1949 HAMILTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BAND

North Sanpete High School Commencement Program 1926

Children Group With Names from the Back

Alice's Photos from the Past

SPECIAL MEMORIAL SERVICE - 1947

SOUVENIR - L.D.S. SABBATH SCHOOL Theology

GIRDLEBUSTERS vs BELLYHOOS

There were quite a few laughs when we posted this picture  of Neil Hafen in his "Bloomers" over a year ago.  Now we have found the newspaper article that prefaced the "Big Event". 

1907 Hamilton Elementary - - - Grade 7

Hamilton School Teachers - 1940's

These photos are sent in to us by Tonga Seely Titcomb, a niece of Lizetta Seely.

Help us Identify the Unknowns Please !

North Ward Dedication 1956

Early Schools of Mt. Pleasant

EARLY SCHOOLS

From-Andrew Madsen's Journal

"The first school in Mount Pleasant opened January 13, 1860, with A. B. Strickland as the teacher. Strickland was later assisted by Mrs. Oscar Winters, they taught for two and a half months, in a humbly constructed log building within the fort. "
"During the summer months, Mr. A. J. Forsythe conducted a summer school. Later, Charlotte Hyde taught the smaller child¬ren. A year or so later, outside the fort, Mr. William Morrison began teaching, and advantages to the children were given as fast as the financial condition of the people would permit. "
"About 1862, David Candland took up the educational work, and for a time there were three teachers, Candland, Morrison, and H. P. Miller, each occupying a school building in different parts of the settlement. The community continued to grow, and the school constantly during the sixties, continued to improve and became more up-to-date. Among others who did good work at about that time were William -Ball, Samuel Whiting, and C. H. Wheelock. Mrs. Margaret Morrison opened a private school, teaching sewing and fancy work. This had its good effects and did considerable good. In the early seventies, Joseph Page, John T. Henniger, Christina Bertelson, John Carter, and John J. Schultz also became active in the educational line. Some taught for many years with much credit to themselves and benefit to the children. "
"In 1875, Mr. Duncan McMillan arrived in Mount Pleasant, and after making benches, etc., began a school and Sunday School in the Liberal Hall. The enrollment, although small at first, steadi¬ly increased. "
"At about this time, the Utah Legislature made a small ap-propriation for the maintenance of public schools, this with a tuition fee, financed them. There were not many books. Slates were used to write on. Eli A. Day, a graduate of the Class of 76, of the University of Deseret, began teaching school in Mount Pleasant that year, and continued until 1883. During this time, there were a number of young people from Mount Pleasant who attended the University of Deseret and who later became promi¬nent in the schools, among these were Hilda Dehlin, H. P. Jensen, Samuel H. Allen, Amasa Aldrich, Ada Dehlin, William Tidwell, and Hans Madsen. They were a great help, and new vigor was assumed in the educational work, more schoolhouses were built, and better results obtained. "
"Later, the Brigham Young University at Provo was erected, and many of the young people were sent there for higher learning, some, after returning home, also became teachers, among them were Abram Johnson, Ferdinand Ericksen, Soren X. Christensen, Joseph Madsen, George Christensen, C. W. Sorensen and Olaf C. Anderson. George Christensen, who was also principal, taught the Latter-day Saint Seminary during 1891, 92, 93. During part time, Miss Augusta Dehlin was assistant teacher. This school was first held in the Social Hall, which was soon found to be too small, it was then held up stairs in the co-op or Madsen's store building, northeast corner of intersection of Main and State Street. This school met with great success and many pupils from other towns attended it. "
"In 1891, C. W. Sorensen became principal of the District Schools, the free school system was adopted, improvements con-tinued and the children advanced much faster. There had been many drawbacks on account of many of the parents being too poor to purchase the books and supplies needed to meet the needs of the children. "
"More attention was given to education and a great many continued to seek higher learning. Some attended the University of Utah and others the Brigham Young University at Provo. "
"In 1895, there was a new set of teachers consisting of Caro¬line Lovegren, Lydia Hastier, Mary Johansen, John Lovegren, Mary Larsen, Andrew L. Larsen, C. N. Lund Jr., Daniel Rasmus¬sen, and perhaps a few others. "
"By this time there had been built a number of modern school buildings throughout the city, but the people clamored for a Central School building, and a new modern twelve room building, at a cost of fully $20,000.00, was erected on the southwest corner, intersection of Main and First East. D. C. Jensen became princi¬pal, he having served for three years previous. Mr. Jensen was assisted by the following well trained teachers: Lydia Hastier, Mary Johansen, Caroline Lovegren, John Lovegren, C. N. Lund Jr., Olaf C. Anderson, Jennie Jorgensen, R. W. Livingston, and C. J. Jensen. "

