American Fork, Utah
Encyclopedia
American Fork is a city in Utah County
, Utah
, United States
, at the foot of Mount Timpanogos
in the Wasatch Range
, north of Utah Lake
. It is part of the Provo
–Orem
, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The population was 26,263 at the 2010 census, nearly a 20% growth since the 2000 census. It has been rapidly growing since the 1970s.
was used as a seasonal hunting and fishing ground by the Ute Indians. American Fork was settled in 1850 by Mormon pioneers, and incorporated as Lake City in 1852. The first settlers had been Stephen Chipman (grandfather of Stephen L. Chipman
, who was a prominent citizen around the start of the 20th Century), Arza Adams, Ira Eldredge, John Eldredge and their families.
The first settlers of American Fork had lived in scattered conditions along the American Fork River. However, by the 1850s, tensions between the settlers and Native Americans was increasing. In 1853, Daniel H. Wells
, the head of the Nauvoo Legion
(the Utah Territorial Militia at the time), instructed settlers to move into specific forts. At a meeting on July 23, 1853 at the schoolhouse in American Fork, Lorenzo Snow
and Parley P. Pratt
convinced the settlers to follow Wells' directions and all move together into a central fort. A fort was built of 37 acres (149,733.8 m²) to which the settlers located, although only parts of the wall were built to eight feet high, and none were built to the original plan of twelve feet high.
Settlers changed the name from Lake City to American Fork in 1860. It was renamed American Fork after the American Fork River which runs through it. They also did this to avoid confusion with Salt Lake City. Most residents were farmers and merchants during its early history. By the 1860s, American Fork had established a public school
, making them the first community in the territory of Utah to offer public education to its citizens. In the 1870s, American Fork served as a rail access point for mining activities in American Fork Canyon
. American Fork had "a literal social feud" with the town of Lehi
due to the Utah Sugar Company choosing Lehi as the factory building site in 1890, instead of American Fork. There were also several mercantile businesses in American Fork, such as the American Fork Co-operative Association and Chipman Mercantile. For several decades in the 1900s, raising chickens (and eggs) was an important industry in the city.
During World War II
the town population expanded when the Columbia Steel
plant was built. An annual summer celebration in the city is still called "Steel Days" in honor of the economic importance of the mill, which closed in November 2001. The steel mill was located approximately six miles (10 km) southeast from town, on land on the east shore of Utah Lake.
American Fork built a city hospital in 1937. A new facility was built in 1950, which was sold to Intermountain Health Care in 1977, which in turn replaced that hospital with a new facility in 1980.
The 1992 film The Sandlot
was mostly filmed on the Wasatch Front
. The carnival scene was filmed in American Fork on State Street by Robinson Park.
Several scenes from the 1984 movie "Footloose
" were also filmed in American Fork including the opening scene inside the church, the front porch scene with Kevin Bacon and his family, and the gas station scene in which Bacon refuels his Volkswagen.
The Sam White Bridge
is scheduled to be completed in May 2011.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 9.2 square miles (23.9 km²), all of it land.
of 2010, there were 26,263 people in 7,098 households residing in the city. The population density
was 2,853.7 people per square mile (1,101.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.8% White (non-Hispanic), 7.4% Hispanic or Latino. 0.9% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 0.4% African American, and 2.4% from two or more races. 3.5% of the population were foreign-born.
37.7% of the population were under 18 years old (10.6% under 5); 8.7% were 65 or older. 49.9% of the population were female. 89.5% of persons over 25 had high school degrees, and 30.9% had Bachelor's degrees or higher.
The median income for a household in the city was $67,124. 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line. The home ownership rate was 77.5%. There were 7,598 housing units. The median value of owner-occupied housing units was $210,600.
In 2007 there were 2,754 businesses in the city, with total retail sales over $724 million.
