Layton historical tidbits: From loose pony problems to no gambling and a mining craze

                                             Farm animals in modern day Layton City.

Some historical tidbits from Layton's past:

-A common problem in Layton territory in 1861 were loose ponies. A March 20, 1861 story in the Deseret News stated that “scrub ponies” were running at large in the northern portion of Davis County and causing problems.

The article stated that ponies roaming loose was against state law, as such can infringe on the rights of land owners.

-“No Gambling” was a Nov. 15, 1935 headline in the Salt Lake Telegram newspaper. “A decision of the Layton town board that all slot machines and other “nickel” and “penny-n-the-slot” gambling devices will not be tolerated within the town limits it was announced,” the story stated. Clay Adams, town marshal, was authorized to confiscate any such machines.

-Mining fever had struck in Layton in 1895, according to a June 6 story in the Davis County Clipper. “The Layton people have got the mining fever quite badly just now; mining being the chief theme for discussion everywhere by old and young,” the story stated.

It also stated that two new mining claims were made in the mountains east of town, resulting in $4 in gold being found, plus a trace of silver.

Layton rancher Blaine Adams herds his sheep westward, down Gentile Street from his pastures above Fort Lane to some grazing land near the Del Adams home in west Layton, in the late 1930s.
                                                          (Photo from the Heritage Museum of Layton's Collection.)

-Layton used to have some large stockyards on the south end of town, just west of Main Street. An Oct. 31, 1927 story in the Ogden Standard-Examiner reported that the stock yards were going to be moved northwest of its current location, as to be further away from the State Highway.

Layton was reported to be one of the most important cattle shipping points in the state, with 5,000 cattle being fed and shipped from the Layton stockyards each year. That equals a $300,000 investment for local ranchers. More lambs too are being fed each year at the stockyards.