Kanab Pioneer Cemetery

Location: 173 East 405 North, Kanab, Utah

This is a plot of ground, surrounded by a chain link fence, and has a monument that lists seven names of pioneers that are known to be buried here between 1873 and 1879.  The monument erected by Camp Willow of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, states “In memory of our Kanab Pioneers known and unknown, who are buried here.”  These names and burial dates are from the earliest years of our town, and the surnames are long time residents of Kanab.  The remains of the headstones have been removed and preserved from the weather. 

John Wesley Powell Monument

94 North 100 West

From 1870 to 1878, John Wesley Powell and Almon H. Thompson of the Colorado River Expeditions established headquarters in Kanab.  In 1872, they erected a large tent in which housed a telescope. The roof of the tent was folded back so the telescope of the transit could be brought to bear on the stars.  By this means and a time connection by telegraph with Salt Lake City, the meridian was exactly established. The first baseline between the Colorado State Line and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, was the one which the Powell survey established.

The first preliminary map of the Grand Canyon region was made in this tent on a lot in Kanab during the winter of 1872/83.

Major John Wesley Powell and Frederick S. Dellenbaugh and were the first to put the name ”Grand Canyon” on a map, which happened in that tent in Kanab in January 1873.

Frederick Dellenbaugh said that a monument should be erected in Kanab designating this spot from which the geological survey of the Rocky Mountain Region started, he gave Rose Hamblin, the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Historian, the inscription to be placed on the monument.  The top rock is an original marking made by the survey team. This monument was dedicated May 13, 1955.

William Derby Johnson Home / Cole Hotel / Purple Sage

58   South Main St.

This is a twelve room, one story frame, hall and parlor house attached to a two-story frame, Italianate box-style addition.  It was built in 1884 by William Derby Johnson, Jr.  William was the only Kanab man to make a river run with Major John Wesley Powell.  He sold the home to George C. Neagle in 1889 and in 1890 it sold to Alfred D. Young, who in 1901 sold to Thomas Cole. 

Thomas Cole turned it into hotel which was run by Eleanor McAllister for many years.   The legendary writer, Zane Grey, rented a room here and stayed during some of his writings.  Zane Grey came into our area in 1907 when he met J. C. “Buffalo” Jones and Jim Emett. 

In 1911, George Hicks bought the hotel and used it as a residence as well as apartments and hotel.  

This house was in dilapidated condition when Arthur and Alice Brown came from California and began restoring the long- neglected structure.  This took 12 years to restore it to its present condition. 

The present owners are Kathy and Tory Brock and it is now a Bed and Breakfast where it can be viewed and appreciated.

Nathan Adams Log Cabin and House

(Kanab’s oldest standing log cabin)

93 North 200 West

Late in the year 1870, Nathan and Mary Melinda Plunkett Adams moved to Kanab in the first year Kanab was resettled..  In the year 1880 they purchased this lot. The cabin was built by Alfred Douglas Young, with the trees being harvested and the spaces between the logs being filled with clay and straw. 

While their larger house was being built they lived in this log cabin and a wagon.

The Adams built this one-story brick, hall and parlor house with a rear T-extension in three phases.  There is a cellar under the house and the soil taken from the cellar was used to make the brick.

Nathan was a prominent figure in the early days, assisting Major John Wesley Powell on the Powell Survey and also helping Jacob Hamblin on his peace keeping missions to the Indians.    Present owner is Karen Weiss.

Earliest Kanab Post Office

22 North Main Street.

Prior to 1914, the mail in Kanab had been handled in several different places, including various homes, the courthouse, and space in private business establishments. When Persis Ann Brown Spencer became the postmistress, she saw how important it was for the town of Kanab to have a proper post office, and she saw that one was built. This post office had letterboxes, convenient window-delivery and a service desk in the lobby.  It has been restored with living space in the top story. Presently owned by Eve Levrae.

