Annabella in Sevier County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Settlement of Annabella
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 29, 2018
1. Settlement of Annabella Marker
In the spring of 1871, Harry Dalton, James Powell, and their families traveled across Sevier Valley to Omni Point at the base of Cove Mountain. In early fall that same year, the Edward Killick Roberts and John Gleave families moved from Glenwood to Omni Point. These four families became the first settlers of the town that was to become known as “Annabella.” The town was named after two of the first woman settlers: Anna Roberts and Isabella Dalton. Through hard work and diligence, the settlers built homes, cleared the ground, planted crops, and established a town.
Small springs at Omni Point supplied water for the first few families; but, as more families arrived and settled down in the valley, water from a spring in Red Butte Canyon was drawn for culinary use. Irrigation water was diverted from lakes on the mountain, through Cottonwood Canyon. Settlers commenced building the Annabella Canal in 1871, and they began watering crops in 1872.
The first homes were dugouts but were soon replaced with log and adobe cabins with dirt floors. Sawmills were established in the 1800s on Cove Mountain. Logs were cut and trimmed,
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In February of 1911, Annabella was established with a town government. On July 3, 2011, Annabella celebrated its 100 Year Anniversary, honoring its pioneer heritage.
Erected 2012 by Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Camp Red Butte. (Marker Number 569.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1911.
Location. 38° 42.419′ N, 112° 3.645′ W. Marker is in Annabella, Utah, in Sevier County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Center Street, on the left when traveling south on Main Street. Marker is on the southwest corner. This is a change as of 8/6/2026. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Annabella
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 29, 2018
2. Settlement of Annabella Marker
Regionally, this marker is in the Central Utah Valleys. It is also in the American Mountain West and on the Colorado Plateau. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Trader and Explorer Trails (approx. 2.1 miles away); Our Town ~ Old Inverury (approx. 2.2 miles away); Richfield Presbyterian Church and School (approx. 4.2 miles away); Fort Omni – Richfield (approx. 4.4 miles away); Richfield Carnegie Library (approx. 4.4 miles away); Academy Hall (approx. 4.4 miles away); Richfield Pioneers (approx. 4.7 miles away); Freedom Stage (approx. 4.7 miles away).
More about this marker. The dialogue box next to the map marker may be confusing because it labels the marker as "The Founding of Annabella." This suggests that the marker indicates the exact location where the town was founded, when it does not.
Additional commentary.
1.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 29, 2018
3. Settlement of Annabella Marker
View north on Main Street.
This marker states: “Edward Killick Roberts and John Gleave families moved from Glenwood to Omni Point. These four families became the first settlers of the town…” This is not exactly true.{
Edward Killick Roberts and John Gleave did not move from Glenwood to Omni Point. They were the first to settle what became known as Annabella. They were the first to bring water to the new town. John Gleave pioneered the canal that brought irrigation to Annabella fields. Edward Killick Roberts brought water to the town from Cove Mountain for drinking and gardening within the town.
Up above Annabella overlooking the Sevier Valley was the new Omni Point settlement. They developed the spring that was present there. Harry (or Henry) Dalton and Joseph (or John) Powell (possibly Powell Johnson) were the two settlers. The mystery man did not stay around long, at least not long enough for us to know his real name, whereas Henry Dalton raised a family here.
Unfortunately, his wife Isabella Dalton died. We have no burial location. Most likely the burial was here where Henry Dalton had settled. It wasn't too long before Henry Dalton moved back to his hometown of Kanosh, Utah. Some of his family stayed and merged into the Annabella community.
What became of Omni Point we just don't know but perhaps there are land records that would enlighten us. Isabella became part of the Annabella name when combined with Anna Roberts, wife of Edward Killick. In naming it Annabella there was a third mostly forgotten woman who was the wife of Edward Killick, Hannah Gleave... she was the heart and soul of Annabella. Her name contributed to the Annabella name. Her father John Gleave was a founding father.
Anna Roberts was the first teacher in the community but for the most part had previously raised another family with Sydney Marcus Beckstead. Her husband had perished on the Mormon Trail faithfully participating in a church program “down & back wagons.” Anna did have children here with Edward Killick Roberts. A third wife of Edward Killick Roberts, Emaline Mathews, had perished before they came to settle Annabella. Some of her children followed their father here — others stayed back in Payson, Utah. Her burial is also lost to time.
— Submitted August 6, 2026, by Jeff Roberts of Annabella, Utah.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 793 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on August 6, 2026, by Jeff Roberts of Annabella, Utah. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 6, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
