From making Wagon wheels to a Weighing Station

Joseph Fairbourn or Fairbourne

Josephs parents both migrated to the United States from England. Joseph was raised in the Millcreek area. When Joseph was just 10 yrs old he had much responsibility. Every day he was armed with a shotgun and would take the family cattle to graze from their farm in Millcreek to Granger. He was a brave young boy and had to battle many hungry wild animals to preserve his fathers cattle.

Joseph continued to be brave and industrious through adulthood. In 1957 Joseph married Minnie Taylor. They bought 10 acres of land in Granger. He was very familiar with the land which his cattle grazed on for so many years.

Joseph and Minnie were a wonderful duo and within just a few years they had not only built their home but had also built a blacksmith shop and tamed their 10 acres. There home is listed as 3200 W 3535 S. It is said that he used the same Bellows in his Blacksmith Shop for his entire 55 year career.

Later in life he operated the scales to weigh farm produce. He weighed everything from corn to hay. People from far and near would come to weigh their produce.

He had 14 children and also helped to operate a community store and postoffice. Joseph died at the age of 83.

Today West Valley City has honored Joseph and Minnie with a new commercial area called Fairbourn Station. In the area there is a running stream that is titled "The Jordan". There is a bridge that is called "Over Jordan" and there is a non-working weigh station for the community to admire. If you stand on the scale it tells you how many cows/ chickens or corn you weigh. It is a wonderful way for the community to remember Joseph & Minnie Fairbourn and their wonderful family.