Starting with the first Native American bands to camp in what is now Davis County; this lecture will cover the settlement of the city we now know as Layton, from 1850 until the City was incorporated in 1920. Highlighted will be the early settlers, early businesses, and early agricultural development.

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With today's modern transportation, it is difficult to appreciate how important the railroads were to the development of Layton City. Starting in 1870, there were four railroads that ran through Layton. These railroads moved agricultural products and manufactured goods to markets all across the United States. Without the railroads, Layton could not have developed into the community it is today.

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In May of 1920, Layton City was incorporated. This lecture will cover the events that led up to the city’s incorporation and trace the people, places, and events that started the City on its Century of Progress.

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What did they do before television? This lecture will trace the homemade entertainment of Layton's citizens; from the first fiddlers, to the early brass bands, to formal dances, and the multiplex movies. The citizens of Layton were very creative in providing a well-rounded social scene.

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Before Layton became a city there were several industries that contributed to the growth of the region. At one time, there were four flour mills processing the various grains grown in the region. There were also three canning companies who processed corn, peas, beans, and tomatoes for consumption throughout the Western United States. None of these industries exist today. This lecture will explore how these ‘lost industries’ contributed to the Layton of the past.

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The attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941 changed the history of Layton and Davis County forever. With the advent of war, Davis County saw the rapid buildup of military defense facilities. Hill Field, the Arsenal, and the Navy Supply Depot became major employers. To house the workers needed in the defense industry, a major military housing project was installed; thus Verdeland Park. A park of 400 units that changed Layton as drastically as Pearl Harbor changed America.

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In 1915, the Layton Sugar Company processing factory was opened. This facility produced refined sugar made from sugar beets. At one time, the Layton Sugar Company was the largest employer in Davis County. Local farmers raised the beets and local residents processed those beets into sugar. Mountain Brand Sugar, produced by the Layton Sugar Company, was sold in stores as far away as California and Montana.

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Taking the history of Layton in twenty year increments, this lecture will cover the civic, agricultural, industrial, and social history of Layton City. Included in this lecture will be pictures of the City from 1920 to 2020.

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