1824-25: Jim Bridger "discovers" the Great Salt Lake.

1843-45: John C. Fremont explores Great Salt Lake; names island for its numerous antelope.

1848: First Mormon exploration of the island.

1848-49: Fielding Garr moves to island to manage LDS Church's cattle herd; builds ranch house.

1856: LDS Church transports 3,000 head of horses and other stock to Antelope Island.

1870: Last recorded 19th-century sighting of antelope on the island.

1884: John Dooly Sr. and Frederick Myers, purchase most of the island for $1 million.

1893: First bison brought to island.

1922: Scenes for the movie "Covered Wagon" are filmed on the island, making use of the bison herd.

1951: South causeway constructed.

1967: State of Utah purchases north 2,000 acres of island for state park.

1969: North causeway and road completed.

1972: Anschutz Corp. buys south end of island for cattle-ranching operation.

1981: Remaining 26,000 acres purchased by state.

1983: Rising Great Salt Lake inundates causeway, closing Antelope Island State Park.

1983-93: Island closed to the public.

1991-92: Causeway rebuilt by Davis County with $3 million state grant.

1993: Park refurbished and reopened; antelope reintroduced.

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1996: Antelope Island Visitor Center opened.

1999: Paved road to Fielding Garr Ranch completed.

2000: Fielding Garr Ranch reopened to the public.

SOURCE: Utah State Division of Parks & Recreation

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