Brigham City Co-op

The Brigham City Co-op was one of the most successful cooperative enterprises of the Mormons in Utah.

In 1990 five buildings associated with the Brigham City Co-op survived: the Mercantile Store (1891), the Flour Mill (1856), the Woolen Mill (1869–70), the Planing Mill (c.1876), and the Relief Society Granary (c.1877).

Mercantile store


The Brigham City Mercantile and Manufacturing Association Mercantile Store, at 5 N. Main St. in Brigham City, Utah, also known as the Brigham City Co-op Mercantile Store or the First Security Bank, was built during 1890-1891. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

It was designed by Ogden, Utah architects St. James, Woods & Co. It has a 50x80 ft room on its third floor which was used for dances and other events.

The building "is significant primarily for its association with the Mormon Church-sponsored Brigham City Mercantile and Manufacturing Association (the Co-op). The Co-op was a highly successful socio-economic system that dominated the local economy during most of its years of operation, 1864-1895. It was also a model for Mormon cooperatives established throughout the Utah Territory in the 1860s-80s. Most of the other co-ops failed quickly, and none approached the level of success attained in Brigham City."

A fire at the store on December 19, 1894 contributed to failure of the Co-op in 1895. The building later served as a bank.

The NRHP nomination states the building "is also architecturally significant as the best example of Victorian Eclectic commercial architecture in Brigham City."

Flouring mill


The Box Elder flouring mill was built in 1857 and served as a flour mill into the 1870s. It was a two-story 30x39 ft building. The building was sold and began use as a monument factory in the 1890s, and remains a monument factory in 1989. It was expanded by additions during about 1892 to 1933, including a c.1933 two-story frame addition which is 32x120 ft in plan.

The mill had portholes intended for defense from Indian attacks, in its first story walls on the west, north and south sides. These were changed into windows and a door by John H. Bott during his ownership during the 1890s to 1914.

It has also been known as the Gristmill, and as Snow and Smith Mill and as Bott's Monument Factory. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Box Elder Flouring Mill, and was delisted in 2023.

It was water-powered by Box Elder Creek.

Granary


The granary was built in 1877. It was NRHP-listed as Granary of the Relief Society in 1990.

Planing mill


The planing mill was built in 1876. It is NRHP-listed as Planing Mill of Brigham City Mercantile and Manufacturing Association. It was also known as Merrell's Planing Mill.

It was water-powered.

John F. Merrell, a worker at the mill, obtained ownership in 1892 and operated it until 1931.