|
 Little
is known of the native American inhabitants
of the park area prior to Mormon pioneer settlement.
Limited archeological studies indicate that
this area was used primarily for hunting with
most habitation in the river valleys below.
Trips to the plateau were limited to harvesting
its forest resources, including wild game. Later
settlers continued this seasonal use.
Bryce
Canyon National Park is named for pioneer Ebenezer
Bryce who came to the Paria Valley with his
family in 1875. He was sent by the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints because his
skill as a carpenter would be useful in settling
this area. Bryce built a road to the plateau
top to retrieve firewood and timber. He also
built an irrigation canal to raise crops and
animals. Local people called the canyon with
the strange rock formations near Ebenezer's
home "Bryce's Canyon". The Bryces
moved to Arizona in 1880, the name remained.
As
southern Utah developed, Reuben and Minnie Syrett--who
homesteaded just outside the present park boundaries--brought
their friends to see the intricately eroded
stone formations. By popular demand, they developed
sleeping and eating facilities on the canyon
rim. They called their establishment, "Tourist's
Rest." When the area was set aside as a
national monument in 1923, the Union Pacific
Railroad bought out the Syrett's interests and
began to construct Bryce Canyon Lodge intending
to make the Bryce Canyon area part of their
new "Loop Tour" of the southwest.
The Syrett's then built "Ruby's Inn"
on their own land just north of the park.
Interest
in the area continued to grow after the declaration
of the new national monument. The Union Pacific
continued to improved facilities in the area.
They improved transportation into Cedar City
and started a shuttle service from the train
depot there to Bryce Canyon National Monument.
In 1924, Bryce Canyon National Monument was
declared Utah National Park. The Bryce Canyon
Lodge was finished in the same year. In 1925,
the Union Pacific continued to expand the Bryce
Canyon Lodge, due to the overwhelming popularity
of the area.
Bryce
Canyon Lodge still serves park visitors. This
National Historic Landmark has been renovated
to provide modern safety and conveniences, while
maintaining the character of the 1930's.
In
1928 an act of congress increased the amount
of protected land to double what was already
protected by the new national park. This addition
of land was accompanied by another name change.
Bryce Canyon National Park was officially designated
on February 25, 1928.
|
