BLUFF, Utah — The struggle by early pioneers to forge their way down a sheer canyon cliff, now known as Hole-in-the Rock, and then blaze a trail over rocky terrain to finally settle Bluff, Utah, was so strenuous that descendants today still feel the strain.

Photo by Lamont Crabtree

This log meetinghouse is a replica of the original meetinghouse built in Bluff, Utah. It was built, along with other improvements, by townspeople as a tribute to the early settlers.

In commemoration of their heritage, about 500 descendants and townspeople joined Bishop H. David Burton of the Presiding Bishopric on April 9 near the original Bluff Fort to dedicate a restoration project four years in the making.

Bishop Burton, in his comments, recalled 51 years earlier when he gazed up the steep, narrow trail of Hole-in-the-Rock and then climbed to the top. He expressed his admiration for those who responded to the call of a prophet to settle in this beautiful, but rough terrain of southeastern Utah.

"I hope you remember how important it is for generations to honor those who have gone before," he said in comments prior to pronouncing a dedication. "It is a mark of a mature generation," he said, "to have a basic reverence for those gone before.

"Every single one of us stands on the shoulders of those who have marched before us. We are who we are because of what they have done," he said. Bishop Burton then commended those with foresight who organized the preservation and restoration effort.

Bishop Burton was presented a stone carving by LaMar Helquist, a descendant of Jens Nielson who was a member of the Willie Handcart Company and later bishop in Bluff for 26 years. Bishop Burton's great-grandfather was among those who rescued the Willie company.

"It was 125 years ago since our forefathers came to Bluff," said Corinne Roring, a descendant of the original settlers. "We are finally paying tribute to those valiant pioneers."

The fort was the first major structure built by about 250 men, women and children who arrived in April 1880 after being called to settle the area in southeastern Utah by President John Taylor.

Photo by Blue Mountain Panorama

Bishop H. David Burton, center, along with his wife, Barbara, await dedicatory services. Walls of original fort appear in background.

Early cabins built for families were attached to the fort. In time, the cabins were either moved as families took up land farther from the fort, or deteriorated. A restoration of the remaining pioneer structures began about four years ago with improvements made to the original Barton cabin. Soon, a replica of the log meetinghouse was built and parts of the fort were repaired.

A granite monument with the names of the original settlers was also erected.

"This rebuilding of Bluff Fort was meant to be," continued Sister Roring. "I've been asked many times, with raised eyebrows, why were we restoring an old fort in Bluff.

"Because the Hole-in-the-Rock trek was the most incredible journey ever made," she said. "They were a dedicated, tough group."

Photo by David Mcphie

Two young women enjoy sitting in the wagon.

Courtesy of the San Juan Historic Commission

Historic photo taken around 1895 by Charles Goodman depicts early settlers Kumen Jones, Platte D. Lyman, Jens Nielson, James B. Decker and Frances Hammond around the meetinghouse just prior to demolition.

Photo by Kay Shumway

Paying tribute to their rich past, Bishop H. David Burton joined residents of Bluff, Utah, in remembering the pioneers who settled in this rough terrain 125 years ago. During the ceremonies held April 9, LaMar Helquist presented Bishop Burton with a stone carving. Bishop Burton dedicated recent improvements to the historic site.

The Burton cabin, original cabin of early settlers.

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