history of milburn
Milburn occupies a picturesque cove barely visible from the US 89 scenic overlook near Hilltop. Platted in 1886 on a rocky slope watered by Dry Creek, it was organized as a ward in 1896. The fair number of sawmills already built in canyons above it sparked the choice of name. Families began homesteading this herd ground of Fairview as early as 1876, so a majority of Milburner’s never lived in the town itself- loosely clustered around a school, church and stone store/dance hall whose walls still stand.
When Dry Creek turned wet and wiped out the town in 1903, the population spread out even more. Eventually so many moved away that the church dissolved the ward and transferred the last 33 members to Fairview in 1961.
The following is taken from “History of Sanpete County”
Milburn is a most picturesque mountain village, situated five miles north of Fairview and occupying the nicest little cove in the county. The village was first located about 1875, when Richard Graham, the present postmaster, took up a farm. He was followed by others, chiefly from Fairview and the present agricultural community was formed. The cooperative plan of constructing irrigation canals and forming financial companies was adopted, and a colonial farming town completed. A co-op store was run for a time, but the town being small, it was closed.
The Rio Grande Western Railroad was completed through the settlement in 1890 and a flag station established, giving a daily mail service connecting the colony with the markets of the world. The people are engaged in farming, stock raising and wool growing, and have erected some neat homes. One of the most noticeable buildings in Milburn is the elegant schoolhouse erected a few years ago.
The schools are equal to any in the county, being presided over by Professor Eli A. Day, the oldest teacher in Sanpete County. The district has 88 pupils and the school property is valued at $2,528.45.
A Latter-day Saints Ward was organized in 1890, with James W. Stewart as bishop. The several societies are all in a flourishing condition and peace, happiness and prosperity prevail throughout this rural settlement.
The location is one of the best natural reservoir sites in the state and with capital and business management, could be made of inestimable value to the county as a source of water supply for the reclamation of thousands of acres of now desert land, and creating here one of the most delightful pleasure resorts in the west.
The community had several early names such as Milborn and Millburn, all of which were related to the early sawmills built at the mouth of the nearby canyons. Today it is primarily an agricultural region.