159 Years: The Forgotten History of Pioneer Hall

159 years ago, in 1867, Canada became a country. The United States purchased Alaska from Russia. Karl Marx published Volume I of Das Kapital. And West Jordan's Pioneer Hall was completed.

Pioneer Hall (1137 West 7800 South) has been called by many names, "The Old Rock Church," "The Old Rock Meetinghouse." But, it has housed so much more than these names describe: dances, school lessons, basketball practice, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Baptist worship, theatre plays and chickens.

In 1861, when the migrants grew tired of meeting in a log house for church, they came together to put up a stone building. It took them over five years just to build the three-foot-thick red-sandstone and granite walls. By the time those were finished, they didn't have enough to pay for the roof. They hosted a dance for local officers and dignitaries, covered only by a fabric tarp. But, the dance was a success and they finally completed the building and dedicated it on Aug 11, 1867.

Until 1913, it was the area's primary church, school and theatre. When congregants needed a bigger building, it wasn't completely abandoned, at least by humans. Barn animals, including chickens, and some farm equipment found refuge until the 1920s. Then a basketball team cleared it out for practice sessions.

The local Daughters of Utah Pioneers Chapter adopted the building in 1937, restored it and renamed it "Pioneer Hall." Since then it has been used as a social and dance hall, and periodically as a worship hall when needed. It was remodeled in 2007 and has been available to the community since then.

Next year Pioneer Hall will turn 160. This small, but versatile place has served West Jordan well. What will it be for you? A wedding reception? A theater? A dinner party? 2500 square feet and a whole lot of history: come see what Pioneer Hall can do for you.

By Erin Dixon