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Show ''4 Story of growth rvi H Ephraim history: story of hardship and progress May 24, 1979 Page Thirteen Section Two Willow Following is a brief out was a short distance to Creek, in 1893. Ephraim was history of Ephraim west of Main Street, and southeast of Ephraim. alluded to as the Juncof a The new city was tion compiled in 1958 for about City". It was really a two-thir- printing. In the history of block north from Center Utah many fearless men tramped across Sanpete or near its boundaries on their way to California or New Mexico. and camped Mauricio Garza Garcia Legoa at Lake (Utah Lake) Tim-panog- among the Yutes in 1813. Then they went on their way to New Mexico traveling part of the way along the Sevier River where they saw some of the bearded Indians mentioned by Escalante. Soon after this Utah passed from Spanish to Mexican ownership. At this time Indian women and children were used as articles of trade by the traders. William Wolfskill passed through this area in 1830. And some of Freemont's party could have trekked across a part of Sanpete. It was from Freemonts records that Brigham easily Young gained much for formation in- his pilgrimage westward. Ephraim's first recorded settler was Isaac Behunin and family in the year 1852. founded in 1854, and incorporated in 1868. That A fort, called "Little year Ephraim had a Fort", about 1 j acres, population of 2500 people. was built in 1854. It was , George Taylor was located approximately 4 Ephraim's first mayor; of a block north of Center Henry Beal her first Street, and about 100 ft. magistrate. east of Main Street, just Reuben W. Allred who about straight across the had acted as a bishop in street from Behunin's Spring City became dug-ou- t. Ephraim's first Presiding In 1855 due to the Elder or bishop. His arrival of more im- counselors were Wiley P. migrants into the county Allred and James T. S. a larger fort, 174 acres, Allred. was built at a cost of Canute Peterson $13,000. This fort included became the first Stake all of the block east of President. The bishops who first Main Street and north of Center Street, and 4 of served the various wards the adjoining block east of in Ephraim were Lars C. Main Street and north of Anderson, North Ward; First North. This fort was C. C. N. Dorius, South named "Fort Ephraim" Ward; P. C. Peterson, by one of the workers, Jr., West Ward; Macoy supposedly Peter Mad- lrsen. College Ward. sen. Later "Fort" was James J. Jakeman dropped from the name, and the name of Ephraim started the original has prevailed. newspaper named the Brigham Young paid his "County Register ", in first visit to Ephraim in 1890. In his entourage 1855. Agnes Armstrong, the were 30 teams and an first reported teacher of escort. He preached to the Ephraim held school in people a great sermon, her home within the Fort. book available long remembered by Any those who heard him. served as a text. Pencils This same year Sanpete were shaped from soft was plagued by a mighty yellow rock, and there army of grasshoppers, were no slates. another problem for the The railroads that modern Israelites to came into the valley had their beginning nearly the conquer. boundary same time. The Rio Ephraim's lines extended originally Grande Western came to Canal from Creek, Ephraim in 1890; the southeast of Spring City, Sanpete Valley Railroad Street. pre-Pione- He built a t on a creek, shown on your map, running through Ephraim from a southeasterly direction to a northwesterly. This creek was called "Cotton Wood Creek, then dug-ou- "Ephraim Creek. location of Behunins The dug- - thriving town. Note - This sheet for your personal record was prepared by Bishop Barney H. Hyde, and High Councilman Merlin Stock. Merlin's grandfather, Richard M. Bee, and Barney's grandfather Orson 'Hyde, came west together, and both knew Sanpete County very well. (Information for the above was gleaned from books: County Daughters y History, of Pioneers, Ephraim's Centennial Year Book and from Milton Hunters History -- of Utah.) Why portant map: not locate im- places on your Charles Whitlock first constable in Ephraim. This mechanic was very versatile, talking all the time he was working a buzz saw. Lo and behold, off came a finer. "Why, I said, you fool you. You put your finger right into the saw." "I did not; i yoost woop there went the other one." the Ephraim Tunnel" this pertinent dhiy on your 1 25th Anniversary information during the tenure of Mayor Lyman Willardson is found : of dream "The Ephraim citizens for the construction of a tunnel to bring additional irrigation water from the giant snow banks which form annually on the east side of the divide has at last been realized. More than forty years ago citizens started digging a the tunnel through mountain at a somewhat higher level than the mmi mi CORPORATOR . I hack-to-basi- 1 1 40 years brings water Homecoming and Tunnel Celebration July 3, 4, 5, 1937 program furnished by Florence McCafferty under the title "The History of the Ephraim CONGRATIMAmNS Vuditorium.t his Jensen, loriner Ephraim resident, widely known t.iitooiiist and creator ol Sheepherder Sam will be the featured stoi y teller. Exeats will continue Saturday night with a local talent 7 Memorial Day piogram in the Snow College auditorium at