The Progressive Farmer
Wheeler Historic Farm represents the best farming methods of the Progressive Era. During this time horse-drawn agriculture had developed to its highest form. Henry Wheeler was typical of the progressive farmers because he liked to use the most up-to-date farming methods.
Farming in Utah was just beginning to operate on a cash basis in the late 1800’s. Traditional farming methods were being improved by modern agricultural research based on scientific experimentation. This was also the age of great mechanical inventions to ease farm work.
Although a family farm still concentrated on growing crops and raising animals to meet most of the family’s needs, it would also produce things to sell for cash.
A Description of Salt Lake Marketing in 1894 compared with Henry Wheeler’s dairy and ice business shows the change from surplus bartering to commercial agriculture. Between 8 and 9 o’clock in the mornings First South Street between East Temple and West Temple presented a scene altogether remindful of “market day” in one of the shire towns of England. At that time the road on both sides was lined with market wagons just in from the rural districts laden with fresh vegetables and fruits of the finest quality.
Contrast this Age Old Practice of Marketing with that of the progressive farmer who, like the Wheelers, most likely had established business routes which brought the produce to the customers’ doorsteps in exchange for gold coin. Henry Wheeler had such a route with regular customers. He not only supplied his neighbors, but had an established dairy route through the nearby community of Murray. In addition to dairy products Henry Wheeler also formed the Rosebud Dairy Ice Company and the family delivered blocks of ice to the iceboxes of their customers.
The Progressive Farmer, therefore, sought regular customers who could pay in cash rather than scrip or barter. He would also seek to produce products which no one else could or would supply. This, in addition to improving his methods and land, set the progressive farmer apart from more traditional types and enabled him to build better homes for his family and to purchase the latest conveniences for home and farm.