Sterling is in Central Utah. Surveyed by James Snow in 1881 after securing rights to former Indian reservation land from the government. Most of the Pettyville settlers moved to this higher bench above Six Mile Creek, six miles south of Manti, and the main road was eventually rerouted to service them.
Scandinavian style stone mileage markers once signed the old route along the San Pitch. Teacher Gus Clark won the then considerable sum of $5.00 in a contest to name the place. One sore loser was so vexed that he slugged Clark, tarnishing the town's 'sterling' reputation. A quiet village with several pioneer adobe houses, the place still maintains two small stores that, along with the new warehouse, function as community centers.
The town of Sterling is approximately 2 hours south of Salt Lake City. To get to Sterling, Take I-15 Exit 225 at Nephi. Go East on Highway 132 until it intersects with Highway 89. Follow Highway 89 south until you reach Sterling.
To get to Sterling from the South take I-70 Exit 56 at Salina and follow Highway 89 north.
Additional Lodging can be found in Manti or Ephraim.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division