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Show GUNNISON Gunnison is the oldest town of the Sevier Valley, situated fifteen miles southwest of Manti and within two miles of the junction of the Sanpitch and Sevier rivers. The town was located in the spring of 1S60 by Jacob Hutchinson and a few families and named in honor of Capt. J. W. Gunnison, the lamented and much-honored United States topographical engineer, who was killed by Indians on the Sevier river September 26, 1S53. He and company camped on the site of the now prosperous and enterprising colony which bears his name as a perpetual monument to his manhood and kind treatment of the settlers of Sanpete Valley. The town in early days was a home of refuge for isolated southern colonists attacked by hostile Indians. The first settlers of Sanpete saw this delightful spot while engaged in protecting their homes and stock from Indians, and many decided that as soon as the savages were conquered or driven back to their mountain retreats a colony would be established. When the first settlers arrived and located upon their chosen fields, another company composed chiefly of residents of Springville, settled farther down the river and two colonies were begun. A union was soon perfected and after an unsuccessful attempt at settling "Hog Wallow," the present appropriate site was decided upon, and in 1862 the colonists built homes where they now reside. An attempt was made by surveyors to locate an Indian reservation on the towmsite, but the settlers were recognized by the general Government and given titles to their lands. |