While the majority of the population are members of LDS Church, there are several other faith communities in the city. The Community Presbyterian Church of American Fork was organized in 1877. In 1973 St. Peter's Catholic Parish was organized in American Fork. Additional faith groups or churches include Jehovah's Witness, Calvary Chapel, and Faith Independent Baptist Church.
and include a senior high school, junior high school, and five elementary schools. Private schools include the American Heritage School. Provo College
, a private, for-profit educational institution that specializes in career education, has a satellite campus in American Fork. The school offers several Associate degrees and diplomas.
Utah County, Utah
Utah County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. As of 2000, the population was 368,536 and by 2008 was estimated at 530,837. It was named for the Spanish name for the Ute Indians. The county seat and largest city is Provo...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, at the foot of Mount Timpanogos
Mount Timpanogos
Mount Timpanogos, sometimes informally referred to as Timp, is the second highest mountain in Utah's Wasatch Range. Timpanogos rises to an elevation of 11,749 feet above sea level in the Uinta National Forest...
in the Wasatch Range
Wasatch Range
The Wasatch Range is a mountain range that stretches approximately from the Utah-Idaho border, south through central Utah in the western United States. It is generally considered the western edge of the greater Rocky Mountains, and the eastern edge of the Great Basin region...
, north of Utah Lake
Utah Lake
Utah Lake is a freshwater lake in the U.S. state of Utah. On the western side of Utah Valley, the lake is overlooked by Mount Timpanogos and Mount Nebo. The lake's only river outlet, the Jordan River, is a tributary of the Great Salt Lake and is highly regulated with pumps. Evaporation accounts...
. It is part of the Provo
Provo, Utah
Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south...
–Orem
Orem, Utah
Orem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the north-central part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Lindon, and Vineyard and is about south of Salt Lake City. Orem is one of the principal cities of the Provo-Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Utah and...
, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area
Provo-Orem metropolitan area
The Provo-Orem Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Utah, anchored by the cities of Provo and Orem...
. The population was 26,263 at the 2010 census, nearly a 20% growth since the 2000 census. It has been rapidly growing since the 1970s.
History
The area around Utah LakeUtah Lake
Utah Lake is a freshwater lake in the U.S. state of Utah. On the western side of Utah Valley, the lake is overlooked by Mount Timpanogos and Mount Nebo. The lake's only river outlet, the Jordan River, is a tributary of the Great Salt Lake and is highly regulated with pumps. Evaporation accounts...
was used as a seasonal hunting and fishing ground by the Ute Indians. American Fork was settled in 1850 by Mormon pioneers, and incorporated as Lake City in 1852. The first settlers had been Stephen Chipman (grandfather of Stephen L. Chipman
Stephen L. Chipman
Stephen L. Chipman was a member of the Utah State Legislature in 1903 and a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah County. He was also the first president of the Salt Lake Temple who was not also an apostle in the LDS Church.Chipman studied at Brigham Young Academy as...
, who was a prominent citizen around the start of the 20th Century), Arza Adams, Ira Eldredge, John Eldredge and their families.
The first settlers of American Fork had lived in scattered conditions along the American Fork River. However, by the 1850s, tensions between the settlers and Native Americans was increasing. In 1853, Daniel H. Wells
Daniel H. Wells
Daniel Hanmer Wells was an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the third mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, United States....
, the head of the Nauvoo Legion
Nauvoo Legion
The Nauvoo Legion was a militia originally organized by the Latter Day Saints to defend the city of Nauvoo, Illinois, . To curry political favor with the ambiguously-political Saints, the Illinois state legislature granted Nauvoo a liberal city charter that gave the Nauvoo Legion extraordinary...
(the Utah Territorial Militia at the time), instructed settlers to move into specific forts. At a meeting on July 23, 1853 at the schoolhouse in American Fork, Lorenzo Snow
Lorenzo Snow
Lorenzo Snow was the fifth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1898 to his death. Snow was the last president of the LDS Church in the nineteenth century.-Family:...
and Parley P. Pratt
Parley P. Pratt
Parley Parker Pratt, Sr. was a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and an original member of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1835 until his murder in 1857. He served in the Quorum with his younger brother, Orson Pratt...
convinced the settlers to follow Wells' directions and all move together into a central fort. A fort was built of 37 acres (149,733.8 m²) to which the settlers located, although only parts of the wall were built to eight feet high, and none were built to the original plan of twelve feet high.
