B & K Tannery - Utah Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

The B & K Tannery, also known as the Big Kanyon Tannery, was established in 1852 near this site by Brigham Young, Ferramorz Little and John Winder. The area was first called Canyon Creek; then Big Kanyon, and later Parley's Canyon. By 1862, the Tannery was producing good quality leather using agents such as oak bark and coal oil in the process. A small settlement was built nearby to accommodate the tannery workers which included a school for the children of the manager and the workmen. Local artisans used the leather produced to manufacture boots, harnesses and saddles. The coal oil was obtained from a well, known as the Tar Springs near Yellow Creek, which was located at the site of present Evanston, Wyoming. The use of coal oil created a softeness in the leather that brought exhibitors three out of five of the first prizes in the territorial fair of 1862. Leather from this tannery was used in the shoe shop Brigham Young established on his own premises. Two things lead to the demise of the tannery; the scarcity of the native bark needed for tanning, and the fact that the newly installed railroad brought in leather that was cheaper than could be manufactored here.

Marker Name: B & K Tannery Marker Type: City County: Salt Lake City: Salt Lake City Group Responsible for Placement: Sons of Utah Pioneers Date Dedicated: November20, 1985 Marker Number: None Web link(s) for additional information: http://history.utah.gov/apps/markers/detailed_results.php?markerid=2456 Addtional Information: Not listed

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