Ephraim Co-op

Ephraim Co-Op Z.C.M.I. (Ephraim Co-operative Mercantile Association)

The Ephraim Co-Op was built from 1871-72, out of oolite stone, that was quarried in the area

The Co-op is one of the remaining cooperative mercantile shops out of more than 120 which were established by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints between 1868 and 1878. It was part of the Z.C.M.I (Zion’s Co-operative Mercantile Institution) system, which serviced more than 150 communities in the intermountain area, beginning in 1868. It is located at 96 North Main Street, Ephraim Utah.

In the late 1860's with the arrival of the transcontinental railroad arrived in Salt Lake City.  In December 1890, the Marysville Branch came into Ephraim.  This connected the formerly isolated Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints communities with “gentile” merchants who increasingly settled in the area.  Many in Utah worried about possible economic bondage. In response to these concerns, an effort was made by church leaders to develop plans which led to the “cooperative” movement. The idea of this plan was that members of the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wouldn’t trade with “outsiders”, but rather with local cooperative shops which were supplied by a “parent institution” in Salt Lake City.  The first floor of the Ephraim Co-op was an integral part of the local economy. The second floor served many other purposes as well, including a social hall, theater, Relief Society hall, and the Sanpete Stake Academy, which was the precursor to Snow College.

In 1888, there were plans to build a Sanpete Stake Academy, however there were not enough funds available, and it was decided that it would be hosted in the Relief Society Hall instead, which was currently in the second floor of the Co-op building. The academy was founded on November 5, 1888, and used the Co-op space until about 1900. In 1902, the name of the academy was changed to “Snow Academy”, and then later to “Snow College” in 1917. The upper floor of the Co-op is still remembered as the humble beginning of Snow College.

The Co-op has been home to many different institutions throughout its more-than-a-century history. Some of these include a United Order store on the first floor, farm implement sales, a car-repair garage and finally a part of the Ephraim Roller Mills with the addition of the Relief Society Granary to the South.