Bowman Mercantile - Picket Lumber Company

97 West Center Street

The Bowman Building was Kanab’s hardware and general mercantile store beginning in 1901. This building is one of the few original downtown structures left standing in Kanab.  This store was used as a general merchandise store until 1933-34 and the property went to ZCMI. Picket Lumber Company from St. George then leased the store. .  Several other businesses have been housed in this building the latest on the west side being the Rocking V Restaurant.   Present owners are Victor and Victoria Cooper.

In 1924 the east side of the building was added.  This became Dan Frost’s Modern Cash store and later became the Bradshaw Auto Parts.  Now owned by Jonathan and Kanya Isgreen and Faimunvi Isgreen.

Old Kanab Fort Site - Levi Stewart Memorial Park

Brigham Young sent Jacob Hamblin to build a fort for the protection of the first settlers.  The fort was started in 1865 and completed in September of 1869 allowing the permanent settlement to begin in 1870.  Levi Stewart was appointed to be in charge of the affairs until a permanent organization could be formed.

In April, 1950 a ceremony was held on the site of the old Fort at which time a plaque was dedicated to honor Levi Stewart beside one honoring Jacob Hamblin, also one about Fort Kanab.

On June 16, 2001, the new Levi Stewart Memorial Park was dedicated.  The original  plaques remain at the park although the petrified wood monuments were removed. 

Kanab Heritage House

100 South Main Street

This beautiful Victorian house is the former home of two early pioneer families in Kanab, Henry Eyring Bowman and Thomas Chamberlain. It was constructed between 1892 and 1894 by master builder John Rider, using native brick.  The foundation was of local sandstone.

This home has been painstakingly restored to its original splendor and is on the National Register.  It was purchased by the City of Kanab in 1974.  Visitors are invited to tour the home when open.  Hours to tour this beautiful home are from May 1^st to October 1^st, Monday through Friday, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The grounds are open to explore, and can be reserved at the City of Kanab Office for special occasions

Rider - Pugh Home

17 West 100 South St.

This brick Victorian Eclectic Pyramid house with Victorian trim was built in 1892 by John Rider.  John Rider sold this home to Edward Pugh in 1896.  It has been continually occupied by the descendants of Edward and Elizabeth Pugh, first by James A. Brown family, the Melvin and Vola Rider family and presently, Kenneth and Yvonne Rider Stirland.  The Stirlands have restored this beautiful home from the basement foundation to the roof. 

Sixtus Ellis Johnson House

11 East 100 South Street

This one-story hall-parlor house was built in 1891 with native brick and a gable roof.  The foundation is native sandstone quarried nearby.  The builder is unknown.  The owners of this home ware Sixtus Ellis Johnson and his wife Mary Ann Hamblin.  Sixtus, born in 1870, came to Kanab with his parents to colonize Johnson Canyon.  His father, Nephi, is credited with the being the first white man to discover Zion Canyon (now Zion National Park).  This home is presently owned by Thayne and Jo Johnson Smith.

Charles Robert Pugh House

116 South 100 West St.

Charles Robert Pugh built this one-and-a-half cruciform crosswing, Second Empire style home in 1906, using stone from the house his father, Edward, originally built on this lot.  Edward Pugh built the first rock house outside of the Kanab Fort .  Charles was born in 1874 in Kanab, was a farmer and rancher.  Presently owned by Trudy Glantx and Rick Renier.

John Franklin and Elizabeth Fuller Brown House

109 South 200 West Street

This two-story house Victorian style frame house with eclectic trim was built around 1900 by John Franklin Brown.  He was 13 when his family moved to Kanab.  When first married, he opened a blacksmith shop, was a lawyer, sheriff and supervised the construction of the Kanab Creek Dam and many roads.  In 1901 he bought a sawmill at Jacob Lake, in 1912, the mill burned and the next year he bought a new sawmill and sawed lumber at Lefevre and Nail Canyons.  Present day owner is Barbara Kropf.

Willard E. Ford - Nephi Merrill Johnson House

193 South 100 West Street

This one-story, brick bungalow with gable roof, home was built by Willard Ford before 1918.  It was originally a small two room native brick house. Nephi and his mother, Julia Shumway Johnson, purchased the two rooms in 1918.  Nephi and his wife Jane Mace,  incorporated them into a new addition.  Nephi was elected mayor of Kanab in 1923, and was instrumental in improving the culinary water system by obtaining a wooden pipeline.  He died in 1925 and his wife, Jane, established the first Telephone Office in this home. Present owner is Paul B. Harrison.

