Things to See

Although millions of tourist visit Zion National Park each year progress has not completely erased traces of the past history of the area.  In fact much of it still remains to  view for those who know where to look. We have listed 5 mini adventures for you to take to see things how they were 150 years ago.  Lets make a game of it. Visit these sites and and take a picture with your camera or phone.  Post them to Facebook or another photo sharing site, email them to prattsrock@prattfamilyadventures.net  or text them to 435-572-0007, any method will do.  The person who visits the most places and posts photos will win a Pratt Family tee shirt.
Good Luck

Adventure #1   Duncan's Retreat Town site

Nancy Ferguson Ott
Monument

There is not much left to mark Where the town of Duncan's Retreat once stood, still if you look carefully you will notice signs of a bygone era.  The modern day highway passes right over the old town site.  On the side of the road is a marker commemorating Nancy Ferguson Ott, an early pioneer and the first person who died in the town of Duncan's Retreat.  She was buried in the church yard but floods always threatened so the remaining people who died in the town were buried in the cemetery on the hillside above the wash.  Also remaining is part of the old road bed that led to grazing lands above the town.  One mysterious sign is a rock monument above the town on the side of the wash opposite of the cemetery.  Get a picture of the monument to Nancy Ferguson Ott, the road and the cemetery.  Bonus points for anyone who hikes up and gets a picture of the mysterious rock monument

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 This image from google earth show the location of the three sites. At the present time there is a rock quarry on the town site it is suggested that you not enter  the locked gate. You can access the cemetery by climbing the fence on the east end nearer the wash.

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This image shows an overlay of the town site from the 1879 survey.  You can use the land marks to locate the various properties. The Pratt lands were located on the east side of the wash.  The highway the the Virgin River cover much of the town site today. Much of the land is still being farmed today but is now on the opposite side of the river.

Adventure #2 Grafton Ghost Town
The ghost town of Grafton is a very unique place.  It has changed little over the years, giving visitors a peek into history and very good ideas how our ancestors lived.  There are a number of interesting things to see starting with the old meeting house which has been restored. An adjoining house house has also been restored.  Several other old houses, barns and orchards also still exist. To earn points on this adventure you must get pictures of these landmarks

 The Ghost town of Grafton is one of the most well known ghost towns in the country having been seen in numerous movies and TV shows.  It is the only original community on the upper Virgin River to have been built on the south side of the river.  It is well worth the visit

Just before you get to the town of Grafton you will come across the Grafton Cemetery. Many of the people

were neighbors of the Pratt's in Duncan's Retreat, including the Gibson's and the Stansworth's. A large inclosed grave site holds the Berry's who were killed by indians can also be seen at the cemetery.

  Another other graves hold two little girls who were killed in an accident. There story is told in the video below

Visit wwwl.redrockrondo.com for more on this excerpt from the Red Rock Rondo

Above the Cemetery is the remains of the old original road that led south to the Arizona Strip. 

This old road bed is now used by mountain bikers. It is   a good hike to the top of the mesa and the views are spectacular.  If you have time and are adventurous this would make a great family adventure.  It is from the top of this mesa that the pioneers would toss of burning tumble weeds  on the fourth of July. Their version of fireworks














Adventure #3 Kolob
The Pratt's and other pioneers of the area raised cattle and would keep them in the mountains above the valleys in the summer time.  Here the milked the cows and made butter and cheese.  At that time Grizzly Bears roamed free in the mountains. There are many pioneers stories of the days roaming the mountains in the summer time and the encounters with the Grizzly's. The Pratt boys Frank, Jonathan, and Thomas were young men who helped out on the ranch on the mountain.  The ranches were located near the present day Kolob Reservoir.

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The only remains of this period are two old cabins which belonged to the Pratt neighbors in Duncan's Retreat, the Wrights.  This property is still in the Wright family.  These cabins would be the best photo opportunity on this adventure.