Rooted & The Utah Idaho Sugar Factory

 Rooted is a new piece of art in West Jordan. It is a giant sugar beet representing the roots of the Sugar Beet farming in the area. It is near the location of the old (now demolished) Utah Idaho Sugar Beet Factory in West Jordan.

Quick Details:

Length: NA
Trail Type: Get out and see.
Difficulty: DR1.
Elevation Gain: NA
Restroom: There are some in the nearby Veterans Memorial Park.
Dogs? Yes, Leashed.
Other Info:

To Get Here:

From i15 take the 7200 South exit head west. Turn left on 2200 west. Got about 1.3 miles and it will be on the left just past Veterans Memorial Park. If you cross Trax you went too far.

The Trail:

It is just a big ol sugar beet. I couldn’t find much in the way of stats other than it is made of steel.

From the side.

The Sign.

“Rooted

This sculpture honors West Jordan’s rich agricultural past and the vital role sugar beets played into shaping the community. Installed near the site of the original sugar beet factory, this steel sculpture stands as a tribute to the city’s industrious spirit, resilience, and deep connection to the land. It reflects a legacy grounded in hard work, growth, and enduring ties to place.

Laura Erekson
Artist
2025”

From the sign. 

I can’t seem to locate a definitive date, but it looks like it was erected sometime between November and December 2025. So yeah, super new.

Portrait. I would wager it is about 12 - 15 feet tall or so. Based upon images I have seen with people next to it.

The front.

Portrait.

So.. someone has labeled this on google maps as the Super Mario 2 Radish Statue. LOL 

I guess I can see it (outside link). But no, it is definitely a sugar beet.

With the mountains. You can also see the Canyon View Credit Union Community & Arts Center to the right. Which, as I understand it, is approximately where the sugar factory was.

Actually, see below. I think this is slightly to the north of the old site.

Anyway, I might have to come back to see the arts center sometime.

From the other side. I can’t decide if I like this, or the ones in Sugar House better.

Fun fact: Sugar House was named for another sugar factory, but the beets were grown here. You can learn more about that failed factory at the Sugar House Monument Plaza.

From a little bit back.

Just for funsies at night from a few days ago when I first noticed it. It got some good lighting.

Again.

Well, while we are here, and on the topic:

The Utah Idaho Sugar Factory: 1916-1970 (demolished).

This, I believe, is actually the site of the old sugar factory. Messing around on google earth, it looks like it was there until 2010.

2010. You can see the factory next to the railroad.

2025. the factory is gone, and the arts center is built to the north.

By the way, the road just to the south along the train tracks is called Sugar Factory Road, in honor of the factory.

The historical marker is a bit north in Veterans Memorial Park.

“Utah Idaho Sugar Factory

West Jordan, Utah 1916-1970

Utah Idaho Sugar Factory Marker

Inscription. In 1849 Governor Brigham Young sent Apostle John Taylor on a mission to France to investigate industries that could be successfully established in the New Mountain Empire. There he met Philip De Lamare, a man of exceptional talents and substantial means, who had a knowledge of the sugar industry.

In Orras, France, they carefully examined the sugar beet industry, and convinced of its possibilities, raised funds in England and purchased equipment in Liverpool, England. Early in 1852 the equipment was shipped to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Then it was placed on 40 sturdy Santa Fe wagons; each drawn by 4 to 8 oxen. This private enterprise faced monumental setbacks and many wagons were replaced before they reached Provo, Utah one year later.

Due to insufficient funds, ownership of the property was transferred to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who set up a “pilot plant” on the northeast corner of the

Temple block. Another plant was built on Parley’s Creek and later known as “Sugarhouse”. In 1854 the factory was ready for operation but it never flourished due to inexperience, lack of organization, marketing, weather and spoilage.

The vision was not dead, however. Arthur Stayner examined the industry in California and with 20 stockholders, he organized the Utah Sugar Company of Lehi, Utah, August 30, 1889. The original principals involved were: Elias Morris, President; Franci Armstrong, Vice President; James Jack, Treasurer; Arthur Staymer, Secretary and General Manager, and James H. Gardner, Sugar Boiler.

This venture was successful and provided the incentive for other factories in Utah and Idaho, including the large U & I Plant at West Jordan, which became the model of productivity, research, and cooperation between farmers, producers, and consumers for 55 years. Great economic growth was derived from the millions of dollars dispersed throughout Utah and Idaho from research and the manufacturing of sugars and syrups.

Over 13,163,157 one-hundred pound sacks of sugar were produced from over 4,910,869 tons of sugar beets. The West Jordan Plant’s research contributed to the control of sugar beet diseases, including the dreaded “curly top,” and in development of Hybrid Monogerm seeds. The factory was constructed at West Jordan, Utah, for Utah Idaho Sugar by F. M. Dyers & Company. The original officers were Joseph F. Smith, President; Thomas R. Cutler, Vice President and General Manager and Horace G. Whitney, Secretary and Treasurer.”

Here is an image of the factory from 2007 from hmdb.org (outside link). I wish I had a chance to see it for myself before they tore it down. But I mean, it is just a factory.

1920’s. Also from hmdb.org.

Well that was a fun little adventure! Art with some neat history. The world needs more art, weird or not. I particularly enjoy art that represents the area it is placed in as well. It's nice that the city finally got a fun piece of art, similar to Out of the Blue, etc. Plus, I always enjoy a fun little adventure into history. 10 squirrels!

As for difficulty, really just get out and look. DR1. The historical marker requires a little bit of a walk, but not much if you park by it.

Dogs are allowed, leashed on city sidewalks and parks.