Restoring Pleasant Grove’s G

A large portion of the history of the G was taken from a series of news articles written by E. Mark Bezzant for The Pleasant Grove Review in 1994 in recognition of the G’s 75th anniversary as well as the Timpanogos Times in 2020 recognizing the 100th anniversary of the G. Bezzant was the debate coach at Pleasant Grove High School in 1979. He and the Varsity Debate Team researched and complied the history of the G.

One-hundred and two years! That is how long the G has been on the mountain!

In the spring of 1920, the world had just suffered the effects of the Spanish Flu along with the first world war. One can only imagine the insurmountable grief and suffering from both of those historic events.

It’s no wonder that David Gourley, then principal of Pleasant Grove High School, had the brilliant idea to try to rally the students. Given the high school was about to get a new building, Gourley asked the student body if they would like to see a letter G placed on the mountain to coincide with the new school.

Back then, the student body called themselves the Grovarians – hence the letter G. Several styles of the G were discussed, but, to keep the same look as the letterman jackets, the block G won the vote.

Junius Hayes, a math teacher at the high school, wore many hats as he was also the mayor of Pleasant Grove and an accomplished surveyor. He enlisted the help of the senior class and hiked up the mountain to determine the best placement of the G.

They chose to build the G in the middle of “Little Mountain” just above the first flats. Sie Kemp, a local barber and self-taught architect, also helped develop a model of the block G.

So, on May 10, 1920, Principal Gourley gave approval of the design and permitted those students who had enough credits to hike up with their picks, axes, shovels and grubbing hoes to clear the site. In only one day, the entire area for this massive letter was cleared. Rocks were placed in the area. According to one senior, Paul Adamson, “The whole mountain was covered with kids carrying rocks.”

Charlie Holman, another student at the school, thought it might be better to use wheelbarrows. Ed Warburton took his horse and helped Charlie up the mountain with his wheelbarrow. Principal Gourley loved this idea and directed others to get their wheelbarrows to quicken the work. Pack horses were also used to carry up lime, a barrel and a spray pump.

Each year following the establishment of this icon, a day was set aside to go refurbish the block letter. Seniors were given a “sluff” day by the Board of Education for “G Day” to maintain their work of art.

The first lighting of the G occurred in the spring of 1927. The high school basketball team was headed into the state tournament led by Coach Harry Richards. Students thought that lighting the G would raise school spirit. They began gathering cans, rags and crankcase oil.

Once they arrived at the G, cans were placed around the outer edge of the letter. Some oil and a rag were placed in each can; the rags were intended to act as a wick and the oil was the fuel. They quickly raced down the mountain to see how it looked from below.

Since its construction, there have been numerous times the G has had to face repairs. Some people even

threatened to remove it, deeming it an eyesore. Luckily, several defenders of the G stepped up to keep it alive.

This year, we are borrowing the idea from our neighboring Y mountain to improve the G more substantially. Plans are underway to fill in the G completely with concrete and to embed LED lights into the structure.

A joint committee has been formed comprising members of the Alpine School District and representatives of the City of Pleasant Grove. The mayor plans to spearhead the construction efforts alongside Horrocks Engineers. Pleasant Grove High School has already begun fundraising efforts. Like in 1920, it will take a community to rebuild this landmark.

If you’d like to contribute to this endeavor, please donate using the QR code on this page or visit the high school to make an in-person donation.

SALE WITH ACE REWARDS CARD* YOUR CHOICE $ 12.99 - $3 3 Locations $9 99 each Orem

Craftsman® Tools & Accessories • Craftsman® 2 Pc. Tool Bag Set • Craftsman® 10 Pc. SAE or Metric 3/8" Drive Socket Wrench Set 1550 N State Street • Craftsman® 11 Pc. SAE or Metric 1/4" Drive Socket Wrench Set • Craftsman® 7 Pc. SAE or Metric Combination Wrench Set • Craftsman® 5 Pc. 3/8" Drive Socket Accessory Set 2297786 , 2307262 , 2307270 , 2335321 , 2335339 , 385-330-2221 2392413 , 2392421 , 2896702 Limit 5 at this price.

RED HOT BUYS VALID JUNE 1–29 $399 & Up

We have

FREE BBQ’s Delivery Gas, Charcoal & Smokers Come In Today!

Pleasant Grove 330 S Main St. 801-785-2221

SALE WITH ACE REWARDS CARD*$ 89.99 -$10 $7999 Highland 5353 W. Parkway

Craftsman® 16 Gal. Wet/Dry VacEast Drive 2560308 Limit 2 at this price. 801-763-2221

YOUR CHOICE

$69.99 WITH ACE REWARDS CARD*- $10 $59 99 each

Craftsman® Power Tools

• V20 Lithium-Ion Hand Vacuum • V20 Lithium-Ion Compact Impact Driver • Corded Reciprocating Saw • V20 Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver • V20 Lithium-Ion Battery Pack 2/Pk. • Corded Jig Saw 1015228 , 2004675 , 2827483 , 2827582 , 2829273 , 2834323 Limit 4 at this price.

SALE $ 249.99 WITH ACE REWARDS CARD*- $50 $199 99

Craftsman® 308 Pc. Mechanic’s Tool Set

2009987 Limit 2 at this price.

image to come

YOUR CHOICE

SALE

69¢ each

Ace Bird Suet, 11 Oz.

Assorted fl avors. 8039379 , 8039376 , 8039377 , 8039378

BUY ONE

GET OnE

DYNAMIC PROMOTION

Kaytee® 8 Lb. Birders’ Blend® , 7 Lb. Songbird Blend™ or 5 Lb. Nut & Fruit Blend™ Wild Bird Food

8062614 , 81053 , 8123820

MIX & MATCH!

SALE $ 29.99 WITH ACE REWARDS CARD*- $5 $24 99

Ace SmartFLO Max® 50' Premium Garden Hose

7637085 Limit 2 at this price. 100', 7637028 ... SALE $46.99 - $10 With Ace Rewards Card,* You Pay $36.99. Limit 2 at this price.

June Month Long A P1 2210601ML, 001, Versions: CA,DS,FN,NR,NW,SO,TR

SALE $ 12.99 WITH ACE REWARDS CARD*- $3 $9 99

Stanley® FatMax® 25' x 1.25" Tape Measure

2071439 Limit 5 at this price.