Echo's History
Originally, Echo was comprised of mostly non-Mormon residents. Trappers, hand-cart companies, stage coaches from the Overland Express and eventually, passengers on the Union Pacific Transcontinental Railroad would pass through the craggy cliffs on their way east or west. Residents were eclectic in origin, many residents were employed by the railroad to serve the mining businesses in the area.
As the town grew, a local school district was established and in 1914, a 2 room school house was built for the increasing number of children. The Mormon Church subsequently purchased the Echo Church and School to use for their local church services.
Church & School Building
The building is built of hand made brick, fired on site. The structure measures only 25 feet wide by 50 feet long. At one point, as many as 50 children attended the school, their ages ranged from 6 to the mid-teens. Native Americans resided in the valley as well and were known to often play with the growing number of children that lived in the area.
Mary Jane Asper Weaver was the 1st school teacher hired by the local school district in Echo. In 1880 the school underwent some remodeling and to defray costs, Mary Jane donated $4 of her meager $4.50 a month salary to help pay for construction.
By Karri Dell Hays
Located: Head of Temple Lane (east of school and post office)