Golden Pass Road

Parley P. Pratt's road was a business before it was a landmark. He cut the route through this canyon partly to reach fuel and timber for himself and other emigrants, then charged tolls to recover what the road-building cost him; the tollhouse stood near the creek about a half mile west of Suicide Rock. The venture never made him rich, but the name outlasted the tolls twice over — the Golden Pass of the 1850 newspapers, and the canyon itself, one of the few Western landmarks that still carries a man's first name: Parleys.

What the plaque says

Parley P. Pratt’s Toll Road. The Deseret News, dated June 29, 1850, described Parley Pratt's new route through Parleys Canyon as The Golden Pass, the new route through the mountains. This alternate valley entrance was explored and built by Parley P. Pratt and was used as a means for securing fuel and timber for himself and other emigrants. To defray his expenses for road building, he initiated a toll for others to use his road in 1848. His established rates were as follows: 75 cents for a two-horse outfit, 10 cents for each additional pack or saddle animal, and 1 cent per head for sheep and loose stock. His toll house was located near the creek and approximately 1/2 mile west of Suicide Rock. Initially the Golden Pass Road was passible for horse and wagon, and between 1850-1869 thousands of Mormon Pioneer Emigrants, California-bound Gold Seekers, Pony Express riders, Overland Stage Coaches, plus thousands of soldiers traveled over this dirt road. (photo caption) Portion of road up Parleys Canyon, showing how unfinished it was, but adequate to get wagons and horses over. (photo camption) Early form of transportation up Parleys Canyon. Notice narrow pass behind wagon.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Gilgal Sculpture Garden — 2.6 mi
  A surreal and eccentric sculpture garden hidden in a residential neighborhood
• This Is The Place Heritage Park — 2.7 mi
  A living history village at the mouth of Emigration Canyon
• Liberty Park — 3.0 mi
  Salt Lake Citys beloved 80-acre urban park since 1882
• Natural History Museum of Utah — 3.3 mi
  A world-class museum built into the foothills above Salt Lake City

More markers nearby

• Brigham Young Industrial Center — steps away
• Golden Pass Road and Tollhouse — steps away
• Blue Star Memorial Highway - Sugarhouse Park — 0.9 mi
• Mary Jane Dilworth — 0.9 mi