Discovery Road – Winner of Best In State 2022 – Best Documentary

Since its debut in 2012, Discovery Road has produced over 60 episodes, taking viewers on immersive journeys down U.S. Highway 89 through six historic counties in central and southern Utah.

 

Each 30-minute episode blends history, mystery, heritage, and natural beauty into family-friendly storytelling that educates as much as it entertains.

 

Broadcast locally on KUED-TV and across the country through the National Educational Television Association, or NETA, the series has become a public media touchstone for anyone seeking a deeper connection to the region’s past. It is also used in classrooms across the state as part of Utah’s history curriculum.

Mormon Pioneers traveling to the west Covered Wagons Courtesy of Shaun Messick

The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area is the only National Heritage Area designated and named for a specific people, the Mormon Pioneers – as they forged to the west. Their remarkable story of dedication, fortitude, and extraordinary efforts offers one of the best features of the Mormon colonization experience in the United States. The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area has been identified by Congress as a factor in the expansion of the United States and contributing to the United States.

Districts

travel planner for the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area

Cowboys, Outlaws, and the Movies 

The unique landscape features a geological wonderland that has been the backdrop for feature films including; “Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid,” and “Jeremiah Johnson.” While traveling through the picturesque scenery, you might recognize a scene or two. Included in the heritage area is the birthplace of Utah outlaws, Butch Cassidy and Matt Warner. Matt was a lifelong friend and a gang member alongside of Butch.  Many movies were filmed in the scenic Under the Rim District of the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area.

Mormon Colonization 

In the later part of the 1800s the Mormon pioneers began their great relocation to the west. They trekked 1,400 miles from Illinois to the Great Salt Lake. This mass-Exodus brought about colonization in Utah, Nevada, the southwest corner of Wyoming, the southeast corner of Idaho, southeast Oregon, and a large portion of southern and eastern California.

log cabin with Mormon Pioneer Family Echo City Utah
Family Portrait of Mormon Pioneers in Echo City, Utah

Welcome to the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area

Mormon Pioneer Timeline

Timeline of Settlement and Development (1849-1956)

Sanpete County
Sevier County
Kane County
Garfield County
Wayne County
1849
Sanpete County
Mormon pioneers, led by Isaac Morley, were sent by Brigham Young to settle the Sanpete Valley. The first settlement was established at the present-day site of Manti, and the city of Manti is officially founded.
1852
Sanpete County
The Utah Territorial Legislature officially creates Sanpete County. An altercation between settlers and Native Americans occurred in the Salina area (Sevier County).
1852-1854
Sanpete County
The first large influx of Scandinavian immigrants, mostly Danish, arrived in the Sanpete Valley. Many joined other settlers in what is now Ephraim.
1853-1854
Sanpete County
The Walker War temporarily interrupted settlement as some pioneers were forced to abandon their homes or fortify their towns.
1858
Kane County
Mormons began colonizing the area known as “Utah’s Dixie,” with some initial settlements later becoming part of Kane County.
1859
Sevier County
Settlers began starting irrigation systems near the mouth of the Sevier River.
1862
Kane County
Glendale was founded by John and William Berry.
1864
Kane County
Kane County is formally created from parts of Washington County and unorganized territory. The town of Kanab was first settled, with Fort Kanab built as a base for exploration and defense.
Sevier County
Albert Lewis led a small group to establish a settlement that would become Richfield.
Garfield County
Garfield County was initially formed from parts of Iron, Kane, and Sevier counties. The city of Panguitch is settled.
1865-1868
Sanpete County
The Black Hawk War caused disruption and temporary abandonment of some settlements in the Sanpete Valley.
Kane County
Hostilities during the Black Hawk War forced many early settlers to leave Kane County settlements.
1865-1872
Sevier County
The Black Hawk War significantly impacted settlements in the Sevier Valley, causing some to be abandoned.
1866
Kane County
Due to ongoing raids and attacks by Native American tribes, settlers were forced to abandon Kanab and Glendale.
1870
Kane County
Following negotiations for peace with local tribes, Mormon pioneers returned to the area and re-established the settlement of Kanab. Brigham Young visited Kanab twice to supervise its town planning.
1871
Kane County
Settlers resettled the town of Glendale.
1871-1874
Sevier County
The town of Monroe was re-established after the conflicts of the 1860s had subsided.
1874
Kane County
The communal living experiment known as the United Order was established in Orderville on Brigham Young’s encouragement.
Wayne County
The first large herd of cattle was introduced into Rabbit Valley, attracting settlers.
1875
Garfield County
The city of Escalante is founded.
1876
Kane County
The town of Escalante was founded.
Wayne County
About a dozen families began to settle in Rabbit Valley. James P. Sampson settles East Loa, which later becomes Lyman.
Late 1870s
Wayne County
Settlements are established in what would become Teasdale, Torrey, and other areas.
1880
Kane County
The famous Hole-in-the-Rock expedition, consisting of 250 Mormon pioneers, passed through Kane County to settle southeastern Utah.
1881
Garfield County
The territorial legislature officially establishes Garfield County, naming it after assassinated U.S. President James A. Garfield. Panguitch was designated as the county seat.
1882
Garfield County
The permanent county seat was established in Pomeroy.
Wayne County
A group led by Ebeneazer Hanks settles in Graves Valley, which is later renamed Hanksville.
1883
Kane County
The county seat was officially moved to Kanab.
1889
Garfield County
Settlers established the town of Boulder, which remained isolated due to poor road access until the 1930s.
1890s
Garfield County
A gold rush brought prospectors to the Henry Mountains within the county.
1892
Wayne County
Wayne County is created by the Utah Territory from the eastern part of Piute County.
1900-1936
Sevier County
Water rights issues on the Sevier River were resolved through a series of decrees, allowing for more permanent and stable irrigation.
1920s-1930s
Kane County
The film industry discovered the area, and Kanab earned the nickname “Little Hollywood.” Local entrepreneurs developed lodging and services for film crews.
1928
Garfield County
Bryce Canyon National Park was established, boosting the county’s tourism industry.
1956
Kane County
The construction of the Glen Canyon Dam began, leading to a population boom in Kanab as the economy grew. The resulting Lake Powell created new recreational opportunities.

This program receives Federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability or age in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office for Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 849 C Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

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