William J. Mackelprang House

388 South Main Street

A one-story brick craftsman bungalow with gable roof home was built for William Mackelprang, a rancher and cattleman, in 1917.  The foundations, sills and lintels are of conglomerate stone quarried southeast of Kanab.  The stone gate was originally in front of the home of John Ensign Riggs on 44 South 200 West Street.  (This home was torn down in 1987.)  Virgil Riggs had the stone gate moved to this home from his boyhood home.  The present owner is Mrs. Gladys Riggs.

Brigham Adelbert Riggs, Jr. House

259 S. 100 West St.

Brigham Adelbert Riggs, Jr., built this craftsman bungalow with gable roof and native stone windowsills. The bricks were hand made from local soil. His son, Elson, moved back in this home in 1944.  Elson’s wife, Ida, did not like the way the sand blew under the French doors, so she replaced them with windows.  Elson and Ida then searched the hills until they found identical stone to match the other windowsills.  The present owners are Lynn and Lon Riggs.

Chamberlain - Little Home

38 E. 100 South Street

In 1917 a new school was built in Kanab to replace the “Old Academy”.  Justin and Lloyd Chamberlain tore down the old school for the bricks.  They used these bricks to build their houses.  Justin Chamberlain built this home in 1929.  It was sold to Pearl Olsen Works.  She later married W. Rell Little and they lived there.  The present owners are Daniel and Lisha Little. 

John Robertson and Leah Ford Findlay Home

300 South 100 East Street

This brick two story, seven room central passage style home with gable roof and three dormers was built in 1894.  The brick was made and laid by Edwin M. and John M. Ford.  The carpenters were George Mace and Brigham Riggs.  John was a leader in the community, cattleman and rancher.  He and Brigham Riggs bought the Johnson Brothers store and named the business “The Elephant Store” which later became the Highway Hotel. The present is owner Beatrice Vaughn Carr.

Francis Marion Hamblin Jr. Home

88 North 100 East Street

This one-and-a-half story, frame crosswing in Second Empire style with mansard roof was built by Heber Cram for Francis M. Hamblin Jr., and his wife Rose Ann Jane Brown. 

Frank’s parents were among the first settlers of Kanab.  Frank Jr. assisted his parents to run the dairy business for the United Order in Swallow Park.  When the Order was abandoned, Frank Jr. became a prominent cattleman in Kanab. The present owners are Matthew and Connie Zwiefel.

Shumway - Morris Home

160 North Main Street

Jedediah Shumway , the owner  in 1909, was the builder of this one-and-a-half story, frame crosswing home.  He was a well read rancher and cattleman, active in civic and church affairs.   In 1942, the house was sold to Julia E. Morris.  Her husband, Elgin Morris, came to Southern Utah to teach school in Fredonia, Arizona.  He became the manager for the Southern Utah Power Company, and later for California Pacific Electrical Company.  The present owners are Jessica and Michael Hand.

William James Fraizer, Jr. and Mignonette Adams McAllister House

106 North Main Street

William James Fraizer MeAllister Jr known as “Billy Mac” was considered to be one of the most successful cattlemen in the area and ran up to 1000 head at one time.  In 1919 a contractor/builder named Covil from Panguitch, Utah, built this one story brick, craftsman bungalow with a gable roof.  Billy Mac and his wife, Mignonette, daughter of pioneer, Nathan Adams, lived in a small shack on the property while the home was being built.  The present owner is Asta Battista.

Joseph Rosco and Rose Hicks Hamblin Home

204 North 100 East

Joseph Roscoe Hamblin, grandson of Jacob Hamblin, lived in this house with his wife Rose Hicks.  The house is a one-story brick, craftsman bungalow with hip roof and leaded glass windows.  This house was built in 1918 by an unknown builder.  Joseph was one of the largest livestock owners in the Southern Utah area.  He served as Director of the Utah Angora Goat Association of Kanab.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah and taught algebra at the local academy.  Rose was county historian and wrote a “History of Kanab”, she was also the main force in promoting the Kanab Public Library.

