From Dry Farms to Thriving Settlement: Early Pioneers West of the Jordan River
Settlement and Dry Farming in the Jordan River Valley, 1850–1879
The Jordan River, running from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake, carved a natural division through the Salt Lake Valley that deeply influenced early settlement patterns. While the river’s east side was blessed with numerous streams and fertile soil, the west side was a harsh, dry landscape that challenged the first settlers.
Joseph Harker was the earliest settler west of the Jordan River, arriving just one year after the Mormon pioneers settled the valley. Initially, he and others established farms near the river around what is now 3300 South. The following spring, seeking better access to irrigation, they moved south to the area near present-day 4800 South to divert water from the river.
Despite these efforts, widespread settlement on the “flats” — the higher, drier land west of the Jordan — didn’t occur until the 1870s. Before then, Salt Lake City residents owned large dry farms and grazing lands in this area, but the lack of reliable water and difficult terrain limited permanent residency.
A turning point came in 1874 with the completion of the Brighton Canal. This canal diverted water from the Jordan River near 4800 South, bringing much-needed irrigation to the flats. Although water delivery was often inconsistent, the canal enabled farmers to diversify beyond traditional dry grains and improve crop production.
By 1878, the Granger precinct was established, and settlers were beginning to dry farm in the Hunter area. Yet, in 1880, the population remained sparse — only 145 residents — reflecting the gradual transformation of this challenging landscape into productive farmland.
The Jordan River bisected the Salt Lake Valley, creating a natural division between fertile land east of the river and harsh, barren land to the west.
Early settlers east of the river benefited from mountain streams providing life-giving water.
Joseph Harker was the first settler west of the Jordan River, arriving one year after Mormon colonists settled the valley.
Initial settlement near the river was at present-day 3300 South, then moved to near 4800 South to better divert water from the river.
Early farms were located on low lands near the river; the higher “flats” above and west of the river were not settled until the 1870s.
Some Salt Lake City residents owned large dry farms or grazing lands west of the Jordan River before the 1870s but did not live there permanently due to harsh conditions.
Completion of the Brighton Canal in 1874 brought irrigation water from the Jordan River at present-day 4800 South through the flats west of the river.
The Brighton Canal was inconsistent in water delivery but allowed farmers to grow crops other than dry-farmed grains.
The precinct of Granger was established in 1878.
Settlers began dry farming in the Hunter area during this period.
By 1880, the population of the area was only 145, reflecting slow settlement due to water scarcity and harsh land conditions.
Throughout West Valley there are remnants of early outbuildings such as barns, granaries, or root cellars that were built with locally sourced timber or adobe. Though these simple agricultural structures have mostly vanished or were incorporated into newer buildings, they were once vital for storing grain, hay, and produce that early settlers grew on the dry farms west of the Jordan River.
Many original settlers made their own adobe bricks from the heavy clay soil found near the river bottoms — a technique brought west from the Mormon settlements in the Salt Lake Valley. Over time, as sawmills became more accessible, later homes began to feature milled lumber for framing and wood lap siding for weather protection.
While none of the first log cabins or dugouts remain visible, the families who built them laid the groundwork for the community networks that would evolve into Granger and Hunter precincts. These pioneer families held cooperative barn raisings and ditch-digging projects to improve irrigation and farming. Community meeting places were often just large rooms within homes, where early church meetings and neighborhood gatherings were held long before dedicated chapels or schools were constructed.
Despite modern coverings such as stucco, aluminum, or vinyl siding, some homes may still contain original adobe walls or hand-hewn beams behind the newer materials — a hidden testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of the first families to settle the “flats” west of the Jordan River.