Dugout
Not everyone who settled in this area could build a home as soon as they arrived. Clearing land and getting crops into the ground was absolutely necessary in order to be able to survive. Temporary shelters were built called "dugouts." These had to be home until there was time to build a house after the work was done. The early settlers to South Jordan referred to where they lived as "Over Jordan---and under the hill."
A dugout was exactly what it sounds like-a shelter " dug out" of the ground or hillside. It looked very similar to the earth lodge of the Pawnee Indians but was made of different materials.
To build a dugout, settlers scooped earth out of the side of a hill, making a cave. The cave formed the back, sides, and roof of the home. The entrance or front wall was then built using adobe, sod, stones, or wood-whatever material was available. An open space was left for a door, which was not always made of wood. It could also be a buffalo hide, wool blanket or wooden poles that were lashed together. Some of them did have a proper door and a window such as the one you see here at the Culture Center. Ours even has a stove for cooking and heating.
The dirt floor of the dugout was packed down hard to give it a smooth finish. Windows were small and covered with paper, animal skins, or wood. Some settlers whitewashed, or painted the walls with ashes, clay or plaster. Other settlers covered the walls with newspaper, old clothes, or paper. James Oliver, an early settler to South Jordan recalls vivid details of the dugout that he lived in. "It was a large room dug out of the bank of the Jordan River. One window with a greased rag over it. One door made of slabs. Slabs of logs were cut in twos, made shelves for dishes, clothes and food, etc. A large rock fireplace was built in the north end of the room where large logs would burn all day or night. Grandmother Maria's steamer trunk was used for a table, until one could be made. Stools were made from logs. Grandfather was a good carpenter and this helped to make many comforts. One was a rocking chair. We lived in this home for six years. On the roof, canes of the marshes from the river were placed to keep the stray cattle from walking on the roof, or caving in the ceiling. Wolves and other wild animals would often sit on the roof barking."
Other early pioneer accounts tell of difficulties living in such a house during the rains that visited in fall and spring. Women often held an umbrella in one hand and cooked on the stove with the other as the ceiling dripped. Imagine sitting in bed with an umbrella overhead to keep dry as the rains drizzled through the packed dirt ceiling!! Would you have had a good night's sleep??

Granary
This marvelous example of early pioneer architecture was donated by the John and Nola Reid family and came from the Don and Maxine Oakeson property. It has been relocated and rebuilt here at the museum with their generous the Reid family's help as well.
The granary was built in the early 1900's by Herbert and Emma Sheppick. Herbert was a blacksmith. His blacksmith shop was on the corner of 1300 West and Shields Lane where the Frank Oakeson home now stands. The granary and the surrounding property were bought by Niels Oakeson who farmed the property well into his 90th year. The Niels Oakeson home was located where the church house, just north of the Jordan River Temple stands today. The granary was used by the Oakeson family through the mid to late 1900's. At the passing of Niels Oakeson, the property was deeded to the Oakeson children. Later, Don and Maxine took their inheritance in the land including the granary site when the property was sold for development. The upper floor was still used for grain storage when Don had sheep on the property. This upper floor was used to store grain. There were three compartments that stored barley, oats and wheat. The basement root cellar was used to store potatoes, carrots, onions, and other root crops used during the harsh winter months as part of the family food supply. There were also shelves for bottled goods canned in the fall for use during the winter.
Early South Jordan residents stayed and prospered with this kind of frugal attitude and great work ethic. The granary is an example of a family caring for their needs and sometimes the needs of their neighbors.

Farming Machinery
The backyard portion of our center has a display that is a walk through the history of farming tools and their importance to South Jordan farmers. You will want to take the time to walk through this area and reminisce about the early days.