The Manti Temple

THE MANTI TEMPLE. BY LEWIS ANDERSON, GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE MANTI TEMPLE, AND PRESIDENT OF SOUTH SANPETE STAKE OF ZION. This magnificent structure is built of native oolite stone, quarried near the site of the building. The Temple is one hundred and seventy-two feet by ninetyfive feet, and ninety-two feet to the summit of its walls. The cutting of the stone for this temple was performed by exceedingly skilful artisans. They have carried out the designs of the architect perfectly, and the result is a most beautiful building which stands at an elevation of sixty-three feet above the street- grade of Manti, rendering it the most striking feature of this pretty city. For years the Manti Temple has stood as a landmark upon this hill, celebrated as the spot upon which the pioneers first pitched their tents. The grounds, however, remained in an unfinished state until April 10, 1907, when the Presidency of the Church directed the work of improvement to proceed . Accordingly a force of men were employed in blasting away the rocky Manti Temple— A Front View.

THE MANTI TEMPLE -SHOWING FRONT APPROACH. Ground was broken for its erection, Monday, April 30, 1877; and on Monday, April 14, 1879, the corner stones were laid. It was dedicated on Monday, May 21, 1888, "and was the third temple completed in Utah. Cost about $1,000,000.

41(5 IMPROVEMENT ERA point of the hill, on the south and east of the temple. Teams and men were also engaged in excavating and hauling away debris. The original terrace walls, surrounding the temple grounds and built more than twenty years ago, were removed, with the exception of the lower one, which has been lowered one half, and the hill graded to a cone shape. Several thousand feet of retaining wall have been built, and a splendid approach has been erected on the south of the temple, suitable for both vehicles and pedestrians; and another has been constructed on the north and west, which affords a splendid grade. This latter road is especially used for heavily loaded teams. Thousands of loads of rich soil have been hauled upon and scattered over the once solid bed of stone, thus making a beautiful lawn and flower beds. A most elaboiate and beautiful stairway has been constructed, twenty feet wide, having retaining walls on either side, with square pillars at each landing fitted for electric lights. In all there are one hundred and twenty-five steps of twelve-inch tread, and six- Ml 4fr JX J. t^f-iPM 1 j 1 fill vWL~~*m jj | w^^^m J V ^^k ^^inti w^^ ^^L. fe^te^. — - — =-=- -

■^ J '-^~ ' &CSON frff AFEN ? gyft Photo by Olson and Hafen. The Manti Temple, Showing the Driveway and Retaining Walls.

THE MANTI TEMPLE. All inch rise, together with nine landings of six feet each, with the top one eighteen feet, connecting the roadway surrounding the temple. Cement walks surround the entire building, with footways connecting with the county road below. To build these, * otsow^ mrtN phot Manti Temple, Showing Lawns. five thousand four hundred bags of cement were used. Approximately three hundred and forty-two thousand pounds of cement and fourteen thousand three hundred and forty-five pounds of iron, are included in the work, making, including the sand and gravel, a total of two million five hundred thousand pounds of material in the stairway. The stairway was commenced July 9, and completed November 13, 1907. This work is undoubtedly one of the greatest of its kind in the United States. Another long, stone stairway borders the driveway on the east, leading to the rear or east entrance of the building and roadway ccnnecting therewith. This stairway is composed of eighty steps of twelve-inch tread, and six-inch rise; each slate was handtooled before being put into place. This also is a gigantic piece of work.

418 IMPROVEMENT ERA. An automatic system of watering the grounds has been installed, in which has been used ninety-one hundred feet of piping, ranging in size from one-half inch to four inches. There are two hundred C. B. G. sprinklers being used. The temple owns its own spring, located one and a quarter miles from the building. While the general supervision of the work has been under my care, the civil engineering has been principally done by John A. Hougaard, of the well-known firm of John A. Hougaard & Son, civil engineers of Manti. The water system plans were drawn by R. R. Lyman, civil engineer of the University of Utah; and A. H. Taylor of the firm of Coulam & Taylor, plumbers, of Salt Lake City, were instrumental in installing it. Hon. C. P. Larson, of Manti, took charge of the stone and mason work, and George E. Bench managed the team work. Bishop Arnold G. Giauque, of Salt Lake City, built the huge cement stairway, and other cement work. Martin Christophersen, the well-known landscape gardener of Salt Lake City, has made several trips to Manti, since the work commenced, and undoubtedly to his artistic care may be assigned the final beautification of the grounds. This article would not be complete without mentioning William B. Armstrong, the fencemaker, of Salt Lake City, who made and supervised the erection of the splendid and beautiful iron gates and fence which adorn the west front and entrance to the driveways. Manti, Utah.