Garden of Eden

Eden Greenhouse in Hveragerdi, Iceland burned yesterday, Fire broke out shortly after midnight on 22 July 2011. The building was a total loss. Bardur Gunnarsson said "it is a sad evening in Hvergerdi. Eden has been serving our people for over fifty years and is gone just like that in a moment of a one evening."
I last visited Eden in 2005, it was closed in 2010 when I was in Iceland. I took the picture below in 2005.

Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland

Only Heimaey of the 15 Westman Islands is inhabited. The climate in Vestmannaeyjar is some what changeable, and frequently windy. The average temperature in the winter is about 2 C. and in the summer 19.7 C. The Westman Islands are traditionally one of the most imprtant fishing communities in Iceland, with only about 2% of the population of Iceland the islanders are responsible for about 10% of the annual catch.
In the early mourning of 23 January 1973 a volcanic eruption began near Mount Helgafell. Some 400 of the islands 1350 homes were buried under volcanic ash. With several being distoried. Somehow only one life was lost.

Many of the Icelandic emigrants to Utah came from Vestmannaeyjar. Including my own Great Grandfather, Eyjolfur Eriksson. Eyjolfur was born 26 February 1854 at Nyibaer, Holt undir Eyjafjollum, Rangarvalla. He worked as a fisherman and later was a sailor. He moved to Vestmannaeyjar and lived at Holshus in Vestmannaeyjar.
16 July 2011 an exhibit was opened in the library at Vestmannaeyjar honoring the emigrants to Utah. Fred Woods wrote to me; "The opening of the exhibit went so well. The spirit was poured out in great abundance. 86 Icelandic Saints were in attendance. Our dream came true for a permanent museum exhibit at Vestmannaeyjar."
Thanks again for all your help.

Eyjafjallajökull

Eyjafjallajökull Eruption Exhibition

Spanish Fork, Utah - Icelandic Memorial

Icelandic Memorial
800 East Canyon Road, Spanish Fork, Utah
Dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley, 25 June 2005

In 1938 the Icelandic Association of Utah along with Daughters of Utah Pioneers placed a beautiful monument to honor the first Icelandic setters to North America at 800 E. Canyon Rd. in Spanish Fork. That monument honors the first sixteen who came to Utah.
The Icelandic Association of Utah board of directors felt the desire to honor all of those who immigrated to Utah by erecting a “wall of honor” to name each of those who sacrificed so dearly. In addition to the “wall of honor” the grounds around the monument have been up-dated by providing wheel-chair access, new landscaping and benches, a rock from Iceland and story plaques that tells the 150 year story of the Icelandic settlement in Utah, in 8 short paragraphs.
The monument is an inviting place to visit and remember. This project was completed for the Sesquicentennial Celebration June 23-26, 2005.

GUÐRÚN EINARSDÓTTIR

Gudrun was born 5 October 1875 in Vestmannaeyjar, the daughter of Einar Jonsson, born 16 August 1839 at Samastadir, Breidabolstadir i Fljotshlid, Rangarvalla and died 25 May 1900 in Vestmannaeyjar; and Gudrun Jonsdottir, born 24 July 1849 at Stora-Mork Storidalur undir Eyjafjollum, Rangarvalla, died 8 May 1931 in Spanish Fork, Utah.
In 1880 Gudrun immigrated to Utah with her parents. They traveled from Liverpool on the steamship Wisconsin leaving on 1 May 1880; they arrived in New York about 12 May. They crossed the continent by railroad and arrived in Spanish Fork about 21 May 1880. Just before arriving at New York, Gudrun’s mother gave birth to a baby boy named Nicholas Wisconsin Johnson. Gudrun died 2 November 1889 and is buried in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.

Lynette Johnson Renolds

Lynette Johnson Reynolds passed away, Click here to read her obituary.

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