Jedediah Strong Smith - St. George

Jedediah Smith came through this country looking for California. In 1826 the trapper crossed the black ridge north of here, picked up Ash Creek to the Virgin River, and forced the Virgin River Narrows — the steep, twisting gorge the interstate now threads. He returned the same hard way in 1827 and swore off it, climbing Santa Clara Creek instead and cutting southwest toward the Beaver Dam Wash. He was the first American to reach California overland, and the route he scouted through Paiute country would soon carry the emigrants who followed.

What the plaque says

In 1826 Jedediah Smith, searching for a route to California, entered what is now Washington County by crossing the black ridge north of here then following Ash Creek to the Virgin River. He followed the Virgin River through the Virgin River Narrows (present route of 1-15) overcoming many dangers associated with the steep, narrow, winding, rugged canyon. In 1827 he returned to California following the same route to the confluence of Santa Clara Creek and the Virgin River. Anxious to avoid a repetition of his experience in the Virgin River Narrows, he proceeded up Santa Clara Creek and turned southwest over the low mountain (present day Old Highway US 91) to a ravine which led him to the Beaver Dam Wash and its confluence with the Virgin River.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm — 3.9 mi
  Real dinosaur footprints preserved in ancient sandstone
• Snow Canyon State Park — 9.2 mi
  Red and white sandstone cliffs with ancient lava flows
• Hurricane Canal Trail — 18 mi
  The hand-dug canal that built Hurricane, now a walking trail blasted into the Virgin River gorge

More markers nearby

• Tonaquint — steps away
• Brigham Young's Vision — steps away
• Utah is Rich in Aviation History — 1.0 mi
• The Temple Quarry — 1.9 mi