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Senator Blackcomb spotlights Sanpete County history in Senate Centennial segment
Summary
Senator Blackcomb presented the Senate’s Centennial Historic Spotlight on Sanpete County, recounting settlement by English and Scandinavian immigrants, early conflicts, Manti’s founding and temple, and the creation of the Manti Forest Reserve after overgrazing concerns.
Senator Blackcomb used the Senate’s Centennial Historic Spotlight to recount the settlement and early history of Sanpete County, describing Manti’s founding, waves of English and Scandinavian settlers, and the county’s agricultural and forest-conservation history.
Blackcomb told colleagues that early settlers “came through Salt Creek Canyon” to found Manti and described how pioneers lived in dugouts on the south slope of the Manti Temple. He said Sanpete became known for sheep grazing and that overgrazing prompted local petitions that contributed to the establishment of the Manti Forest Reserve under President Theodore Roosevelt.
The remarks traced cultural details and local institutions: Snow College in Ephraim, early rock and brick homes, and the region’s Scandinavian heritage. Blackcomb also noted longstanding population stability in parts of Sanpete County since statehood, and recounted local anecdotes to illustrate pioneer life.
The Centennial Spotlight was delivered as part of the Senate’s morning session and followed roll call and the opening prayer. The presentation was ceremonial in nature; no formal action or legislation resulted from the remarks.
