Existing comment:
Settlers:
Mormon farms and herds of grazing animals hit hard at the hunting, gathering and gardening lifeway of the native peoples. However, the Mormon farmers also employed the Paiutes, and the new foods they brought were attractive substitutes for the native diet. Soon the Valley of Fire's resources became less important to the Paiutes.
The road the linked the new settlements became the usual route of travel. The Valley of Fire remained off the beaten path. The new settlers ventured into the area to hunt bighorn sheep there, but for the most part, it remained isolated and unknown. A few of the most curious dared to go there to see the "Indian writings," but only the Paiutes knew how to travel safely through the tortuous canyons. Only they knew about the water tanks. |