Nestled within the vibrant and bustling Lagoon Amusement Park, a serene oasis awaits, offering a tranquil contrast to the exhilarating rides and lively crowds. Welcome to Pioneer Village, a captivating historical enclave that transports visitors back in time to experience the early days of Utah settlement. This unique attraction provides a peaceful and educational escape, allowing guests to explore meticulously preserved buildings and artifacts from Utah’s pioneer past, all within the heart of one of the region’s most beloved amusement parks.
Pioneer Village stands as a remarkable time capsule, carefully curated to reflect the spirit and ingenuity of Utah’s early settlers. It’s more than just a collection of old buildings; it’s a living representation of a bygone era, where the hopes and dreams of pioneers shaped the foundations of modern Utah. The village is comprised of authentic structures, each with its own story, gathered from various locations across the state, including rural homesteads and even sites now submerged beneath the waters of Utah’s reservoirs.
Interestingly, Pioneer Village’s origins are not in Farmington, where Lagoon is located, but rather on Salt Lake Valley’s east side. The vision of Horace Sorensen, founder of Southeast Furniture in Sugar House, laid the groundwork for this historical treasure. As early as 1936, Sorensen began collecting discarded household items, recognizing the intrinsic value in objects others deemed obsolete. This passion for preservation grew, transforming “antiquated” possessions into cherished “antiques,” long before they were widely recognized as valuable commodities.
“The whole thing just snowballed and kept on going,” explains Howard Freed, the village’s curator, highlighting the organic growth of Sorensen’s collection. From humble beginnings with chairs and china, Sorensen’s ambition expanded to encompass entire buildings, ranging from rustic log cabins to a dignified stone church.
Originally situated on 2.54 acres in East Millcreek, owned by Horace and Ethel Sorensen, Pioneer Village became a significant undertaking. Orson Wright, former national president of the Sons of Utah Pioneers (SUP), notes that Sorensen, also a former SUP president, eventually entrusted the entire village to the organization, which had its offices on the site.
However, despite its historical significance, Pioneer Village in its original location suffered from obscurity. Wright recalls, “I was a guide on Temple Square from 1958 to 1978, and people would say, ‘Where is the Pioneer Village?’ We’d tell them, and they would ask, ‘Is there anything closer?'” Its hidden location meant that even locals were often unaware of its existence.
Recognizing the need for greater visibility, the SUP, with Sorensen’s consent, explored relocating the village. Discussions were held with the state regarding a potential move to This Is the Place Monument (now This Is the Place Heritage Park). However, in the 1970s, the monument commission had differing ideas about preservation, suggesting the collection be partially dispersed.
Sorensen and the SUP firmly believed in preserving the village and its comprehensive collection intact – it was an all-or-nothing proposition. Serendipitously, Boyd Jensen, Lagoon’s general manager, contacted Wright. Jensen and Peter Freed, Lagoon’s managing partner, envisioned Pioneer Village as a perfect addition to the amusement park.
After two years of careful deliberation, Lagoon acquired Pioneer Village from the SUP, relocating it to Farmington. In the subsequent year, the buildings, antiques, and collectibles were seamlessly integrated into Lagoon, thoughtfully positioned to maintain a sense of historical tranquility amidst the park’s lively atmosphere.
Wright expresses satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the funds from the sale played a crucial role in constructing a new headquarters for the Sons of Utah Pioneers near Parley’s Canyon. This relocation not only secured the future of Pioneer Village but also enhanced the presence of both the village and the SUP within the community.
Today, Pioneer Village thrives within Lagoon, a stone’s throw from modern amusement park attractions. The exhilarating Log Flume and Rattlesnake Rapids rides provide a backdrop of splashing water and delighted screams, while Lagoon-A-Beach offers sun-soaked relaxation nearby. Even the shooting gallery finds its place within the village’s layout. Yet, amidst these contemporary entertainments, Pioneer Village retains its unique historical charm, offering food stalls, including a beloved ice cream shop, nestled among its antique buildings and carefully crafted Old West replicas.
A commemorative plaque in the central plaza stands as a tribute to “Horace A. Sorensen and his wife Ethel Melville Sorensen,” honoring their “selfless devotion, personal generosity, imagination and foresight.” It recognizes their shared dream of creating a living museum, acknowledging that “These two people have made the history of Utah and her people a visual reality for present and future generations.”
Adam Leishman from Lagoon’s marketing department notes the consistent popularity of Pioneer Village, with weekend crowds at Lagoon, including the village, reaching 18,000-20,000 fun-seekers, and weekday figures averaging around 10,000 visitors during the summer months.
Lagoon itself boasts a rich history, originating on the shores of the Great Salt Lake as Lake Park. In 1886, Simon Bamberger, a commuter railroad magnate and future governor, relocated the park to a Farmington pond adjacent to his rail line, rebranding it as “Lagoon.” As a historic resort, Lagoon proudly celebrates over 125 years of providing entertainment.
