Newspaper Building

Ephraim Store, Printer and Newspaper

It was built around 1900 by John Dorius

The Sanpete Messenger, local news publication, was first started in 1890 as the Sanpete County Register. It was discontinued after some twenty editions. James T. Jakeman was the first editor.  The next year, 1891, it was started again as the Ephraim Enterprise by M.F. Murray and Company and continued publication mostly as a weekly, but part of the time as a semi-weekly paper.  This building was built in 1900 by John Dorius and was home of the Ephraim Enterprise established in 1891. Early Editors were Ward Stephensen, John Christiansen, Fred Jorgensen, W.E. Thorpe, Oscar Neilsen, A.E. Britsch, Nephi Christensen, Curtis Mitchelson and Roscoe C. Cox. Mr. Cox began publication in 1925 and was editor and manager until 1960, except for a bit over three years when he was in Hawaii. In his short absence, Andy Rytting took over publication. Roscoe C. Cox being editor for 35 years, the longest period known for many managers, is greatly acknowledged to this day. Larry Stahle took the reigns as editor and publisher of the paper on November 1, 1960 and continued until September 1, 1972 when he sold the business to Max Call.  Max Call then sold the business to the current editor and publisher, Suzanne Dean on November 1, 2000. This building has also been home to many different businesses over the years. When it was first built, intended to compete against the Co-op, this newspaper building was a merchandise shop. In 1920, it was converted into a printing shop on the first floor, and a living space upstairs. The business eventually merged with the Manti Messenger in 1972 and is now called the Sanpete Messenger. The newspaper offices are now in Manti, Utah.  The newspaper today is read not only by local citizens, but by hundreds who formerly called Sanpete County their home.