In 1947, L. H. (Dude) Larson and his wife, Dorothy purchased the property.  Dude, a state representative for Kane County, had the stonework put on the porch and the brick plastered over.  Dude Larson was an artist and had an art studio.  The present owners are Doug and Mary Dewitz.

Donald Cram - "Peaches" Beard Home

144 West 300 North Street

George Cram built this one story plaster Spanish Colonial Revival home for his nephew, Donald Cram in 1932-1933.  Donald was killed in 1946 and his widow, Marva Whipple Cram sold the home to Merle (Peaches) Beard and his wife Donna Young.  Peaches, who learned to cook in his sister’s café in Texas, worked at the Ideal Café before purchasing the City Café.  Merle and Donna owned the Trail’s End Café (now Houstons’) for 36 years.  Present owners are the Beard family. 

James W. And Harriet Johnson Swapp Home

250 North 100 West Street

James W. Swapp ordered this two-story frame Victorian eclectic crosswing house from Sears & Roebuck in 1912.  It included three bedrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen and pantry, as well as paint, flooring, shingles and a china closet for $644.00.  The precut, numbered house sections were shipped from Chicago, Illinois to Marysvale, Utah by rail, then brought to Kanab by team and wagon via Johnson Canyon.  It was the assembled on the lot in Kanab. Von and Nileen Swapp Whitlock remodeled this house for a bed and breakfast. The present owners are Wendy and Craig Rogers.

James L. Bunting Home

169 North 300 West Street

James L. Bunting built this Second Empire style home with mansard roof in two sections, starting about 1888.  The first section was a small frame cottage, then an additional one-and-one-half story brick portion was added around the turn of the century.  The house still has the original woodwork, which was painted to resemble oak.  In December1870 James and his wife Harriet, accompanied 25 other families to settle Kanab.  They first lived in the fort but were among the first to build a home outside the fort.  Present owners are Eric and Debbie Judd. 

James M. and Iris Heaton Young Home

321 North 200 West Street

James Marson Young and his brother Clifton dug the basement for this stone bungalow in 1936.  James and his wife, Iris, cut and dressed the native sandstone, transporting it from Tom’s Canyon by team and wagon.  The present owner is Darlos Young Hitchcock

Israel Hoyt and Ella Woolley Chamberlain Home

197 West 100 North Street

Israel Hoyt, son of Thomas Chamberlain, had this one-story, brick, craftsman bungalow with hip roof home built in 1919.  It originally had carbide lighting.  In 1925 when electricity came to Kanab it was converted to electric lights.  Israel was a cattleman and rancher.  In 1906, he with others, using pick, shovel and team, built the waterline from Cottonwood Canyon to Fredonia.  He also helped build many roads in this area and the trail from the North Rim to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. 

The dormers on this house was started by Edward Wiken in 1980 and finished by Howard Curtis.  Howard using his plaster skills, made the addition look like brick. 

The present owners are Howard and Elizabeth Curtis

Edward Leo And Cora Esplin Chamberlain

66 North 200 West Street

Edward Leo Chamberlain and wife, Cora, lived in this one-story, brick, craftsman bungalow with a hip roof, from its construction in 1916 to 1958.  Leo was manager or the Bowman store and the Pickett Lumber Company.  He was also a mortician and licensed funeral director.  Present owners are Ronnow L. and Mary Lou Bunting

Frederick A. Lundquist Home

30 N. 200 West Street

Originally facing south, this elegant Second Empire house with mansard roof was built in 1890.  Frederick Lundquist was the owner until 1939.  Fred Lundquist came to Kanab in 1888 and engaged in merchandising.  He helped with many maternity cases in the early days and cared for many accident victims. This house was moved from it’s original location to the current location in the 1970’s.  It has had several owners, and is presently owned by Dr. Stephen J. Burst.