodbury followed closely with 2nd place in that same class.
In the one to two year-old category, Marjorie Woodbury took 1st place, with Eliza Woodbury in 2nd.
Maxine Smith earned 3rd place in cows six months to one year.
In calves under six months, William Woodbury placed 1st, Ruth Woodbury 2nd, and Woodrow Smith 3rd.
When all entries were tallied, William Woodbury also took 2nd place overall, with Ben Eldridge in 3rd.

4-H Club Success

The younger generation proved equally skilled. In the 4-H competitions:

For cows over two years, Florence Woodbury won 1st place, with William Woodbury in 2nd.
In 18 months to two years, Maxine Smith took 1st, John Eldridge 2nd, and Hugo Smith 3rd.
In heifers 12–18 months, Marjorie Woodbury earned 1st place, with Elizabeth Woodbury in 2nd.
For calves 8–12 months, Ruth Woodbury was 1st, Woodrow Smith 2nd, and Dan Smith 3rd.
In calves under six months, Alice Paul won 1st and William Woodbury took 3rd.

The Milkmaid Contest

The highlight of the day for many spectators was the milkmaid competition. Each contestant drew lots to determine which cow they would milk, then had exactly ten minutes to complete the task. The milk was weighed immediately afterward. Florence Woodbury of Granger amazed the crowd by producing 7.2 pounds of milk in her turn. Both Florence and fellow Granger competitor Alice Paul received high praise for their skill and composure.

Leadership in Later Years

The fair’s impact reached beyond the ribbons and trophies. The experience fostered leadership among the area’s farmers, and by 1942, William Woodbury and Harrison Woodbury were chosen as directors for the Salt Lake County Fair—continuing the legacy of excellence and community pride.