The West Jordan Historical Museum news

 The West Jordan Historical Museum is proud to announce the acquisition of a West Jordan cottage house that was once the home of the Cottage Inn. The cottage has a rich historical background that involves both Bingham and West Jordan. The cottage was built in Bingham Canyon prior to 1919 and was the home of Vivian Gardner who was a teacher. Vivian married Willard Richardson and she had her first child, Fern, in the house. When Vivian moved back to West Jordan, the cottage was moved to Richardson’s farm located off of 90^th by the Jordan Canal. 

 In 1937, Vivian and her sister Genevieve Gardner decided to open a small soda fountain, grocery and lunch counter business. The house was moved to 1300 west and 7800 south and located next to the LDS tithing office. The cottage was completely rewired by her son Earl who was only 15 at the time. The Cottage Inn operated from 1937 to 1941 when Vivian sold the building to Chick Beers. Chick moved the house to the north side of 7800 south when the old Bingham Highway was straightened instead of cutting through the cemetery. The Cottage Inn was then remodeled into a home which the Beers family owned and used until October 2004. 

 In 2004 property along 7800 south was purchased for development by C & W Management. We contacted Wayne Nederhouser of C & W Management who consulted with his partners and graciously donated the house to the museum. Wayne and his partners worked very closely with Todd Erickson of Erickson Brothers Company in West Jordan and made arrangements to move the house to the museum. The necessary Conditional Use Permit (CUP) completion bond, building permit and cement pad are in the works by friends of the West Jordan Historical Museum. Once the house is moved to the museum and on its pad, there are four Eagle scouts who will tackle the restoration of the house back to the 1937 Cottage Inn. 

 The goal is to have the exterior of the cottage restored in time for the 4^th of July Celebration of the reopening of the main city park. We are also looking for community support to help with the restoration. We are looking for the following items: A 1920-1930’s National Cash Register or similar make and model, several Hamilton Beach malt mixers with green or silver motor covers, an oil stove, soda fountain type stools with vinyl seats that bolt to the floor, a small freezer and other soda fountain type memorabilia. We are focusing on Pepsi & Hires Root Beer s they were originally served at the Cottage Inn. We are also looking for personal memories and photos of the Cottage Inn while it was in operation. 

 We have several Eagle Scout projects coming up in the next few months that will enhance the look of the museum. We welcome those who are interested in being part of our museum board or would like to serve on committees and help preserve our West Jordan heritage. Please call Robert or Linda Dalley at 255-3116