PICTURE 1 - John Lee Home? Lee's Ferry was a part of the mormon church's desire to link new communities in Arizona with Utah and the nearest temple in St. George in the 1870's. Called 'Lonely Dell' by Emma Lee, it was both a small farm as well as ferry. Here is the oldest (1870s) of several houses still standing.


PICTURE 2 - Dugout with background Grand Staircase NM Dugouts provided an easy 'first home' for emmigrants, and later a cool place for food storage. This one is near the above house, but the dating is unknown. In the background is the Grand Staircase and Escalante National Monument (trailhead nearby).


PICTURE 3 - Looking East Lees Ferry has been farmed almost continuously until the park service took over (equipment here early 20th century). Behind the orchard is the Paria river, which flows into the Colorado river further back. In the background angling up to the right is the wagon dugway down to the river and ferry (no easy feat!).


PICTURE 4 - Irrigation When mormon settlers selected a location for a new community, most required was the ability to irrigate farms. Here, the Paria provided most of the water, being diverted upstream. These ditches were being maintained during our visit.


PICTURE 5 - Lees Ferry Cemetary This is a bit up-canyon from the farm, with most of the departed from the Johnson family. Sam took over from the Lees, when John had to leave for fear of arrest for the Mountain Meadows massacre.


PICTURE 6 - 1940's With novels from Zane Grey and later films around Monument Valley, this area grew in tourist appeal. Here an old truck died. Behind just to the right is an old 40s-era cabin with its own 'picture window'! Whoever stayed there must have REALLY valued being alone.


PICTURE 7 - Navajo Bridge Eventually Coconino County took over responsibility for the ferry. With the new century and automobile travel, this bridge was built over the Colorado river. It had no bridge competition for hundreds of miles in both directions. Today, it stands next to a newer bridge, both using arches for support. Not complaining or anything, but I DID ASK the people to be still while I took the 3-D picture.


PICTURE 8 - Motels! With the new Navajo Bridge, highway 89 became the new gateway to the north rim of the Grand Canyon and Utah beyond. Along this area new motels sprang up, and UNDER these rocks a man literally built small 'rooms' for guests! True. You can visit a couple (not shown but to the right).