Location:
Salt Lake County
111 East 300 South
Salt Lake City UT 84111
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: 40.762844
Longitude: -111.887718
Historical Significance:
In July of 1847, Utah’s pioneers arrived in the arid west from the east where rainfall supplied enough moisture for crops. One of their initial tasks was to divert water from the Salt Lake valley streams for irrigation use. Irrigation systems were the key to cultivating crops and surviving in the desert land. Dedicated July 31, 1931, by the Utah State Conference Daughters of the American Revolution, the tablet was placed within the half-acre of ground first plowed as identified by William Carter who held the plow.
The tablet was affixed to a pillar and dedicated 84 years after the event in the lobby of the Knudsen Hotel. At the time the facility was known as the Auerbach building and was occupied by Sears Roebuck Company. When the hotel was raised to make way for the Centre Theatre the tablet was placed on the left wall inside the entrance of the theatre and rededicated on January 5, 1938. The tablet is now in the form of a monument, located in front of the theatre.
Historical Designations:
- State: State Historical Commission
- Local: City Landmark
Historical Marker:
- Marker Date: 31 July 1931
- State of Marker Utah
- Marker Organization: Utah State Society Daughters of the American Revolution
- Marker Text:
Commemorating the beginning
in America of
MODERN IRRIGATION
in this vicinity
on July 23 and 24,1847
by the
Mormon Pioneers
“Encamped near the bank of a beautiful
creek of pure cold water. ** in about
two hours after our arrival we began
to plow and the same afternoon
built a dam to irrigate the soil.”
“July 24. *This fore noon commenced
planting our potatoes, after which we
turned the water upon the man gave
the ground quite a soaking.
“Orson Pratt thus records compliance
with the instructions of Brigham Young
who with the main company, arrived
about the time the irrigating began.
This tablet is within the half-acre
of ground first plowed, as identified
by William Carter who held the plow.
Placed by the Utah State Conference
Daughters of the American Revolution
July 23,1931.
“The wilderness and the solitary place
shall be glad for them. And the desert
shall rejoice and blossom as a rose.”
Isaiah35:1
(DAR Insignia)
Funding:
Currently maintained by Salt Lake City.
Maintenance of the grounds surrounding the monument are funded and beautifully kept by the Salt Lake City Parks and Recreation Department.
Physical Condition:
- Preserve
Tourism:
- Open to Public: Yes
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Hours/Days: Public street, 24/7
- Admission Fees: None
Acknowledgement:
Ongoing care and condition assessment of this monument is monitored by the Pony Express Chapter, NSDAR, and the Utah State Society Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation chair. Awareness of the monument has increased since its inclusion in the 2020 publication Utah State Society Daughters of the American Revolution Monuments - Markers and Histories. Daughters who live and work in the area frequent the site.
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