Photograph of Sweeten’s Band in Mendon, Utah. Left to right: front row: Joseph H. Hancock and Mormon D. Bird. Second row: Ervin Gardner (possibly Alfred Irvin Gardner?), William Isaac Sorensen, George Hughes, Gills Sweeten, and Mowry Baker. Back row: Charles Baker, Fred Sorensen, Joseph Hancock, Philip Sorensen, Robert Sweeten, John Westover, Magnus Larsen, and John Simon Baker.

(Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives, Mendon Collection)

A joke told in Mendon concerns Wellsville founder Peter Maughan stopping settlers and insisting that those who could sing remain in Wellsville. Those who only played instruments and could not contribute to Maughan’s choir were encouraged to continue on to settle in Mendon. Hence, the beginnings of Mendon’s locally famous band, an integral part of the community. Settlers (even those from Wellsville) congregated to socialize and dance to the band’s music. The bands have changed over the years, but bands have been a part of the community since the town’s founding.

In 1882, Frank Williams officially organized the Martial Band for young men and boys. Frank was a tailor and sewed the uniforms for the players.

Sweeten’s Brass Band was known for playing at the Mendon May Day festivities and romancing the crowd.

The Mendon Social Band played for many social functions as well. A staple for entertainment and fun, many of the early towns in Cache Valley had similar musical groups.

The Mendon Jazz Band became the band to play at Elite Hall in Hyrum, Utah, making it the place to be on Friday night. Many of the older residents remember going to these dances and meeting their sweethearts there. In the videos below, residents talk about the dances at Elite Hall, and some tell the story of how they met their spouse at these dances.