History of Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is one of the most unique and awe-inspiring places in the United States. It is located in south-central Utah, just off the Colorado Plateau. This area was once home to Native American tribes like the Fremont and Anasazi people who constructed dwellings from mud and sandstone over 2000 years ago. As settlers moved into the area, they discovered various natural wonders including canyons, cliffs, mesas, and buttes. This landscape is known for its unique geological formations and numerous fossils found in the region.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City wanted to establish missions in remote areas of the intermountain west. In 1866, a group of Mormon explorers, with a quasi-military approach, ventured into the high valleys to the west in pursuit of American Indians. As time went on, settlers moved into these valleys and established towns like Junction (later renamed Fruita), Clifton, Giles, Elephant, Caineville, Aldridge, and Hanksville. Major John Wesley Powell's expeditions also contributed to the exploration of the area.

Soon after, more people arrived, and small communities formed along the life-sustaining Fremont River, including Loa, Fremont, Lyman, Bicknell, and Torrey. In 1880, Nels Johnson settled in Capitol Reef country and claimed his homestead in Fruita. The settlers in Fruita recognized the abundance of water and the heat that reflected off canyon walls, nourishing the soil. Johnson was the first to plant orchards of various trees such as apples, peaches, pears, plums, walnuts, and almonds. He later married Mary Jane Behunin, whose father Elijah Cutler Behunin was another early resident of Fruita. Behunin's small cabin, located along Utah Highway 24, still stands today.

In 1878 Franklin D. Richards, a Mormon settler, founded Fruita in Wayne County. Today, Fruita is the site of the park headquarters. At the same time along the Fremont River, other pioneers were also trying to start their small communities.

Fast forward to 1910, Ephraim P. Pectol of Torrey envisioned "Wayne Wonderland" becoming a national or state park. With the help of Joseph H. Hickman, a member of the Utah state legislature, 160 acres were allocated for the park.

In 1933, Pectol was elected to the legislature, and convinced them to propose Wayne Wonderland as part of the national park system. Finally, in 1937, Capitol Reef National Monument was established with the help of key individuals like E. P. Pectol, J. E. Broaddus, a Salt Lake writer, and Dr. A. L. Inglesby of Torrey.

Eventually, due to the growing popularity of the Canyonlands area thanks to Lake Powell, the monument was expanded to include most of the Waterpocket Fold. In 1971, this stunning natural wonder was officially designated as a park within the national park system.

Today Capitol Reef National Park is a stunning natural wonder that attracts people from all over the world. Visitors enjoy exploring the park's slot canyons, colorful sandstone cliffs, and geological formations. They also have access to attractions like Hickman Bridge and Cassidy Arch, which offer spectacular views of the canyon landscape.

In addition to its breathtaking scenery, Capitol Reef National Park is home to various wildlife. Visitors can spot lizards, sagebrush larks, golden eagles, and even bighorn sheep. The park also has several historic sites such as the Pioneer Register, an inscription on rocks in which early settlers documented their names and dates of arrival or departure from the area.