Utah State Parks Blog

Jedediah Smith Monument Dedication

Fremont Indian State Park & Museum – April 23, 2016; 11 a.m. – FREE

CLEAR CREEK CANYON — History buffs and tourists have a new reason to visit the Fishlake National Forest and Fremont Indian State Park thanks to a monument of Jedediah Smith.

The marker, located on the Fillmore Ranger District, is set to be dedicated Saturday, April 23, at 11 a.m.

The public is invited to attend the dedication, free of charge.

According to historical records, Smith traveled through Clear Creek Canyon in search of beaver furs in the fall of 1826. The jaunt through the region was documented in Smith’s journal of his first expedition to California, which occurred between August 1826 and July 1827.

Smith’s explorations of the west led to the use of the South Pass, which served as the dominant crossing point for pioneers on the Oregon Trail as they traversed the Continental Divide.

The monument is the result of collaboration between Utah State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, the Old Spanish Trail Association and a trails enhancement grant through the Recreational Trails Program.

It was designed by Don Merritt and built by Bob Leonard.

“It was a multi-personnel task,” Merritt said.

The ceremony is slated to include a speech from Richfield Mayor David Ogden and a short expression of gratitude for the partners involved in creating the monument.

The Rocky Mountain Fur Trading Company is also slated to attend the dedication and use it as a kickoff for the Mountain Man Rendezvous, which is scheduled to take place at the park in May.

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum is located in Clear Creek Canyon, 21 miles south of Richfield on Interstate 70, exit 17. The Jedediah Smith historic site is situated along Clear Creek Canyon Road approximately 2 miles east of the visitor center, near point of interest number 12, on the north side of the road.

For more information, call (435) 527-4631.

Jedediah Smith Monument

Jedediah Smith Monument

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