Manti was founded in 1852 by Alpheus Cutler and Edmund Fisher, both of whom were prominent members of the newly founded Mormon religion, and led the formation of the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite).

[1] Manti originally received its name in reference to a city mentioned in the Book of Mormon.

Cutler left from Nauvoo, Illinois and traveled west until settling in the south western corner of Iowa with several others families to form Manti.

The Mormon community stayed until the late 1860s before relocating to Clitherall, Minnesota.

[2] Within Manti, there is a dense canopy of trees and many wild animals living within the former town.