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History of Zion National Park

Zion Human History Museum - This building was once Zion’s Visitor Center, but today it serves as a museum, shuttle stop and parking area.  Zion’s historic culture is the main theme, showcasing those that lived in the Zion area including Indians and pioneers, but the displays are not limited to human history.  Geological history is also examined and displayed.  Plan to take a half-hour of your time and enjoy a free video of the park. 

Other Historic Buildings in Zion

Zion Trail History - Many of Zion's front country trails were constructed in the 1920's and 1930's. The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) constructed Zion's hiking trails using picks, shovels and explosives. Even though mules carried much of the burden, moving water and cement mix up the trails the work was difficult. These were hard times. America entered World War I in April 1917 and the great depression ranged from 1919-1922. The Riverside Walk (Gateway to the Narrows), Emerald Pools, Observation Point and West Rim Trails were all constructed in 1925. The path to Angels Landing was finished a year later. Canyon Overlook was constructed in 1932 and the Watchman Trail was completed in 1934. The newest trail in the park is the Pa'rus trail, constructed in 1995.

Hiking in Zion National Park

Directions to Zion National Park From the North: Travel I-15 south, past Beaver. Exit on Hwy 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take SR-9 to Zion's east entrance. From Arizona: Travel US-89A through Fredonia, Arizona and Kanab Utah. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take SR-9 to the east park entrance. From the South: Travel I-15 north. Take exit 16 and travel through Hurricane to LaVerkin. Continue on SR-9 to the south entrance of the park. SR-9 through Zion National Park is always open and is also called the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.			Zion Photo: Author of the site, Tanya Milligan, in Pine Creek Canyon. Few engage in the world of canyoneering, but the Pine Creek hike can be explored by most.
	Zion National Park Lodging Lodging and services are available in East Zion. The main road through Zion, the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (SR-9) is open year-round, and is not a route the Zion Canyon Shuttle takes. Zion Canyon is deep inside the park. Towering 3000' walls form a slot canyon, forged by the violent rush of torrent water over millions of years. From late March to late October access through the six mile stretch of road is via the Zion Canyon Shuttle, the rest of the year the canyon is accessed in private vehicles.

Zion National Park Timeline

1776 - Sivestre Velez de Escalante and Dominguez Escalante explored the Kolob Canyons area.

1851 - Mormon settlers used the Kolob Canyons area for timber and grazing stock and they gave it the name Kolob.

1858 - Nephi Johnson arrives, noted at the time that the Mormon's discovered the canyon.

1863- Zion's first settler, Isaac Behunin lived in a log cabin near where Zion Lodge is today.  Mormon settlers left their mark, giving Zion the name that would eventually stick. Mormons awed by the immense beauty of the canyon, referred to it as, "Zion" since its magnificence reminded them of a heavenly city described in the Little Zion - Old Testament. , Isaac Behunin said: "These great mountains are natural temples of God. We can worship here as well as in the man-made temples in Zion, the biblical heavenly "City of God". Mormon leader, Brigham Young, traveled from Salt Lake City, and even though he agreed with the immense beauty, he would not allow an earthy place to have the name, "Zion." Unable to fully accept this, the Mormon settlers referred to the area as, "not Zion" or as "Little Zion." 

1872 - The first European-American comes to explore Parunuweap Canyon, also known as the East Fork of the Virgin River from Mt. Carmel Jct. to what was once the town of Shunesburg. The historic town was washed away by the Virgin River in 1868. You can actually hike down to the river and see the Powell Plaque. The Plaque Reads:

"Major John Wesley Powell 1834-1902 explorer, scientist, Steven V. Jones 1840-1920 teacher, topographer, Joseph W. Young 1829-1873 Mormon pioneer leader, Descended Labyrinth Falls 1/2 mile below Monday, September 30, 1872 during first Parunuweap Canyon traverse. Powell named this canyon from the Paiute Indian word Parunuweap' which means roaring water canyon. Dedicated September 30, 1872."  

