Location:  905 Orchard Drive (corner Orchard Dr. and Mill St.), Bountiful, Utah

Markers at this location:

• Daniel Davis
• George Quinn McNeil
• Heber C. Kimball
• Heber C. Kimball Grist Mill
• Original Gristmill Stones

The Heber C. Kimball Gristmill, the foundation of which can be seen just east of this monument, was in operation from 1852 until 1892, using these burr-type gristmill stones. When the use of roller mills was introduced, mills of this type were no longer used.

The South Davis Chapter, Sons of Utah Pioneers, formerly owned the property this mill was located on. In 1984, it was sold to Davis County, who, in cooperation with Bountiful City, constructed a debris catch basin on the site. During the excavation of the basin site, these two original gristmill stones were uncovered and found to be in remarkably good condition after all these intervening years.

Permission was granted the South Davis Chapter, Sons of Utah Pioneers to construct this monument so as to complement and enhance the Daughters of Utah Pioneers replica of the old mill, and their monument, located just to the right of this monument. Thanks is given to all who had a hand in making this effort a reality and being able to bring back a few memories of our Pioneer Ancestors.

Location:  905 Orchard Drive (corner Orchard Dr. and Mill St.), Bountiful, Utah

Markers at this location:

• Daniel Davis
• George Quinn McNeil
• Heber C. Kimball
• Heber C. Kimball Grist Mill
• Original Gristmill Stones

Daniel Davis was born on December 18, 1808, in Amesbury, Essex County, Massachusetts, the third child of Wells Davis and Mary Kelly Davis. As a young man Davis traveled to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was adopted into the Heber C. Kimball family.

On April 20, 1846, Davis was forced from Nauvoo and joined the Saints’ western migration. During the migration, Heber C. Kimball assigned Davis to assist in building Winter Quarters at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Davis reached the Salt Lake Valley September 24, 1848.

Pursuant to Kimball’s desire to erect a flour gristmill on this site, which was then known as North Mill Cañon, Daniel Davis began to clear this ground on July 18, 1852. On April 20, 1853, the mill’s northeastern cornerstone was laid by Isaac Hunter, the southeastern stone by Daniel Davis. The next day Heber C. Kimball dedicated the site.

Upon the mill’s completion Davis assumed its management, living in an adobe house southwest of this site. The three-story mill was then the largest in Utah Territory. In 1869, the Kimball grist mill was purchased for $8,000 by Bishop John Stoker and others of the Bountiful Cooperative Mercantile from the trustees of the Heber C. Kimball estate. Later, the mill became an entertainment center.

Daniel Davis died at age 84, on February 25, 1892. Now, a century later, we recognize his many contributions to the mill and the community.

Location:  905 Orchard Drive (corner Orchard Dr. and Mill St.), Bountiful, Utah

Markers at this location:

• Daniel Davis
• George Quinn McNeil
• Heber C. Kimball
• Heber C. Kimball Grist Mill
• Original Gristmill Stones

Heber C. Kimball was born on June 14, 1801 to Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding Kimball in Sheldon, Franklin County, Vermont. He married Vilate Murray on November 7, 1822.

Kimball was converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1832. He was called to be a member of the Church’s Quorum of Twelve Apostles in February 1835 and led the first missionary thrust to England during the 1830’s. This effort resulted in much Church growth. In December 1847, he became Brigham Young’s first counselor in the Church’s First Presidency.

On July 24, 1847, Heber C. Kimball arrived with the first group of Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley. By 1849, he had become the first chief justice of the provisional State of Deseret and the State’s lieutenant governor. In his time, Kimball was involved in many important events in Utah Territory and the Church.

Kimball, who owned property and had family here, felt a need for a flour mill in the North Cañon Ward (now known as Bountiful City). Then, farm efforts in Bountiful were dominated by grain production and he felt the mill would be a good investment. Kimball was granted land rights in 1851. After its completion in the fall of 1853 he dedicated the mill.

Water to run the mill was stored in a pond that was excavated on its south side. An adobe cottage faced the mill on the east bank. Poplar trees were planted around the pond.

Kimball died on June 22, 1888, in Salt Lake City.

We now recognize Heber C. Kimball’s leadership in financing the grist mill’s construction.