"In 1898, George Christensen became principal, and in 1899, he was succeeded by C. J. Jensen, who served successfully for two years. In 1902, Daniel Rasmussen became principal, serving for two years. "
"Joseph Hughes was chosen principal in 1904, serving until 1907, when he was succeeded by P. M. Nielsen, who served for several years, also giving entire satisfaction. Twenty-four large and beautiful pictures were purchased for interior decoration at the school. The pictures made the halls most attractive. They were intended to create in the pupils a desire for fine art, that the homes might also be decorated with the proper kind of pictures.
"The trustees of the school at this time were F. C. Jensen, C.N. Lund, and Abner Crane. "
"The following, copied from an exchange, has all transpired within my recollection, and that of many who will see this item. "
"'As nations live it has been no great time since thoughtful statesman declared that all the country lying west of the Mississippi was a hopeless desert, designed to hold the scenery together. Then the Mormons went to Utah and for the first time in the history of the Anglo Saxon race, turned water upon the land for the purpose of crop production. In a little while the wilderness was wiped away, and the productive domain of the nation was pushed westward to the Pacific Ocean. The desert places bloomed in beauty; men saw with amazement an Empire in the building, and where before there had been no sound in the land, save the while beasts and the wild birds crying in the desolate night, there were heard the voices of men and women praising God, and the happy laughter of children on their way to school.' "

Did You Know That Mt. Pleasant Once Had Its Own ZCMI?

Three of them at different times and different locations.

Mt. Pleasant’s Own Z.C.M.I. (third location). was on State Street and Main; North East Corner of the Intersection and faced south.
Now On display at the Mt. Pleasant Relic Home is an original Z.C.M.I. trunk donated by David and Jan Smith. Also a set of Z.C.M.I. exchange coins which were donated by Dick and Peggy Ruiz. The picture above is also on display. This display features a very important segment of Mt. Pleasant’s history.

Z.C.M.I. stands for Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution. The following is taken from Hilda Madsen Longsdorf’s History of Mt. Pleasant, page 129.

“Mt.. Pleasant Z. C. M. I.
In February 1869, the Mt. Pleasant Z. C. M. I. was organized. It was a co-operative organization patterned after the Z. C. M. I. that was organized the year previous in Salt Lake City, under the instructions of President Brigham Young, who at that time pointed out to the people the necessity and the benefits of such institutions. The Mt. Pleasant Z. C. M. I. began business in a small room, in a log building, afterwards known as Anderson's Blacksmith Shop, on the east side of State Street, about Third South. Here Anthon H. Lund served as clerk. After a time, the Company erected a log building on the southwest corner, intersection of State and Main Street. (Where Skyline Pharmacy is now located); Quoting Amasa Aldrich: “This was quite a creditable building at that time, being built of logs chinked with mud. The room on the inside was plastered with mud. Outside, above the door, which faced the east, was painted the sign 'Z. C. M. I.' Underneath this was painted the “All Seeing Eye,' and beneath that, 'Holiness to the Lord.' This was the first store building built in Mt. Pleasant, and became known as the Mormon or Polygamist Store. Charlie Hampshire, and Olaf Sorensen were clerks who served. Charlie spoke English and Ole spoke Danish, hence the people could always be served, because when one could not understand the customer, the other could.” (HML)
It is interesting to note that a “lower store” was built later and was known as the Gentile Store, Swedish Store, or Sanpete County Co-op. This is the store now located on the north side of main street at about 150 West, most recently occupied by Head Start.

The third Z.C.M.I. was built on the corner where the Mt. Pleasant Recreation Center is now located. And this last Z.C.M.I. building is shown in the picture above. This building was the first building that necessitated a break in the old fort wall. It was a two story brick building. “Its brick were made and fired by hand and then tested to make sure that “nothing but the first class brick or any other material was put into the building. The huge timbers used were hewed with a broad axe and smoothed with drawing knives.” HML p.156. The second story of the building was used as a theatre and dance hall. Madsen and Anderson operated the theatre and dance hall on the second floor of the brick building, and here the public witnessed Shakespearean plays by John S. Lindsay and Company, also other high class companies, home dramatics, etc., as well as the C. C. A. Christensen's panoramas, minstrel shows, sleight of hand performances, hypnotism, etc., and many heated political rallies, setting forth free trade, tariff on wool, etc.”
“The scenery for the hall was painted by C. C. A. Christensen, a very popular artist. Music for the dances was mostly furnished by the Peter Almertz orchestra, consisting of John Waldermar, Rebecca Beckstrom, Bent Hansen, and others. Brigham Lee was floor manager and prompter. The east room of the building was used as the city council headquarters. On top of the building had been arranged seats, and at daybreak on holidays the Brass Band assembled; their music could be clearly heard in the distance, as the stars and stripes were unfurled. It had been common for the band, in their band wagon, to serenade the city, and they were usually treated with plenty of home-made beer and refreshments.” HML p.173.

Anyone having additional pictures of the people named above or anyone who was also involved which can be added to the Relic Home’s Z.C.M.I. Display is encouraged to email us at pandk@cut.net or visit the Relic Home.

The Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Historical Association is also asking for additional histories of pioneers of our community, but also histories of all residents and events right up to the present time. These histories will be collected, documented, preserved and eventually put on DVD’s for current and future generations.