“Sardine Canyon: Highway 89/91”

Ken Bott
Mar 19
2 min read

Updated: Apr 17

After Brigham City was settled, pioneers continued to push north to create new settlements. Mantua was settled in 1863 and a steep, dangerous pioneer route connected Mantua with Cache Valley. For about 70 years, this route was used only during the summer.

According to an article on https://mysteryofutahhistory.blogspot.com/2015/05/

“The first Mormon settlers on the way to Cache County in the fall of 1856 likely traveled about the same route to Sardine Summit and to about Dry Lake as we do today. However, then – presumably because of water sources and a more gradual route – headed directly east to Sardine Spring. Then, they followed the original Sardine Canyon northeast into Cache Valley and near today’s Hyrum Reservoir and Mount Sterling Cemetery. That was the original path into Cache Valley. The first real road in the area went through the side canyon that begins just north of Sardine Summit, following part of the original pioneer route, but then headed east along today’s Mt. Pisgah Road and into McMurdle Hollow and then into the community of Hyrum.” (This article also contains some interesting research into the name “Sardine Canyon".)

In 1924, it was decided that a road be constructed and a “dugway” was cut into the mountain with a maximum grade of 6% and at a cost of $200,000. In 1926, the US Highway System was created and the road was named “US-89” and later, “91” was added. According to https://www.mantuautah.gov/history/mantua-and-hwy-89..., the “1924 alignment went through what is geographically known as Sardine Canyon. If you look northeast from the modern highway near the summit today, you can still see remnants of this old road winding along the hillside.” (see photo)

Though much improved, the road still had occasional issues and was closed during the winter of 1948-1949. In 1960, the modern highway was built that bypasses the original Sardine Canyon entirely. The road now travels through three canyons from Brigham City: Box Elder Canyon, Dry Canyon, and Wellsville Canyon.

With the interest shown about Highway 89/91 from Brigham City to Cache Valley, here are a few more pictures taken of the old road and a Google Maps photo that shows the area. Along the highway, the peak that divides Box Elder and Cache counties is known as “Sardine Summit.” The Google map photo shows the 1924 road, marked with red arrows, and where it turned east and north and went through Sardine Canyon into the area labeled “Mount Sterling Recreation Camp.” The aerial photo of Mantua was taken before Mantua Reservoir was created.

Photos are used for educational, nonprofit, and noncommercial use only.