Convict Camp and Wagon Road
In 1915 prisoners from the Utah State Prison camped here among these very rocks. They were detailed to build a wagon road up the fault, directly east from here. Remnants of the road can still bee seen with its lava rocks retaining walls. The work was performed by about 50 men and 30 teams with scrapers, according to the Washington County News. The Men worked January through March.
State level support for this project came about because the road would become a key part of a highway to link Yellowstone National Park in the north and Grand Canyon National Park to the south. The road also provided a crucial access road to Little Creek mountain where much needed firewood could be obtained. The road was especially vital for the wool wagons from the Gourds Shearing Corral to shorten their trip to the railroad at Lund. This road was quite steep; coming down grade was freighting. Men dragged a log or rock behind the wagon to slow it down.
This marker is on one of the tent sites. These prisoners worked on several other projects throughout Southern Utah. Like one pioneer said, "We need more of these good men!"
Marker is on East 200 North 0.1 miles east of North State Street, in the median.
Courtesy hmdb.org
