April Clawson

Located south of Provo and artistic Springville, Mapleton was named in 1901 for its abundance of colorful maple trees. For centuries, American Indian tribes had regarded the bench overlooking Hobble Creek and the valley below as sacred ground and gathered there annually. Catholic explorers hiking down Spanish Fork Canyon, nestled beneath a majestic mountain, first mapped the area in 1776. These Spaniards named the peak Sierra Bonita, though nearly everyone today calls it Maple Mountain. By 1850, Mormon pioneers had settled in Springville, using the rich earth between the creek and the river as farmland. Little by little, they built homes and stayed. The continued perseverance of this community to maintain its country charm is evident throughout the city. Conservation of the foothills and open spaces is an ongoing concern to residents.

Located south of Provo, Utah, is artistic Springville. In 1776, Catholic explorers were the first to map this region. Native Americans enjoyed this locale for its abundance of wild game and its ready access to water. Brigham Young, a president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asked men to examine the area in 1848. Capt. Aaron Johnson and the few families who were asked to settle here arrived in mid-afternoon on September 18, 1850. Hobble Creek was the first name given to the settlement, and that title is still used today by some local venues. In 1853, the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Utah approved the city charter, and the first municipal election took place. Springville was then officially named after the large springs in the vicinity.