p.m. ex cuts on Monday will include a breakfast sponsored by the Lions ( lull rom 7 ::ill to III a.m. behind the library. Memorial services will lie held at 1(1 a.m. in the Ephraim Park Cemetery. Ephraim has progressed into an attractive conifnunity since it was 125 years ago. Citizens ol the community have worked diligently on beautification projects to spruce up the town tor the anniversary celebration set lor Saturday. Included on the list ol e nils are exhibits which can be seen at the City Hall and Library until .May 29; a historical tour starting at 9:30 a.m. and at 3 p.m. under the direction ol the DI P (the tour begins at the library); a parade at a.m. and a program at 2 p.m. in the City founded Ephraim tunnel From piiDFgifa Sanpete-Emer- present tunnel. This tunnel was started by M. F. Murray, former editor of the Ephraim Enterprise, who was very much in favor of bringing water to additional Ephraim. The hole was dred feet into the side of the mountain lie fore the work x as finally dropped due to lack of funds and an over abundance of local opposition. This old tunnel still remains in almost perfect condition except lor some caving olf at the west end. Spasmodic attempts to get' the Murray tunnel completed have been made at intervals ever since the diggings was discontinued, but these have aborted for one reason or another. In 1916 Henry Lund and the Ephraim Construction tried to get work started on the site of the present tunnel. This liecame known as the Lund tunnel site. This attempt also fell through lx1 fore an onslaught of local opposition. One of the chief causes for local opposition to the tunnel projects was the Iielief that there was not sufficient water available on the other side of the divide to justify the expense of construction. When the drouth spell had lieen in full force for a year or so. interest was over increased the possibility of securing more water for Ephraim farmers. Iirge groups of citizens went into the mountains to see for themselves leasability of water given came out to investigate and the result was a very lavorable recom- mendation for -- the government's making such projects. result of the Ephraim secured funds commission's . in- and the' tunnel is nearly vestigation, engineers linished. All that remains measured the water in is some outside work at Beck's creek and some the east and west portal. The digging of the other streams that could tunnel cost $163,434 which lie tapped by the tunnel. These measurements, is slightly higher than the even in dry years, were so engineers' estimate of possible project. As a Morrison Knudsen company $153,000. -- of Boise, Idaho, were the construction contractors. Ephraim water - users will have forty years to pay back the loan to the government. They will pay it back at the rate of 24 percent a year commencing in the fall of 1937. There will be no interest charged. The first bids on the project were rejected because of the high pnee. The first bids were opened on October 18. 1934. About six months later new bids were solicited and the company from Boise was awarded tunnel Continued on page 14 ENTIRE STOCK! com- storage a commission storage mission but they showed little interest in the matter due to the fact that it was too small a project the or them lor reclamation service to Ixither with. One member ol the commission, however, insisted the Ephraim delegation be Hide-A-Be- ds ml m respectful hearing. The commission sent down two men to make an investigation at the end of the hearing. fte? inAlter careful men these vestigation the securing more water, They found an abundance of that on the other side could easily be brought through the abandoned Murray tunnel or a tunnel at a lower level. In 1931 an attempt was made to Ixirrow money Irom Salt Lake City linkers with which to complete the Murray tunnel. Most of the the in shareholders irrigation company were heartily in favor of such a move or any move that the would prevent drought Irom raising the havoc that it was doing. Arrangements could not be made satisfactorily and it was finally decided to go to the federal government lor aid. was The matter brought belore the state water lavorable that the project was recommended to the bureau of reclamation as lieing highly worthy. At this time there were no lederal funds for such and it construction seemed the tunnel would lx indefinitely delayed even though it was fully approved. The country wide drouth in 1934 resulted in the federal ' reported that they were not much in favor with the Murray tunnel site but commented very highly on the Lund tunnel site. the entire water EXTRA! Regular, copies of The Pyramid Nylon Geild A The Ephraim Hotel Snappy Service Cobble Heaven Market Snow College Bookstore Anderson Drug City Cafe Intermountain Kanowsky super space saver for your home I SAVE EVEN MORE! I I GET AN EXTRA I I I I Supply limited! Mail orders welcome 3 Herculon Covers & FF I 20 each 3-- MAJOR BRANDS are available at: this coupon and bring it to our store and we II give of your choice you an extra $25 off on the Clip hide-a-be- d "Growing with Ephraim for 65 years" Send 75' for each copy CMsfloweini (Price Includes postage) To: The Pyramid Box A 41 Mt. Ploaiant, Utah 84647 ,1 Queen and MlrSth'i ) FURNITURE & HARDWARE South Main Ephraim I I I I I I I I I |
