3535 South 3200 West

He was the communities Blacksmith

Joseph Fairbourn  

Joseph’s parents both migrated to the United States from England. Joseph was born and 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 father’s cattle.

Joseph continued to be brave and industrious through adulthood. In 1882 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 by 18887 they had not only built their home but had also built a blacksmith shop and tamed their 10 acres.  Their home is listed as 3200 W 3535 S.

Later in life, he operated the scales to weigh farm produce. The Scales were mainly used to weigh tithing donations for the Church.  Joseph was also charged with stacking and preparing the tithing donations for the LDS bishop. 

This is a receipt for Barton's Tithing Donation that Joseph weighed in 1916. A big thank you to Bill Barton who shared this receipt that his family treasures.

Aug 21, 1916

Thomas Barton was 43 yrs old when recieved this reciptof his tithing donation

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

This is what Joseph Fairborn's peoperty looks like today. It is on the South West corner of 3500 S 3200 W

Today West Valley City has honored Joseph and Minnie with a new commercial area called Fairbourne Station. Although the spelling is different than Joseph spelled his last name, his youngest child use the "e" and then several generations have used the "e" on the end of the last name. 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. The city's planning and development also are planning on building a 9 story building on the city block. Here is more information.   http://www.fairbournestation.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17lCl_CmZdU