SLC Parks and Rec Department created a multipurpose regional park in the southwest corner of the meadows on the Wheeler Historic Farm in 2000. Large open areas, either constructed or left wild, that are maintained for public use and serve many communities are known as regional parks. Significant improvements were made in the following years, such as the Pavilion and the Playground Fort. Learn more.
The Playground Fort
In conjunction with Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, the Wheeler Farm Friends Board collaborated on constructing the Playground Fort, swiftly establishing itself as a fan favorite at the farm. In July of 2011, the playground equipment installation was finally finished. In July of 2011, the playground equipment installation was finally completed. A grant from the Dumke Foundation obtained via the Friends of Wheeler Farm enabled the purchase of an expansion to the playground explicitly designed for toddlers.
Wheeler Woods and Little Cottonwood Creek
The Haunted Woods previously occupied around forty acres of this property (ended in 2001). The woods have been redeveloped into a beautiful natural hideaway in the city’s center. There are some spots in the woods where you will get the impression that you are in the midst of nowhere. Along the banks of Little Cottonwood Creek are large trees, plants, and wetland areas. Their daily excursions on the Wagon Rides take riders through the forest.
History
In the middle of the 1800s, a large number of people called the Wheeler Historic Farm in Salt Lake County home, and since that time, they have also worked there as harvesters.
Wheeler Historic Farm Timeline
1848: Joseph Hammond immigrated to Utah
1853: Hammond acquired a 19-acre property in South Cottonwood (now Murray) and subsequently purchased an additional farm; however, he sold all except 70 acres of the combined properties.
1864: Hammond completed the sale of the united parcel of land to Ole Hansen.
1869: Hansen made the trade in return for a property that belonged to William Goodall Young and was located close to Bear Lake.
1870: William and Martha Grainger Young uprooted their lives and went to the farm. William, who was involved in civic and religious activities in his community, established a group representing local farmers, gardeners, and fruit producers.
1884:Elizabeth Cooper Pixton is the new property owner after it was purchased from the Youngs.
1887:Pixton made the transaction so that her daughter Sariah and her newlywed son-in-law Henry Joseph Wheeler, Sr. would become the new owners of the land.
1898: The construction of a Victorian farmhouse began.
For 56 years, the Wheelers were the owners of a farm that included 75 acres and lived there. During the time that the Wheelers lived on the farm, they welcomed seven children into the world, and, in later years, they received favor with two grandchildren.
The Wheelers made their first home on the property in an adobe structure that Ole Hanson had constructed. Sariah, a developed country woman, had a strong preference for a roomy Victorian farmhouse that was well furnished, which led to the building of the house that is currently situated on the land. The adobe bricks salvaged from the previous structure were used to create the home’s insulated walls, resulting in significant energy savings. Many outbuildings that formerly ringed the main house are still there today. One of these structures is the family garage, which is said to have been the location where Henry stored his magnificent Pierce-Arrow automobile.
Post-Wheeler Ownership
After Henry Sr. passed away, the property was acquired by Sterling Furniture Company and Richard Madsen, the company’s president. The Madsen family lived on the property and ran the Golden Guernsey Cattle Ranch there. They raised high-quality dairy cows and made several improvements to the farm.
In 1969, Salt Lake County became the owner of the property. During that period, the structures had been boarded up and were in serious need of maintenance. In addition, years of neglect had caused the farmyard to become cluttered with trash. In the beginning, Salt Lake County intended to tear down the historic buildings and turn the site into a regional park complete with athletic fields, tennis courts, and other recreational amenities.
In 1974, the Junior League of Salt Lake undertook a significant study and presented Salt Lake County with a concept plan to conserve the farm buildings and establish a living, functioning historic farm. Salt Lake County accepted the idea. This was not a simple endeavor, but the County Board of Commissioners agreed with the proposal and embraced it as their Bicentennial project for the town. They did it with a great deal of enthusiasm and considerable seed money.
The Junior League devised a strategy and solicited financial assistance from various organizations, including the National Historic Preservation Foundation, the Community Development Funds, and the Bicentennial Commission. It was decided to bring on a curator. The volunteers got to work on cleaning up the enormous yard and beginning the laborious task of renovating the farmhouse and collecting items for its interior design.
Between 1974 and 1976, Beverly Wheeler Maelstrom assisted with the research and drafting of National Register submissions. The Wheeler Historic Farm had its grand opening for the general public in May of 1976. The curator, farmer, and director of Wheeler Farm, Dr. A. Glen Humphreys, and his family recently relocated into a trailer situated on the farm’s land. The contributions made by Dr. Humphrey over more than 25 years as director and curator are still present at the farm today in various forms.
Wheeler Farm Friends is a charitable organization under Section 501(c)3 that was established to assist Wheeler Historic Farm in fundraising and other auxiliary activities. Beverly Wheeler Mastrim and Jean Wheeler Allen, both of whom are Henry Jr.’s children, took an active role in the activities above and the ongoing preservation of the property.
Currently, the Wheeler Historic Farm serves as both an agricultural museum and an outdoor leisure center under the management of Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation. Additional structures, such as a milking parlor, vintage garage with exhibits, and turn-of-the-century root cellar, may be found scattered over the 75-acre property and can be visited by visitors. Nine original buildings on the farm have been recognized as deserving of a spot on the state or municipal register of historical sites.
Currently, the Wheeler Historic Farm serves as both an agricultural museum and an outdoor leisure center under the management of Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation. Additional structures, such as a milking parlor, vintage garage with exhibits, and turn-of-the-century root cellar, may be found scattered over the 75-acre property and can be visited by visitors. Nine original buildings on the farm have been recognized as deserving of a spot on the state or municipal register of historical sites.
There’s additional info at their site, or you may call them at (385) 468-1755.