The Great Stone Face and the Gunnison Massacre site.
One is a rock formation that strongly resembles Joseph Smith, the first president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The other is where Indians killed Capt. John W. Gunnison and his survey crew in 1853.What do the two sites have in common?
Millard County's economic development director, Glen Swalberg, believes both could be tourist attractions. The Great Stone Face and Gunnison Massacre sites are some 15 miles southwest of Delta. Principal access is by way of U-257 between Delta and Milford, Beaver County.
Swalberg wants the County Commission to spend $3,500 of the county's $7,884 surplus to rebuild and upgrade a 21/2-mile road that was washed out from flooding in 1983. The road lies between the unique formation and the historical massacre site.
He also suggested that a similar amount be given to the Statehouse Museum in Fillmore.
But an answer by county commissioners has been slow in coming. Commissioner Tony Deardon said the commission hasn't yet made up its mind where to spend the money and is considering other projects.
"We are thinking about erecting a `Welcome to Millard County' sign near I-15 north of Scipio," he said.
The Great Stone Face is a 40-foot volcanic pedestal with a striking profile that resembles the prophet Joseph Smith. Ironically, when viewed from the opposite direction is is referred to as "Devil's Chimney."
Swalberg said a visit to the unique formation is well worth the time, "especially if you are a Mormon or if you like Mount Rushmore."
Early Mormon settlers in southern Utah undoubtedly were surprised when they rounded the corner of a lava flow and saw the image of their slain prophet naturally carved into stone. They said he appeared to be watching over them "like a sentinel sent from God." Indian petroglyphs can also be found in the area.
The Gunnison Massacre was prompted when Chief Walker and his band of Pahvant Indians were on the warpath, for which the Walker War was named. A group of Missourians, who camped at Meadow Creek about five miles south of Fillmore, were warned of the tensions between the Indians and the settlers. But they ignored the advice and killed an old Indian who was just trying to swap buckskins for tobacco.
The surveyors were totally innocent of wrongdoing toward the Indians but the latter wanted revenge from the whites. Captain John W. Gunnison had been friendly and took his crew to the same area where between 20 and 30 angry braves were camped near the Sevier River. At daybreak, the Indians surrounded the white men as the slept and launched an attack. Four white men escaped, and none of the Indians were injured.
Swalberg said a specialist with the state's tourism program looked at the two sites and suggested tying them together with a new road.
Swalberg has applied for a state grant and said volunteers might be used to keep costs down. He doesn't foresee the need for an expensive road.
Commissioners are not opposed to the idea but have indicated they don't want to start a project and not be able to finish it because of the costs. Commissioner Lana Moon noted that the road may need bridges.