1847 to 2025 — A Legacy of Grit, Growth, and Community Spirit
Granger/Hunter: 1847 to 2025 — A Legacy of Grit, Growth, and Community Spirit
The history of Granger is a story of courage, sacrifice, and vision—of people who transformed a barren desert into a prosperous, thriving community. What began as a remote frontier outpost in the mid-1800s has grown into West Valley City, now the second-largest city in Utah, home to over 135,000 residents and spanning 22,880 acres.
From Desert to Farmland
Granger’s early days were marked by tremendous change. Settlers arriving in the late 1840s and 1850s saw only sagebrush, dust, and desolation. But through grit and determination, they carved out a community of golden grain fields, green meadows, gardens, and orchards. The harsh desert gave way to rich agriculture through irrigation, teamwork, and faith.
Building a Town, Business by Business
In the late 19th century, William Monroe built the area’s first store, an adobe structure near 3200 West and 3300 South. Monroe also carried mail between Granger and Salt Lake City using a horse-drawn cart for 13 years—a vital service in the settlement’s early days.
Other businesses followed: mills, blacksmith shops, railroads, and general stores. Two of the most enduring establishments were:
Granger Market, at 2000 West and 3500 South, founded in 1917 by Chris Anast and later expanded by his son, George Anast, who became known as “Granger’s oldest businessman.”
Fairbourne Corner, at 3200 West and 3500 South, which began as a blacksmith shop built by Joseph Fairbourne around 1883. Over the decades, it evolved into a post office, general store, and service hub, remaining in the Fairbourne family.
A Boom in Construction and Population
By the 1940s, Granger's pastoral charm was steadily giving way to homes, streets, and industry. From just two subdivisions in 1948, the area exploded to over 125 subdivisions by the 1960s. The construction industry became the region’s largest economic engine, and the landscape filled with new homes, businesses, and public institutions.
As of the 1960s, Granger had:
More than 200 businesses
Four major shopping centers
Three banks
A post office, fire station, and sheriff’s substation
One general hospital and a medical center
Three junior high schools, seven elementary schools, and one high school
Churches of various denominations
A convalescent home, a humane society, and multiple community parks
Granger-Hunter Improvement District
The Granger-Hunter Improvement District, founded in 1955 at 3146 West 3500 South, played a pivotal role in supporting growth by managing water and sewer infrastructure. Under the leadership of its first board chairman, Estel L. Wright, and later O. Thayne Acord, the district documented astounding residential growth:
865 new utility connections in 1963
819 in 1964
An estimated 600 in 1965
Civic Cooperation and Community Pride
Granger’s coordinated growth efforts were spearheaded by the Granger-Hunter Community Council, formed in 1961. The 15-member council included representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce), Lions Clubs, and the general public.
Key leaders included:
Ivan Woodbury, Council Chairman
J. Leonard Harman, Chamber President
George Lanphere, Jaycees President
This cooperative spirit, first brought by the settlers in the 1840s, continued to define Granger’s community-driven development.
Granger Today: 2025 and Beyond
Now part of West Valley City, the once-agrarian community has blossomed into a bustling urban center. With:
A diverse population of over 135,000
Dozens of elementary, junior high, and high schools
A booming business sector, including major retailers, car dealerships, restaurants, movie theaters, hospitals, recreation centers, and light industrial zones
West Valley City, including Granger, now leads the state in innovation, community programming, and cultural diversity. The vision of those early pioneers—bringing life to a desert—has culminated in a dynamic city that still values faith, family, service, and growth.