Determined pioneers walked across the Great Plains and settled in a dry desert with unrelenting conditions, choosing a life that was not easy and demanded daily commitment to work. Rising with the sun, they cared for their animals and tended their fields, and this commitment shaped their lives because their success depended on industriousness. Unafraid of work and unwilling to be idle, they became skilled farmers and master craftsmen, and by using their skills and collaborating together, they created profitable livelihoods. Self-sufficiency and independence were integral to their way of life as individuals and families worked hard and worked together to conquer the untamed wilderness and lay the foundation for successful settlements. Sawmills in Manti provided lumber for rapid building, the wool industry was an important source of income for many in the valley, and a stone bridge built in Manti in 1870 showcased the skilled workmanship of the pioneers. Without machinery to assist them, much of their work was done by hand and required many labor hours, including smoothing, shaping, and straightening planks of wood for building.