Accident to Enterprise: The Story of Granger Sharpening Service

George Jorgensen (1912–1973)

A Life Rooted in Granger and a Business

Born from Necessity

Sometimes opportunity grows out of hardship, and that was the case for George Jorgensen, a lifelong Granger resident whose determination turned an accident into a thriving small business.

In 1959, George was working with a dull power saw when the blade slipped, costing him the end of his thumb. Rather than letting the injury slow him down, George made a firm decision: “I made up my mind then and there never to use a dull saw again!” That resolve marked the beginning of what would become the Granger Sharpening Service.

Starting humbly with a small sign on his fence and a makeshift workspace in his garage, George began sharpening tools for friends and neighbors. Word spread quickly, and before long his evenings and weekends were filled with orders. The little garage business grew steadily, fueled by George’s reputation for precision and reliability.

By 1959, the growth was such that George constructed a new building in front of his home on 37th South to properly house the expanding operation. The Granger Sharpening Service became a well-known fixture in the community—supporting farmers, tradesmen, and homeowners alike at a time when sharp, dependable tools were essential for daily life.

George was not only a businessman but also a man deeply connected to his roots. Born in 1912 to Waldemar and Mrs. Jorgensen, he lived most of his life in Granger, even residing next door to his parents. He attended the local Granger schools and remembered when the community was still mostly farmland with only one LDS ward serving the entire area. Over his lifetime, he witnessed—and contributed to—the transformation of Granger, Hunter, and Taylorsville from quiet farming districts into thriving residential neighborhoods.

George Jorgensen passed away in 1973, but his legacy remains a reminder of the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit that built West Valley City. His story is not only about sharpening saws and tools but about sharpening resolve, turning a setback into an opportunity that served his neighbors and strengthened his community.

2820 W 3500 S

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