Lee's Ferry Area

explanation of Ranch area

We have visited the ranch area and the gardens.  The also have bee hives in the area that provided polinization and a source for honey.

Old Head Stone in cemetary

 We have been encouraged by the Mission to visit as many of the historical sites in our area.  We went to this settlement by Lees Ferry. This area was originall established to offer transportation for the Mormon Pioneers accross the Colorado River for those headed South into Arizona.   Prior to the ferry operation Arizona was essentially cut off from the development taking place to the North in Utah.  This country of steep canyons and highlands made any journey difficuldt, but one intimidating geographic feature, the Colorado River made it almost impossible.

The Mormon Church quickly realized how a viable river crossing could support their development.  The Church was the first to send men, supplies, and a ferry operator named John D. Lee to a remote outpost at the confluence of the Colorado River and the Paria Rivers.  Here the rivers create a short interruption in the canyon walls by separating geologic features of Glenn and Marble canyons.  This was the only spot for hundreds of miles in either direction where the canyon walls  go from violently sheer to mildly sloping, enabling wagons and livestock to make it to the waters edge. The original ferry was launched in 1872 and was capable of carrying one wagon and team accross the river.  The river was unpredictible and often violent and it was not uncommon to have the load overturned and the property washed down stream.

Johnson Family died of Diptheria brought in by
outsiders

This is Lucy Emmett head stone in the cemetary.  Many
are old and unreadable

The Mormon Pioneers were totally self sufficient due to the difficulty of getting supplies.  There is a huge orchard next to the main house and they allow the residents to pick the fruit.  There are apricots, plums, peaches, apples and pears in the orchard. 
We went on the first trip and picked a few grocery sacks full of apricots and made feezer jam.  We take the jam with us as a means to get in doors of inactives.

Head Stone in Cemetary.  Many of the markers have
weathered abay but are still readable.

 Sister Gardner is teaching several of the young women and sisters to make freezer jam out of the fruit that is available in the orchards.

Early pioneer headstone.  Some of the early pioneer lost loved
ones and they were buried in the cemetary

 One of the garden crops currently planted is Zuchinni squash.  We have made Zuchinni bread and have taken that to homes both as a door entry and as a means to use what they produce in their gardens.   The Winter squash with its hard outer skin is one that keeps for many months and is easily stored.

 Jacob Hamblin was one of the early pioneers that spent a great deal of time in this area.

The Cemetary was made available for many of the area
travelers that came through and used the crossing.

The route along the Echo Cliffs which extend from Marble Canyon to the Gap in the South is also known as the Honeymoon trail.  Many of the early Pioneers used this trail to go from upper Arizona Area to the St George Temple.  The trip usually took two or three months to complete.  That trail follows Highway 89 to the south and goes right behind the present chapel and then followed Highway 89a down to Marble Canyon.  There is about a 3000 foot drop in elevation from the Chapel to Marble Canyon.

The final trip using the ferry was 1928 when the Navajo Canyon Bridge was originally completed.  This bridge still stands today even though a more modern and wider bridge is next to the old bridge.  The years 1876 to 1890 were the busiest years for the ferry.
After the crossing there was a long and ardious journey out of the canyon.  The main road out was known as Lee's Backbone.  This is a trail that paralleled the area now known as Vermillion Cliffs.  With steep, uneven climb with some drops of 350 feet made the journey difficult.

With the river crossing it has been said that there were not many historic events that occured at Lees Ferry but a lot of history has passed through and over this trail