Pioneer Village occupies Lagoon’s southeast corner, thoughtfully arranged to enhance the visitor experience. The northern section features pioneer residences filled with period furniture and fascinating domestic artifacts, alongside a charming rock chapel and a schoolhouse frozen in time with an 1872 lesson on the chalkboard. Impressive firearm and Utah token collections are also on display, and tucked away is Lagoon’s original concrete jail, a relic from the park’s early days.
The southern side of the village showcases pioneer businesses, including a print shop, an ice cream shop also housing an apothecary museum, and a railroad building brimming with model trains. A captivating miniature circus, a carriage house, and a multi-chair barbershop (complete with a sign advertising “shave and a haircut six bits”) add to the immersive atmosphere. Upstairs from the barbershop, a millinery shop displays once-fashionable hats and dresses, while a dentist’s office offers a glimpse into the somewhat daunting dental practices of the past. Scattered throughout are various food options, ensuring visitors can refresh themselves while exploring.
Each building and collection within Pioneer Village holds unique stories, and curator Howard Freed is a wealth of anecdotes. The concrete jail, for example, was a functional part of early Lagoon, used to hold miscreants arrested on weekends until they could be brought before a court on Monday, typically for offenses like public intoxication or brawling.
Lagoon in its early days offered a diverse range of amusements, including rowing on the pond, dancing, shooting galleries, lawn bowling, and even a tavern.
Many of Pioneer Village’s buildings were rescued from Rockport, near Coalville, an area largely submerged by or adjacent to Echo Reservoir. Others originated from Nephi, Charleston, and various communities in Davis County, reflecting the widespread effort to preserve Utah’s pioneer heritage.
Freed shares poignant stories, such as that of a Rockport family whose father was away on an LDS mission. The mother, left with twelve children, instructed them to hide in the cornfield if they encountered unfriendly Native Americans, a testament to the challenges and anxieties of pioneer life.
The Rock Chapel from Coalville, prominently located in Pioneer Village, stands as a particularly significant structure. Beyond its spiritual purpose, this stone building also served as the community’s fort, the most secure refuge in town. Reconstructed stone by stone at Lagoon, the chapel resonated with former LDS Church President Spencer W. Kimball, who reportedly enjoyed playing its organ.
Freed also highlights the remarkable Utah token collection, displayed in vertical stands with magnifying lenses for detailed viewing. These tokens, born from the scarcity of official currency in pioneer times, were minted by local businesses and organizations and used for trade, representing everything from trolley rides to essential supplies like milk or even dynamite.
Another stone building, relocated from elsewhere in Farmington, showcases pioneer furniture on loan from the LDS Church Historical Department. This furniture, often crafted from local pine and cleverly varnished and “grained” to mimic more expensive woods like oak or mahogany, exemplifies pioneer resourcefulness.
A “multiphone,” described as “sort of the jukebox of its time,” anchors a room filled with an array of musical instruments, including cylinder players and a striking “giraffe piano” with upward-reaching strings. The newspaper/print shop features old presses and yellowed newsprint, evoking the atmosphere of early journalism.
The general store, originally the Rockport Co-op, presents an orderly display of period goods, from “Quick-Serve Beans” to “Postum Cereal,” alongside a collection of antique medicines and herbs – anise seeds, jalapa, Sierra salvia – many bearing brand names still recognized today. Across from the ice cream dispensary, an antique saloon back bar adds to the authentic ambiance.
Further exploration reveals a prized china and crystal shop, rumored to contain pieces once owned by Brigham Young, a model railroad collection assembled by David E. Sperry, and Don Ogden’s meticulously crafted miniature circus.
Pioneer Village also boasts an antique stove display, featuring the ornate “Sovereign Jewel” stove, a toy and doll museum, a blacksmith shop, and a carriage shop, complete with a Wells Fargo & Co. Over-Land Stagecoach replica, seemingly ready for a Western film.
Two young boys, faces smeared with ice cream, peer into the old dentist’s office, intrigued and perhaps slightly apprehensive at the sight of archaic dental tools. One boy’s mention of a cavity prompts the suggestion that he might prefer a modern dentist to the likely experiences in such a setting.
For Orson Wright, the retired dentist and long-time SUP member, the dentist’s office holds a particular fascination, a reminder of how far dental practices have advanced.
Lagoon Pioneer Village is more than just an amusement park attraction; it’s a valuable historical and cultural destination. It offers an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages, providing a tangible connection to Utah’s past and celebrating the legacy of its pioneers. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a family seeking an enriching outing, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat within the excitement of Lagoon, Pioneer Village is an unmissable destination.
