About the Utah Icelanders by David A. Ashby

* The Icelandic settlement in Utah was the first permanent Icelandic settlement in North America.
* The Icelandic Association of Utah was founded in 1897.
* Iceland Days are held annually on the fourth Saturday in June, at Spanish Fork, Utah.

* For questions about the Icelanders that settled in Utah contact David A. Ashby at
DAA@q.com

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Iceland Monument in Spanish Fork, Utah


In 1938, a lighthouse monument honoring the Icelanders that settled in Utah was built on the east bench in Spanish Fork at 800 East and Canyon Road. Andrew Jensen, a historian for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the monument on 2 August 1938, as part of the annual Iceland Days celebration.


J. Victor Leifson and Eleanor B. Jarvis were co-chairs for the monument project. Gesli Bearnson donated the land and John K. Johnson designed the monument. The lighthouse reflects the seafaring background of the Icelanders.

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