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

Relic Home in Little Denmark

This beautiful house was once the home of William Seely, a prominent citizen, Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1859 to 1890, first Mayor of Mt. Pleasant, businessman, and leader in Sanpete County.  One of the first homes to be built outside of the Mt. Pleasant Fort, is now known as the Relic Home.

Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter
Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter

Built in 1869 this magnificent structure has a hint of Greek Revival architecture.  Here he resided with his wife Charlotte and their nine children.

Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter
Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter

History has placed President Brigham Young at the home, helping to place the floor in the entry way and sitting at the dining room table during a visit.

Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter
Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter

It also has been reported that the final treaty was signed Saturday, September 7, 1872 that ended the Black Hawk War between the Ute Indians and the Mormon settlers, at the entrance of the home.

Representing the United States Government was General Morrow from Camp Douglas, and representing the Ute Native Americans were Sanpitch’s Chief Black Hawk and Chief Indian Joe placing their respective mark on the treaty. Chief Black Hawk History has recorded that Chief Black Hawk had been wounded at the battle on Diamond Hill; he stood tall and dignified as he signed the treaty.

Around 1949 or 1950 the Mt. Pleasant Historical Association acquired the home for the expressed use of a museum.

Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter
Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter

Here the rooms are filled with large hanging portraits on the walls of early pioneers, historical sites, and homes.

There is also a wealth of treasures in family histories and genealogies of the early pioneers and their descendants.

Photo Courtesy Randee Ryan Zinter
Photo Courtesy Randee Ryan Zinter

There has also been a collection of early homesteads and their history.

Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter
Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter

That is not all that is held within its walls, there are many artifacts that were used and worn during these early days in history.

Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter
Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter

This is a must see museum on your next trip in Sanpete County, Mt. Pleasant.

Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter
Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter

Along the north side of the property is an authentic working blacksmith shop, owned by Pete Hafen.  One of the many outstanding features of the shop is the Prairie Diamond Rings.

Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter
Photo Courtesy of Randee Ryan Zinter

It has been told that while crossing the mountains and plains a young couple fell in love and wanted to marry. Of course there was no money to be had, neither a general store, merchant, or jeweler. Hearing of the young couples plight, a kind blacksmith fired up the forge, and  took a horse shoe nail to make a wedding ring. 3 prairie diamond rings It became known as the Prairie Diamond due to the diamond shaped trademark stamped on the head of the nail that  represented the Diamond Company.  If you are lucky enough on your visit, Pete, the blacksmith just might have a supply on hand or be in the process of making a supply of rings to give the ladies that visit his shop.

Prairie Diamond

As the settlers came west to settle their land,

Many of the youth walked hand in hand.

Some fell in love and wanted to marry,

But, money and jewelry they did not carry.

A kind young blacksmith knew just what to do.

He bent the nail from an old horseshoe.

The Prairie Diamond  was the name of the ring. 

So much happiness it surely did bring.

Many of  the family histories, photographs, and a wealth of information contained in the Relic Home was assembled by Co-Director Tudy Standlee.  She has assembled and identified the information on the families so that visitors will know in an instant what treasures the Relic Home has to offer.  She has also responsible for the compiled history on the historic homes and their ownership since the beginning of Mt. Pleasant, Utah.

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