Little Copenhagen

Mantua: "Little Copenhagen"

The town of Mantua, Utah, was founded in a deliberate and organized manner. In the spring of 1863, twelve Danish families were sent by Church leader Lorenzo Snow to settle the valley. The area's fresh water springs and mountainous landscape reminded the immigrants of their homeland, making it an ideal location for them to establish a new life. The town was originally nicknamed "Little Copenhagen" because its population was almost entirely composed of Danish immigrants.

The settlement's primary purpose was to leverage the specific skills of the Danish pioneers, many of whom came from agricultural or artisan backgrounds. The valley's cool temperatures and abundant water were perfect for cultivating flax or hemp, which the Danes would use to produce cloth, rope, and thread—a trade they were skilled in. This purposeful, skill-based migration explains why the town had such a high concentration of Scandinavian settlers. The Danes preserved their culture through architectural details like brightly colored doors and thatched roofs, as well as through a Danish-language newspaper, "Bikuben". The town’s history is a clear example of how pioneer settlements were often a strategic, organized effort to build a self-sufficient community by utilizing the unique talents of its members.

You’re awesome Scott Larkin!!