Settlement of Hatch
In 1872, Meltair Hatch embarked on a significant journey, settling at the head of the Sevier River near the junction of Mammoth and Asay Creeks. His endeavors in stock raising and operating a water-powered sawmill marked the beginning of what would become the town of Hatch. The initial settlement attracted other pioneers, leading to the surveying of land and the construction of irrigation ditches. One notable early contribution was by Neils P. Clove, who burned lime essential for building. The first school in Hatch operated out of the Hatch home, with Abram Workman serving as the teacher.
By 1888, the Asay Post Office was relocated to Hatch, with Neils Ivor Clove as the postmaster. The community’s growth was further solidified in 1892 when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) organized the Mammoth Ward, led by Bishop Aaron Asay. The ward was renamed Hatch in 1899, reflecting the town’s growing identity. Between 1901 and 1904, under the leadership of Bishop Rosmus Lynn, the town moved to its present site, laying the foundations for the modern-day Hatch in Garfield County, Utah.
