Farmington’s Historic Preservation Commission honors the city’s motto, “Historic Beginnings,” by introducing a new program for residents who own buildings or structures that date back to Farmington’s origin. 

The Farmington Historic Plaque program will help identify historic structures built at least 70 years ago with a plaque that can be placed on the property. Residents can apply for a plaque that can be mounted on the home, a fence or a post, for $100.

“The program highlights and celebrates the city’s rich heritage,” said David Barney, chairman of the Farmington City Historic Preservation Commission. “We’ve got to keep the history alive.”

The plaques are 9”x13” and feature the date the structure was built, the address and a brief description of the building’s historical significance. 

Darren DeGraw has been a member of the commission for eight years. He became the first homeowner in the city to purchase a plaque and place it on his property. His guest home at 121 W. 600 North was built by the city’s founder, Hector C. Haight. DeGraw renovated the structure to honor its heritage.

“We want to preserve the homes for future generations so they can have access to great architectural work that was done in Farmington,” DeGraw said. “They’re so unique in how they were put together. We want to preserve that for everyone to see.”

Upon request, the commission can assist property owners with research on the site’s history and every application will be verified for historic significance. Those interested in the Farmington Historic Plaque Program can visit https://farmington.utah.gov/i-want-to/learn-history-of-farmington/historic-marker-program/ to apply for a plaque. For questions about the Plaque Program, contact Barney at [email protected] or 801-706-7512. 

DeGraw hopes residents get interested in historic preservation to understand the community’s history. The program is based on a similar project in Ogden that’s had a lot of success. With two historic locations in Farmington, the Clark Lane National Historic District and the Farmington Main Street Historic District, the commission hopes this program will build on that legacy. 

“It doesn’t have to be a home, it could be a barn or another structure,” Barney said. “We came up with a plaque design we thought people would want to have. A lot of these homeowners know a lot about the historical nature of their home.” λ