Gardner Village is the legacy of my family, it is about my third great grandfather Archibald Gardner, one of the first pioneers to settle into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, I thought it would be fun to place a cache here with permission from the property manager of course, so that our posterity and fellow geocachers could come and learn more about our heritage and share it with their families.
Gardner Village in West Jordan, Utah contains the outlines of the once bustling early Utah pioneer mill industry and history. What remains today is a cluster of retail specialty shops located in restored cabins, houses and buildings nestled adjacent to the Gardner Mill. Now listed on the National Historic Register, the old flour mill is home to Archibald's Restaurant and Country Furniture & Gifts.
Vintage pioneer architecture, antique fixtures, red brick paths and bridges over a pond, create a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere for shopping, dining and discovering some of Utah's most colorful history.
Feel free to stroll around and check out the shops and the bakery and grab a bit to eat at Archibald’s restaurant and if you have the time.
Gardner Village History
Close your eyes and imagine a large grist mill, mattress factory, broom factory, blacksmith shop, and general store. What remains today—the Gardner Mill—is the legacy of Archibald Gardner, an industrious pioneer and devout religious man.
Archibald Gardner
Gardner, who was born in Kilsythe, Scotland, in 1814, immigrated to Canada and then the United States after he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Gardner was one of the original Mormon pioneer settlers of Utah in 1847, when the first wave of pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley.
Gardner, who gained experience building mills in Canada, built his first Utah mills in the Cottonwood area. In the early 1850s, Archibald Gardner and his family began establishing the roots of an industrious hub on the west side of the Jordan River. Logs were hauled by horse teams from the Bingham Canyon to build the first West Jordan flour mill in 1853. A house warming was held in the Mill on December 21, 1853, according to records. The original mill was moved and a larger mill, now on the site, was erected in 1877. The adjacent West Jordan Canal and other irrigation canals were also developed by Archibald Gardner. The first commercial water rights issued in Utah went to Archibald Gardner and his West Jordan Mill.
Here are the clues for the missing numbers for the final location of the cache.
A= What is the building number for The Bead Farm?
B= What is the building number for Sassy Babies ? Soon to be spoiled rotten babies ( Take the time to read the tombstone on the side of the house?
C= What is the buiding number for Cottage Retreat Spa and Salon?
Final Cordinates
N 40 36. 63A W B11 55.44C
This cache was previously taken and replaced so I had to take extra precautions to prevent that from happening again. If it does get taken please notify me, but hopefully it won't happen again. This is a popular location with lots of muggles around that could be watching so be stealthy and leave it as you found it and make it is secure. During the hot summer months handle with caution for the cache container can get hot when sitting in the sun. The cache is large and contains lots of fun swag, a couple travel bugs, log book and pencil. Happy hunting and enjoy!