Axtell in Sanpete County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Settlement of Axtell

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, June 14, 2014

1. Settlement of Axtell Marker

Inscription. Axtell, originally called Willow Creek, is a wide-spread, productive farming community located on the boundary of Sanpete and Sevier Counties. It is a living monument to the rugged characteristics of the pioneers who came to this valley. Axtell was settled by pioneer Axel Einarsen and a "handful of colonists"." These settlers homesteaded and cleared the land of sagebrush, rocks, and rattlers. They built reservoirs, irrigation systems, and dug wells by using teams, plows, picks, and shovels. Families hauled logs and dug pits for dugouts. These dugout shelters were usually 12 feet by 16 feet with a chimney sticking out of the ground. Some chose adobes made of mud and straw. In the spring of 1861, a tithing granary was built of logs. These pioneers displayed determination of spirit and purpose that even death, disaster, or the elements of nature could not drive them away.
In 1880 the first school was built of logs, whitewashed on the inside with clay, and furnished with slab and pine benches. The first teacher was Hannah Hansen. The children walked, rode on horseback, or arrived at school in wagons, buggies, or sleighs,

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depending upon the weather. The school building, built in 1898, served the community for school, social, and church events. Atop this monument is the original school bell. For years, the bell's clarion-call tolled for church, school, fire, flood, pending danger, and for funerals. The rock for this monument came from the home of Grover Jensen, the first boy born in Utah after statehood.
In 1876 Willow Creek was renamed for Governor Samuel B. Axtell in tribute to his friendliness with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) during the trying years before statehood.

Erected 2008 by Centerfield Company, Daughters of Utah Pioneers. (Marker Number 551.)

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 year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 39° 3.294′ N, 111° 49.332′ W. Marker is in Axtell, Utah, in Sanpete County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 89 and Center Street, on the left when traveling north on U.S. 89. Marker is on the southwest corner. Touch for map.

Settlement of Axtell Marker and Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, June 14, 2014

2. Settlement of Axtell Marker and Bell

Marker is in this post office area: Axtell UT 84621, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Redmond Town Hall (approx. 4.1 miles away); Centerfield (approx. 4.6 miles away); First Public Buildings (approx. 4.6 miles away); Casino / Star Theatre (approx. 6.9 miles away); Camp Salina (approx. 6.9 miles away); Life on the Land (approx. 6.9 miles away); The Colonists of Clarion (approx. 6.9 miles away); “Back to the Soil” (approx. 6.9 miles away).

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, June 14, 2014

3. Settlement of Axtell Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 971 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 29, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.