About 1872 the first soil was plowed in this community and in 1876-77 homes were erected. The people attended church services in Kaysville and Farmington prior to 1882 when Pres. Wm. R. Smith of Davis stake organized a branch of the L.D.S. church with Wm. H. Beazer presiding elder. In 1885 the people donated means to erect a one room frame building about 25 X 40 feet 2 miles west of this spot, which was used many years as a church, school, and social center. Some of the rocks of the original foundation are used in this monument.
“On March 4, 1905 we moved to Syracuse with all our possessions laoded in an old iron tired wagon. Our furniture consisted of a new bedstead and dresser, and our other household needs. A cupboard, table, chairs, and kitchen stove were all hand-me-downs given by our parents. These we unloaded in our first home- a one room log house, built by a pioneer of Farmington, and later moved to Syracuse. In these very humble and unpretentious circumstances we were very happy.”
(Taken from the diary of William H. Wilcox)
William and Emily had 10 children, eight boys and two girls, two of which were born in their little log home. William’s father, James Henry Wilcox deeded this sweet little home to him along with the 160-acre farm that he purchased from Christopher Layton on May 20, 1885 for $1,800. William and Emily lived in the little log home until 1911.
Their Children are:
David H. and Ann Burnett Wilcox
Harold and Thelma Walker Wilcox
Mary Wilcox and William P. Miller
Myron L. and Jean Thurgood Wilcox
Louise Wilcox and M. Warren. Johnson
Hugh B. Wilcox, Wanda Stoker and Nell Balmforth
Elmer W. & Laura Fullmer Wilcox
Lynn J. and Bernice Criddle Wilcox
Darvil O. and Deane Buchanan Wilcox
Ben E. Wilcox (Our Tithing Boy)
Other families of Syracuse that lived in this little log home were:
An Argyle Family
The Will Thurgood Family 1901-1902
The James Barber Family 1902-1905
Milton and Joyce Wilcox donated this sweet little log home to our museum grounds. Because of Milt’s foresight and dedication in restoring this log home in 1972 we are able to understand and enjoy the beauty and sacrifice of some of Syracuse’s early pioneers.
“The city presents a handsome appearance. About 3 o’clock the whole train arrived and is camped in Emigration Square in a dusty place, full of horses and wagons from the states. A large number of old acquaintances came into our camp to congratulate us on our safe arrival.”
This city block is now known as Washington Square, but during the 1850s and 60s it was known as Emigrant Square. All covered-wagon emigrants who planned to spend any time in Salt Lake City were required to set up camp within this block. While camping here they were able to rest their livestock and replenish their supplies.
In 1859 Captain James H. Simpson led an expedition that opened a new route between Salt Lake City and California which became known as the Central Overland Trail. Emigrant Square was the beginning point of that route. During its short history this route was used by the Pony Express, the Overland Stage, and significant numbers if California-bound emigrants.
Located at 700 East and 1300 South in Salt Lake City, Herman Franks Park has a baseball diamonds, a playground and a dog park.
There are plaques for M.J. “Mickey” Scanlon and Herman L. Franks.
M.J. “Mickey” Scanlon
M.J. “Mickey” Scanlon was born in 1887 and died in 1968. In the 1930’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s Mickey spent many hours at this park known then as Municipal Park where organized amateur baseball was played every evening and on Sunday mornings. The park became Mickey’s “other home” where he umpired, managed, coached, advised and directed the activities of the many amateur teams playing here.
In 1962 he was awarded the Hot Stove League trophy.
During those years Mickey was also a Scout for the New York Yankees. he signed up many talented local players giving them the golden opportunity to make it in the big leagues. Many of his prospects were successful.
Dedicated April, 1990
Name submitted by son, Maurice Scanlon, 1990.
Herman L. Franks
Herman L. Franks was born in in Price, Utah, in 1914. He grew up in Salt Lake City and spent much of his youth in Salt Lake baseball parks. At seventeen Franks was signed as a catcher by Hollywood in the Pacific Coast League. For most of the next 50 years he was in organized baseball–as a player, coach, a manager or general manager.
Franks played for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Philadelphia Athletics and the New York Giants. As a manager, he wore the uniforms of St. Paul, Salt Lake, Caracas, Puerto Rico, San Francisco and Chicago.
Franls was named Greatest Baseball Player in Utah, 1850-1950, by the Deseret News, and voted into the East High School and Utah Sports Halls of Fame.
This ball park was the scene of many of Franks’ early games when he played on several amateur teams..
Dedicated April, 1990
The name for this park was submitted by Dr. Dominic Albo, Jr.
This religious and civic leader, husband, father, and good Samaritan was born in Salt Lake City on August 21, 1927. He grew up on the west side of the city, the second of six children. In 1944, he enrolled at the University of Utah where he met his future wife, Frances Beverly Johnson. This was the beginning of his lifelong love of the University. After serving for a short time with the US Navy, he graduated cum laude in 1948 from the School of Business with a degree in marketing and a minor in economics.
Shortly after graduating, he married Frances in 1948. They are the parents of three children, with eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
He taught courses for the University of Utah’s College of Business and was later awarded the University of Utah’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1966 and an Honorary Doctor of Business in 2007. In 2009 he was honored as the distinguished University of Utah Fan of the Game during a game against Air Force. He also obtained an MBA and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Brigham Young University.
Called as a leader for his religious congregation at age 22, he spent his life ministering to the needs of others. He was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1963, at the age of 36, and became the sixteenth president of the Church in 2008.
Thomas S. Monson served in a number of civic and professional capacities, on the board of many local businesses, the Utah State Board of Higher Education, the Utah State Board of Regents, and as a member of the Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives appointed by President Ronald Reagan. He also served as a member of the National Executive Board of Boy Scouts of America for 48 years.
Thomas S. Monson will be remembered as one of the most influential leaders of our time because he led by love and example. His life, leadership, and vision played a significant role in the development of both a global religion and a local community. Those who knew him well recognized him as a warm, genuine, man of action and faith, who devoted his life to lifting others. – From the Thomas S. Monson Center