Settlers changed the name from Lake City to American Fork in 1860. It was renamed American Fork after the American Fork River which runs through it. They also did this to avoid confusion with Salt Lake City. Most residents were farmers and merchants during its early history. By the 1860s, American Fork had established a public school
Public education
State schools, also known in the United States and Canada as public schools,In much of the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, the terms 'public education', 'public school' and 'independent school' are used for private schools, that is, schools...
, making them the first community in the territory of Utah to offer public education to its citizens. In the 1870s, American Fork served as a rail access point for mining activities in American Fork Canyon
American Fork Canyon
American Fork Canyon is a canyon located in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. The canyon is famous for the Timpanogos Cave National Monument, which resides on its south side...
. American Fork had "a literal social feud" with the town of Lehi
Lehi, Utah
-Attractions:Lehi Roller MillsLehi Roller Mills was founded in 1906 by a co-op of farmers. George G. Robinson purchased the mill in 1910, and since then it has remained in the family. It is run today by grandson R. Sherman Robinson....
due to the Utah Sugar Company choosing Lehi as the factory building site in 1890, instead of American Fork. There were also several mercantile businesses in American Fork, such as the American Fork Co-operative Association and Chipman Mercantile. For several decades in the 1900s, raising chickens (and eggs) was an important industry in the city.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the town population expanded when the Columbia Steel
Geneva Steel
Geneva Steel was a steel mill located in Vineyard, Utah, founded during World War II to enhance national steel output. It operated from December 1944 to November 2001...
plant was built. An annual summer celebration in the city is still called "Steel Days" in honor of the economic importance of the mill, which closed in November 2001. The steel mill was located approximately six miles (10 km) southeast from town, on land on the east shore of Utah Lake.
American Fork built a city hospital in 1937. A new facility was built in 1950, which was sold to Intermountain Health Care in 1977, which in turn replaced that hospital with a new facility in 1980.
The 1992 film The Sandlot
The Sandlot
The Sandlot is a 1993 American comedy-drama sports film about a group of young baseball players during the summer of 1962. The film was filmed in Utah and directed by David M. Evans...
was mostly filmed on the Wasatch Front
Wasatch Front
The Wasatch Front is a metropolitan region in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Utah. It consists of a chain of cities and towns stretched along the Wasatch Range from approximately Santaquin in the south to Brigham City in the north...
. The carnival scene was filmed in American Fork on State Street by Robinson Park.
Several scenes from the 1984 movie "Footloose
Footloose
Footloose is a 1984 American musical-drama film directed by Herbert Ross. It tells the story of Ren McCormack , an upbeat Chicago teen who moves to a small town in which, as a result of the efforts of a local minister , dancing and rock music have been banned.The film is loosely based on events...
" were also filmed in American Fork including the opening scene inside the church, the front porch scene with Kevin Bacon and his family, and the gas station scene in which Bacon refuels his Volkswagen.
The Sam White Bridge
Sam White Bridge
The Sam White Bridge is a reinforced concrete and steel overpass beam bridge which crosses Interstate 15 in American Fork, Utah. The original bridge had only underpass clearance and was named for Sam White, a former homesteader in the nearby city of Pleasant Grove...
is scheduled to be completed in May 2011.
Geography
The elevation is 4566 feet (1,391.7 m) above sea level.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 9.2 square miles (23.9 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2010, there were 26,263 people in 7,098 households residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,853.7 people per square mile (1,101.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.8% White (non-Hispanic), 7.4% Hispanic or Latino. 0.9% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 0.4% African American, and 2.4% from two or more races. 3.5% of the population were foreign-born.
37.7% of the population were under 18 years old (10.6% under 5); 8.7% were 65 or older. 49.9% of the population were female. 89.5% of persons over 25 had high school degrees, and 30.9% had Bachelor's degrees or higher.
