The First 115 yrs of Growth
Granger’s Great Growth: From Dusty Trails to a Thriving Community
The story of Granger is one of grit, resilience, and unstoppable forward momentum. From its earliest days in 1847 to its vibrant standing in 1965, this once barren desert in the Salt Lake Valley was slowly—and lovingly—transformed by generations of determined settlers into a flourishing community that stood among the fastest-growing in the United States by the mid-20th century.
In its infancy, Granger was nothing but dry, dusty wilderness. But its pioneers—armed with little more than hand tools and hope—turned sand and sagebrush into golden fields of grain, lush meadows, fragrant orchards, and productive gardens. As the decades passed, this pioneer spirit evolved right alongside the land, adapting to each new wave of change.
Where once there were wagon tracks and adobe houses, by 1965 there were beautiful homes, modern subdivisions, light industry, and bustling shopping centers. The work of taming the wilderness had transitioned to the work of building schools, churches, parks, and modern conveniences for a booming population that had grown to about 25,000.
A milestone in Granger's progress was marked by the development of roads—transforming isolated farmland into an accessible hub of commerce and opportunity. This paved the way for the community’s first store, built in the late 1800s at 3300 South and 3200 West by William Monroe, who also delivered mail from 900 West by horse-drawn cart for 13 years.
Other businesses soon followed. Among the longest-standing was Granger Market at 2000 West and 3500 South, originally established in 1917 by Chris Anast. By 1965, his son George Anast, known as Granger’s oldest active businessman, had expanded the enterprise along the east-west corridor of 3500 South.
Equally iconic was the Fairbourne Corner at 3200 West and 3500 South. First built as a blacksmith shop in 1883 by Joseph Fairbourne, it became a foundational landmark of Granger commerce. Over the years it housed a number of businesses, including the community’s first post office, known then as Calder Station, all under the stewardship of the Fairbourne family.
By 1965, Granger's largest “industry” had arguably become home construction, driven by postwar growth and suburban demand. The area boasted over 200 businesses, including four major shopping centers, a dairy, banks, a post office, a fire station, and even its own hospital and convalescent home. The skyline was beginning to shift again as plans were laid for a massive new mall at 4000 West and 3500 South—a symbol of Granger’s ambition and rising commercial stature.
Supporting this growth was the Granger-Hunter Improvement District, founded in 1955 to manage water and sewer infrastructure. Its records provided the clearest window into just how rapidly the area was developing.
Churches, schools, banks, and parks emerged to serve the growing population: three junior highs, seven elementary schools, a high school, and ample green spaces helped anchor the sense of community.
From wilderness to a well-wired and well-watered suburb, the journey of Granger from 1847 to 1965 is a reflection of the broader Utah story—where faith, hard work, and vision turned arid land into thriving neighborhoods and vibrant cities.