Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area

Historic Spring City Video

Settling of Manti Video

In April 2003, Senator Bob Bennett introduced legislation to establish the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area along Utah’s portion of Highway 89. He felt that, “This legislation would preserve the rich heritage and tremendous achievements of the Mormon Pioneers and strengthen economic opportunities for local businesses.” It was also felt that tribute to the remarkable legacy of the Mormon pioneers in this area should be preserved.

The 250 mile long National Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area Act was passed by the senate in July of 2006 and the bill was signed by President Bush in October 2006. The Heritage Highway will be managed by the Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance, an organization currently in place. The Highway 89 Alliance is made up of citizens, county government, economic development, artisans, and heritage groups.

The Heritage area begins in the town of Fairview in Sanpete County and runs south through six other Utah Counties to the Utah – Arizona border. The area is full of examples of cultural and architectural history that was shaped by the Mormon pioneers.

The highway offers traces of famous outlaws, Native American cultures, mining barons, Spanish priests, rugged trappers, and the farming and ranch lifestyle of the Mormon Pioneers. You can view pre-historic Indian sites, remnants of the old west, forts, State Parks, the Manti Temple, and historical markers. Shops selling classic western saddles, boots and wear have been around for 100 years. View livestock auctions, enjoy Dutch oven dinners, and hear the tales of Butch Cassidy. See early Utah architecture in the homes and restored buildings along the highway.

Artisans of every kind are numerous along the Heritage Highway 89. These artisans offer Scandinavian woodworking and stained glass, as well as stone furniture. Shops and galleries display fine art and photography, Western memorabilia, and some of the highest quality Native American crafts and jewelry in the region. Saddle makers, an historic grist mill, antique shops, mystic hot springs, and museums; even a 100 year old salt mine that is still in use.

Pioneer Stories

Hwy 89 - The West's Great Road

Heritage Highway 89 Video Tour

Blackhawk War Video

U.S. Highway 89 winds through some of the most beautiful parts of the United States. The Highway begins in Montana and passes Glacier National Park. In Wyoming it passes Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone and Jackson Hole Valley, the Grand Canyon of the Snake River, and Star Valley.

In Utah, the highway passes beautiful Bear Lake which crosses the borders of Utah and Idaho. This route runs through Logan Canyon and then runs south to Salt Lake City. The highway follows the old pioneer highway that was called State Street, running straight through the Salt Lake Valley to the front steps of the Utah State Capitol. From there it winds south through towns that at one time were a days travel from Salt Lake City. Now, however, the Salt Lake Valley is one large city. The highway continues south through Central Utah and passes close to Bryce and Zion National Parks.

In Arizona, the highway passes over the Colorado River just south of the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. It passes through the Navajo Indian Reservation, the city of Flagstaff, Arizona, and then on to Nogales, Mexico.