The median income for a household in the city was $67,124. 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line. The home ownership rate was 77.5%. There were 7,598 housing units. The median value of owner-occupied housing units was $210,600.
In 2007 there were 2,754 businesses in the city, with total retail sales over $724 million.
Religious history
The first ward of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in American Fork was organized in 1851 with Leonard E. Harrington as bishop. As of 2009 there are six stakes headquartered in the city.While the majority of the population are members of LDS Church, there are several other faith communities in the city. The Community Presbyterian Church of American Fork was organized in 1877. In 1973 St. Peter's Catholic Parish was organized in American Fork. Additional faith groups or churches include Jehovah's Witness, Calvary Chapel, and Faith Independent Baptist Church.
Education
Public schools in American Fork are part of the Alpine School DistrictAlpine School District
Alpine School District is the primary school district in northern Utah County in Utah, including the cities of Lindon, Orem, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Alpine, Highland, Lehi, Saratoga Springs, and Eagle Mountain. It includes all grades from kindergarten all through high school...
and include a senior high school, junior high school, and five elementary schools. Private schools include the American Heritage School. Provo College
Provo College
Provo College is a private, for-profit educational institution that specializes in career education. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges . Provo College offers Associate degrees and Diplomas in fields such as nursing, medical assisting, criminal...
, a private, for-profit educational institution that specializes in career education, has a satellite campus in American Fork. The school offers several Associate degrees and diplomas.
Notable residents
- Paul Dayton BaileyPaul Dayton BaileyPaul Dayton Bailey was the owner/publisher of Westernlore Press and a writer of many books himself that focused on the Western American experience and, in particular, Latter-day Saint history.- Early years :...
- 1906-1987, author and owner of Westernlore Press - Merrill J. BatemanMerrill J. BatemanMerrill Joseph Bateman is an emeritus general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . From 2003 to 2007, Bateman was a member of the Presidency of the Quorums of the Seventy of the church...
- 1936-, emeritus general authorityGeneral authorityIn The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a general authority is a member of certain leadership organizations who are given administrative and ecclesiastical authority over the church...
of LDS Church and former President of Brigham Young UniversityBrigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students... - Reva Beck BosoneReva Beck BosoneReva Zilpha Beck Bosone was a U.S. Representative from Utah. She was the first woman elected to Congress from Utah....
- 1895-1983, first female U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Utah - Joseph Barlow ForbesJoseph Barlow ForbesJoseph Barlow Forbes was a member of the Forbes family and a pioneering educator in early Utah history.-Early years:...
- 1840-1927, schoolteacher, member of Forbes familyForbes familyThe Forbes family is a wealthy extended American family originating in Boston. The family's fortune originates from trading between North America and China in the 19th century plus other investments in the same period. The name descends from Scottish immigrants, and can be traced back to Sir John... - Debra FotheringhamDebra FotheringhamDebra Fotheringham is an American singer/songwriter hailing from American Fork, Utah.- Biography :Debra Fotheringham, the ninth of eleven children, grew up in American Fork, Utah. Her father had been a professional jazz saxophonist earlier in his life...
- singer/songwriter - Jeremy GuthrieJeremy GuthrieJeremy Shane Guthrie is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.-Early life and education:...
- pitcher for the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league... - Gary Herbert - 1947-, RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, current Governor of Utah - James LeVoy SorensonJames LeVoy SorensonJames LeVoy Sorenson was the founder of Sorenson Companies, a parent company of 32 corporations.A noted philanthropist, he was the richest man in Utah with an estimated net worth of $4.5 billion at the time of his death....
- 1921-2008, medical inventor - Brandon SandersonBrandon SandersonBrandon Sanderson is an American fantasy author. A Nebraska native, he currently resides in American Fork, Utah. He earned his Master's degree in Creative Writing in 2005 from Brigham Young University, where he was on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine...
- 1975-, fantasy author