In Little Denmark, the influence of Scandinavian pioneers sent by Brigham Young to settle the area surrounds you. Masterful Scandinavian woodworking and stained glass-skills are reflected in many of the marvelous local bed and breakfast inns. Festivals such as the Scandinavian Festival in Ephraim and the Mormon Miracle Pageant at the MormonTemple in Manti offer a rich local flavor. Artisan studios and gift shops are waiting for your visit to downtowns filled with buildings listed on the National Historic Register.
Located at the north entrance to Manti overlooking the community, the temple is the dominant architectural wonder of Little Denmark. The groundbreaking and site dedication was held on April 25, 1877 and was conducted by Church President Brigham Young. After an eleven year construction period, the temple was dedicated May 17, 1888 by President Wilford Woodruff.
Each summer the site hosts the Mormon Miracle Pageant, which draws tens-of-thousands to this lovely farming town.
The Huntington-Eccles
Scenic Byway begins in Fairview, Utah. The drive heads east up the canyon on
Highway 31 through the Manti La-Sal National Forest. The Nebo Loop
Scenic Byway begins in Payson, Utah. The route is a 37 mile drive through
the Uinta National Forest. Mt. Nebo, the highest peak on the drive, reaches an
elevation of 11,928 feet above sea level.
Sanpete’s Pioneer Heritage is prevalent today with many rock homes and buildings
built in the 1800’s. The entire town of Spring City is a National Register Historic District. Many pioneer homes were constructed from oolitic limestone that was quarried locally. Hundreds of these homes have been restored and are occupied.
The Fairview Museum is full of historical data, artifacts pictures and artwork. The Natural History Building houses a full scale replica of
a Columbian mammoth which was unearthed on the nearby
Wasatch Plateau.
The Mormon Miracle Pageant, performed each June at Temple Hill in Manti,
is the story of how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
was founded and of the Mormon pioneers who colonized the West. 80,000 visitors view the pageant over the 8 night performance. The pageant begins at dusk and is free of charge.
About 650,000 Utahns trace their ancestry to Denmark, Norway, Sweden and
Iceland. Many are descended from 19th Century Scandinavian converts to
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Scandinavian Heritage Conference gives participants an opportunity to learn about and reflect on the lives
of pioneer founders of the Sanpete Valley.
Little Denmark has many places to stay including Hotels, Bed and Breakfast Inns, and RV Campgrounds. As you travel through the heritage area, be sure to experience the local flavors at one of the many restaurants.