Also that year, artist and writer Frederick S. Dellenbach accompanied Powell during his second exploration of the Grand Canyon and photographers James Fennemore and John Hillers record the Kolob Plateau on film. 

1873 - Well known photographers, Hillers and Fennemore return to the Zion area, a year after their first visit, to continue their photographic project of Zion and the Virgin River.

1900 - David Flanigan begins work on what is known today as the historic cable works.

1904 - At least one artist impacted the popularity of Mukuntuweap in 1903 when Frederick S. Dellenbach's painting of Zion's great monoliths were displayed at the St. Louis World's Fair.  He also wrote about the beauty of this corner of Utah in the then popular, Scribner's magazine.

1908 - Completion of the federal land survey of the Zion Canyon area. The survey resulted in the proclamation of a new Monument.

1909  - The canyon was declared a National Monument by President Taft after receiving the  survey results.  The Paiute name Mukuntuweap (sacred cliffs or straight canyon) that Powell used during his exploration was chosen and farming of the canyon by Mormon settlers came to an end.

1916 - The National Park Service is created.

1917 -  Temporary lodging called Wylie Camp was setup in the canyon. Yard, a member of the American Civic Association requested the name be changed to Zion Canyon.  A road for autos was created leading into the canyon. 

1918 - Mukuntuweap was renamed Zion National Monument by the director of the National Park Service. When the size of the monument was expanded from the original 5,840 acres to 76,800 acres, Zion Canyon was no longer appropriate the name Zion National Monument was given. In 1919 the monument was declared a National Park and the name Zion National Park was set in stone by President Wilson.

1919 - Congress declares the Monument to be Zion National Park, becoming Utah's oldest National Park.

1921 -  An idea to increase tourism to Zion, by making a route from Zion to Bryce and the Grand Canyon was discussed by a well known writer and three well known naturalists.  Roads were paved and the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel idea was put into action to make travel easier between the parks.

1925 - Zion's first lodge and 46 cabins were built replacing Wylie Camp.  They were sold much later. Two can be seen in Mt. Carmel Jct., across from the Chevron gas station and two others are still in Ordervile behind Fisher's Rock Shop.

1927 - Construction starts on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.

1928 - Bryce Canyon is established.

1929 -Seven paintings of Zion created by Howard Russell Butler were used to promote the park and signify the early days of the NPS. The art was exhibited at the Museum of Science in Buffalo, NY in 1929. 

1931 - The Morrison's opened their cafe in Mt. Carmel Jct. The Home of the Ho-made Pies. Today there is much more than just a restaurant. Jack died in 1961, but after his death Fern updated their gas station, built a Best Western Hotel, Golf Course, Gift Shop, small RV Park and a home that is rented out to groups now. It is all how she left it and still family owned and operated. Two of the original Zion Cabin cabins were built into her home that is now rented out as a vacation house.

1933 - Famous Southwest artist Maynard Dixon travels to Zion National Park and paints over forty works of art during his visit.  In 1939 the Dixons built a log cabin and spent their summers in nearby Mount Carmel. The cabin remains there today.

1934 - Zion Nature Center - This beautiful building that was constructed in 1934 was once the Zion Cafeteria. Today it is used for the Jr. Ranger Program.

1937 - The Kolob Canyon's area was declared Zion National Monument.

1956 - The Kolob Canyon's area, previously known as Zion National Monument became part of Zion National Park.  The size of the park becomes 229 sq. miles.

1966 -After the Zion Lodge was destroyed by fire in 1966 a new building was thrown up quickly, which in 1990 was restored to look much like the original.

1995 - Rock slide blocks Zion Canyon.

2000 - Zion Canyon Shuttle Bus system begins.

2009 - President Obama signs the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, adding 124,406 acres of park land as Zion Wilderness.

History of the Thunderbird