1776 | Father Escalante in search of route to
Pacific crossed Virgin River near Hurricane. |
1826 | Jedediah Smith, fur trader, with a
party of about 16 men exploring the region, traversed Virgin
River. |
1847 | Brigham Young and his hand of Mormons
founded Salt Lake City and began the colonization of Utah. |
1858 | The colonization of Utah's "Dixie"
begun by the Mormons. |
1858 | Zion Canyon discovered by Nephi
Johnson, a Mormon scout. |
1861 | Joseph Black explored the canyon and 1
or 2 years later was followed by a few settlers who farmed in the
canyon, which they called "Little Zion." |
1872 | Maj. John Wesley Powell visited the
region and gave name "Mukuntuweap" to north fork and "Parunuweap" to
east fork of Virgin River. |
1909 | Mukuntuweap National Monument
established by Presidential proclamation. |
1914 | Frederick Vining Fisher visited Zion
Canyon and gave names to many of the outstanding formations, such as
Great white Throne and Angels Landing. |
1917 | Wylie Way Camp, first tourist
accommodations, constructed. |
1918 | Monument enlarged and the name changed
to Zion by Presidential proclamation. |
1919 | Monument changed to a national park by
act of Congress. |
1923 | President Warren G. Harding visited
the park on June 27. |
1930 | East Rim road and tunnel completed and
dedicated. |