Lonely Dell Settlement Building
by Teresa Wilson
Title
Lonely Dell Settlement Building
Artist
Teresa Wilson
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Lonely Dell Settlement Building by TL Wilson Photography
Lonely Dell was the settlement established by John D. Lee at Lees Ferry in 1870. The building in this image is one of the remaining structures still standing at the historic settlement.
Lees Ferry was tiny settlement next to the Colorado River not especially interesting itself, but surrounded by some remarkable scenery. The village is named after John D. Lee, a Mormon settler with 17 wives who established a ferry there in 1871 whilst in exile following his role in the massacre of 120 emigrants near St. George, Utah, at a place called Mountain Meadows (for which he was later executed). The ferry provided the only crossing of the river for nearly 60 years until a bridge was built a few miles downstream, where the present day route 89 crosses now.
Due to its unique geography – the only place in hundreds of miles from which one can easily access the Colorado River from both sides – it historically served as an important river crossing and starting in the mid-19th century was the site of a ferry operated by John Doyle Lee, for whom it is named. Boat service at Lees Ferry continued for over 60 years before being superseded by a bridge in the early 20th century, which allowed for much more efficient automobile travel.
Officially, Lees Ferry marks the beginning of the Grand Canyon, as the land slopes gently down to the west side of the river but after a short distance downstream there are cliffs at both sides which become steadily higher as the Colorado flows south. The initial section is known as Marble Canyon, so named because of the very colorful rocks.
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Uploaded
November 9th, 2016
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