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Show Granger and Hunter remained generally agricultural communities up until the middle of the 20th century, when post-World War II development and growth finally "stimulated demand for a large-scale public water-supply system" (Gorrell 1993: 11) throughout the entire county. Construction of Deer Creek Reservoir, and the accompanying Salt Lake aqueduct, delivered reliable water supplies to Salt Lake City beginning in 1952, which then made it possible to conduct water to the outlying areas in the county. Until that time, Granger and Hunter had to rely on private wells, which often produced insufficient or brackish water. The public water system came to Granger-Hunter in 1953, and by years end, 350 homes and business establishments were connected. "With water finally available, the area grew as much in 1954 as it had in all the years since the pioneers arrived. That growth pattern persisted, with a few ebbs and flows, into the 1990s" (Gorrell 1993:12). With the arrival of water also came the arrival of city planning and zoning, as six to twelve new housing developments were being built each year, and the need for community organization began to be recognized, but it took until 1965 for a formal system to be put into place. The exploding population, particularly of school-age children, required an increase in educational building; commercial growth also began to quickly expand during the post-war years. The communities which had experienced such slow growth for most of their existence suddenly found that they enjoyed a combined population of nearly 50,000 (Gorrell 1993; Sillitoe 1996). The rapid growth of these communities left many people feeling discouraged, since the initial expansion had proceeded in an uncontrolled manner, and many felt that the county government was only concerned with "east-side interests .. (and) the west side of the Jordan River ... was a dumping ground" (Gorrell 1993: 15). This perception led to the drive in 1974, to incorporate Granger, Hunter and Chesterfield into a new entity, to be called West Valley City, a drive led by future governor Norman Bangerter. The incorporation movement did not move forward without resistance, however. A special legislative session imposed a moratorium on incorporation, annexation and consolidation plans, effectively tabling the issue until a future date, as the Salt Lake County wished to maintain control over the communities and their tax base. However, Salt Lake City annexed the area located at 3300 South between Eleventh and Thirteenth East streets in order to build the $30 million Brickyard Plaza (Sillitoe 1996). This action prompted further action towards incorporation, not only by Granger-Hunter, but also by Draper and Bluffdale councilmen. Following several court battles community meetings, an election was held in February 1978, but the drive for incorporation was defeated. A second election was held "on 26 February 1980, and voters decided the two-year battle, but only by a ninety-vote margin. The count showed 5,179 voters supporting incorporation and 5,099 against. Hearing rumors of voting irregularities, Commissioner Bark Barker insisted on a recount, and the lead dropped to seventy votes. Despite the narrow victory, West Valley City was born as the state s third largest city, formed from portions of Granger, Hunter, and Chesterfield. Henry H. Price became its first mayor, Renee W. MacKay and Jerry L. Wagstaff were elected city commissioners, and M Gerry Ashman became auditor" (Sillitoe 1996:276-277). A drive to disincorporate the new city failed, and city functions began, without funds and in a converted warehouse, but gradually "city government stabilized, taxes dropped, and services developed" (Sillitoe 1996:277). As Jack Monson wrote in the Deseret News, "West Valley City was incorporated as the state's third largest city by a ninety-vote margin. It survived its first impoverished years to gain population, prosperity and clout" (Sillitoe 1996:277). 17 |
