Grant Soap Company
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This page was last updated on April 2, 2025.
Overview
"The first industrial building on the block (Block 12, Plat A) was the Utah Pickle Co, originally built as the Grant Soap Works, by Heber J. Grant in 1893." (Rachel Quist)
Timeline
May 3, 1893
The Grant Soap Company filed its articles of incorporation on May 3, 1893. Officers and ditrectors included Frank A. Grant (president), John Henry Smith (vice president), Heber J. Grant (secretary-treasurer) Richard S. Grant, Ernest Grant Rognon and Joseph H. Grant. (Deseret News, May 3, 1893, "this afternoon")
"Grant Bros. Soap Company" (Salt Lake Herald, May 5, 1893)
The Grant Soap Company would be manufacturing two brand names of laundry soaps using a newly patented process. "Co-op," which would be available exclusively through Z.C.M.I., and "Beehive," which was to be widely available. Two brands of "highly perfumed" toilet soaps would also be produced, "White Windsor" and "The Glycerine" matching any product currently available in drug stores. The company's agents began visiting every home asking each housewife to purchase a sample for 25 cents, to introduce the product and exhibit its superior quality to products being imported at the time. (Desert News May 13, 1893)
Land for a new factory had already been purchased from Thomas Adams on Third West between Seventh and Eighth South, with a Union Pacific spur already in place. The factory would produce 300 boxes per day. B. F. Grant was manager of the new company. (Desert News May 13, 1893) (part of Lot 4 in Block 12)
June 3, 1893
Grant Soap company took an option on the entire ten-year production of tallow from the Utah Slaughtering company. (Salt Lake Herald, June 3, 1893)
July 7, 1893
"The Grant Soap Company's factory, now being erected on Third West, between Seventh and Eighth South streets, by Tuddenham & Co., will cost about $10,000." (Salt Lake Herald, July 7, 1893)
December 3, 1893
"The Grant Soap company will take possession of its new factory building on Third West between Seventh and Eighth South streets the latter part of the month. A forty-horse power boiler is now being put in, and the other machinery will soon be in place. The company yesterday made a handsome shipment of common and fancy soaps to Butte, Mont., and has received several more large orders from abroad." (Salt Lake Herald, December 3, 1893)
January 11, 1894
"Tomorrow the last run of the Grant soap factory in the present quarters will be made and on the 25th of the month the removal to the new factory building on Third West and Eighth South will be commenced. The structure is now nearly completed and by the time the first machinery is ready to be placed everything will be in proper shape for its reception. The company yesterday received a large order for soap from the Austin Mining & Milling company, of Austin. Nevada." (Salt Lake Herald, January 11, 1894)
January 26, 1894
"Yesterday afternoon the last boiler of the Grant Soap company was set in the new factory on Third West between Seventh and Eighth South and the last of the machinery was moved from the old quarters near the Union Pacific depot. On the first of the coming month the factory will be ready for full operation." (Salt Lake Herald, January 26, 1894)
May 7, 1897
A special stockholders meeting of the Grant Soap company was held. (Salt Lake Herald, May 7, 1897)
December 30, 1897
J. F. Grant resigned as manager of Grant Soap company to accept a position with another well-known local company. (Salt Lake Herald, December 30, 1897)
August 26, 1898
"By removing boards from the windows, culprits, presumably boys, have gained entrance into the factory of the Grant Soap company, 751 South Third West, which is standing idle at present. The police yesterday notified the company of the condition of the premises. but as yet no loss of property has been reported." (Salt Lake Herald, August 26, 1898)
November 22, 1903
The Grant Soap company sold its property (7.5 x 10 rods; 123 feet x 165 feet) in Lot 4, Block 12 to Arthur M. Goshen. (Salt Lake Herald, November 22, 1903)
The 1898 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map for Salt Lake City (Sheet 28) shows the "Grant Soap Company" at 751 South Third West.
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