History of Mantua

The first settlers made their homes in the north and wester part of the valley along the Halling creek. They built their homes in the shape of a fort for protection against the Indians. During the time the Indians were hostile, a condition which necessitated extreme cooperation between all the settlers. This cooperation was one of the main factors which helped to make possible advancement of community life.

130 acres of land were fenced and cultivated that season, situated in the north part of the valley. in the spring of 1864, some of the families moved away going to Bear Lake, and others came up from Brigham. More land was taken up and fenced, and water taken out of the springs for irrigation.

In the spring of 1864 there was a holy day and President Lorenzo Snow and others came up to Mantua. Among those from Brigham who joined the party was the late Judge Jonathan Wright. (Most of the settlers of the valley joined the party.) They went up on the knoll on the ease side of the valley where they could look over the whole valley.

Naming of Town

There President Lorenzo Snow named a knoll on the east side of the valley “Mountain Hope”, and he dedicated the land and the water that it might be a blessing to the people. He also named the settlement “Mantua” after his birth place in Ohio.