Our History: The Story of Welby Elementary
Welcome to our school history page! Welby Elementary has a rich legacy in the South Jordan area, built on a foundation of dedicated staff, community support, and proud Wildcat spirit.
The Origin of Our Name: Arthur E. Welby (1855–1909)
Many families wonder where the name "Welby" comes from. Our school was actually named after an old railroad town called Welby, which was once located near 9000 South and 4200 West. That town was named in honor of Mr. Arthur E. Welby, a prominent figure in Utah's early transportation history.
Born in George Town, South Africa, Mr. Welby moved to Salt Lake City in May 1887. He quickly advanced through the ranks of the Rio Grande Western Railroad, serving as chief clerk, superintendent, and eventually general superintendent. His exceptional leadership and service to the railroad left a lasting mark on the geography of our local valley, eventually giving our school its name.
The Founding and Dedication (1979–1981)
Welby Elementary opened its doors in 1979. A few years later, on Wednesday, March 4, 1981, the school held its official Dedication and Open House at our current location on 9580 South 4130 West.
Our founding principal, Clell U. McMullin, led a dedicated team of teachers, support staff, and active PTA members to establish the warm, student-centered culture we still enjoy today. At that opening dedication, a philosophy by Dr. Harold G. Shane was shared that still guides our work today: "A good school is the sum total of the good people, who with cheerful dedication make it good."
Wildcat Traditions
Over the decades, Welby has built incredible traditions that connect our past to our present:
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The School Colors: When Welby first opened, the original school colors were brown and gold. Years later, a student vote was held, and the school officially changed its colors to the Red and Black we proudly wear today.
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The Logo: While we cherish our deep historical roots, we also look to the future. Last year, we updated our school logo to represent a fresh, exciting take on our Wildcat history. Featuring a fierce, determined new wildcat, the design captures the strength, confidence, and resilience we foster in our students every day. Our students, families, and the community absolutely love the new look and wear the red and black with immense pride.
- The Welby Wildcat Song: Written in the school’s early years by former kindergarten teacher Holly Newton and accompanied by first-grade teacher Mitzi Bray, the official school song was nearly lost to time. After fading from regular use for about a decade, it was rediscovered in an old file and proudly brought back to life. Today, our students love singing the energetic anthem to build their school pride:
🎶 A Welby Wildcat I will be,
When I work for victory.
I'll wear the colors red and black,
To show that I'm a Wildcat!
Being afraid is not for me,
Confidence is what I need.
To get that winning spirit through.
Don't give up! Do your best!
Now just see what a Welby Wildcat can do!! 🎶