Looking for “Lost Pioneers”of Hole in the Rock

Over the past 130 years since pioneer families settled San Juan County, smatterings of journals, letters, and histories have been compiled by professionals and family historians, yet there still remains nearly 100 names whose complete story has not been told. 

Many are children who were with the original party who came through the Hole in the Rock.  (Forty percent of those on the trek were children.) Others who are “lost” made the trip to Bluff then moved on to other places. Though the names are known, the “rest of their story” isn’t.

In an effort to help, a blog (http://trekholeintherock.blogspot.com/ ) has been created which profiles pioneers in the first group who arrived in Bluff in April, 1880, as well as the vanguard pioneers who went the southern route and settled in Montezuma Creek in 1879.  A second site, featuring children who came through Hole in the Rock is in progress at http://childrenoftherock.blogspot.com/    

Families who are descendants of these pioneers are encouraged to submit stories and/or photos to jwilcox42@gmail.com .  Please document where the information came from or provide links to where it can be found.   Your help and detective work on the project is greatly appreciated.

Renewed interest in these histories has been triggered by Gerald Lund’s expansive story of their trials, The Undaunted.  Much credit for what is known goes to David Miller’s pivotal history, Hole in the Rock, which is now in its 8th printing by the University of Utah Press.

The Hole in the Rock Foundation is actively working on the restoration of the Bluff Fort.  This fall, they dedicated a memorial statue of President John Taylor, the prophet of the LDS Church during the San Juan Mission years. Many new cabins have been built and several more are planned for 2010.  Volunteers and donations are always welcome.  Contact HIR Foundation, PO Box 476 Bluff, Ut 84512, or e-mail inquiry@hirf.org

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