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Site: Shunesburg
Alternate Names: Shonesburg, Shuensburg and Shirensburg
County/State: Washington County, Utah
Years of Occupation: 1861-1902
Status of Site: Closed
Classification: Class 3 - Abandoned Town
Type: Agricultural
Remnants: One principal building, cemetery
Located on the East Fork of the Virgin River near the mouth of Parunuweap Canyon. Near present day Springdale and Rockville. Near Zions National Park. The location of the town is on private property which until recently was owned by a family in New York who would not allow visitors to site. Property is currently up for sale and local caretaker is more willing to allow visitors with appointment. http://www.mirrranchgroup.com/ranches/trees-ranch
Settlement was by call from then LDS church President Brigham Young as part of the Cotton Mission. Families from Sanpete County, including Oliver DeMille, were called to establish this settlement in an effort to grow cotton. Land was purchased by Oliver DeMille from the Paiute Chief Shones, which gave it the name of Shunesburg. Early crops in addition to cotton were sugar cane and corn.
Settlement had great deal of difficulties due to unpredictable nature of the Virgin River as well as persistent Indian raids. Residents of Shunesburg were forced to relocate to nearby Rockville on a number of occasions only to return when agreements were made with the Indians. Finally in 1896 most residents left for good and finally the last resident, Oliver DeMille relocated to Rockville in 1902.
Picture of Oliver DeMille's home in Shunesburg, last remaining structure. Most recent reports of home is that they have poles propped up to walls in an attempt to stop it from falling over.
Links:
http://www.onlineutah.com/shunesburghistory.shtml
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=109369
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~utwashin/towns/shunesbu.html
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~utwashin/towns/shunesbu.html
Alternate Names: Shonesburg, Shuensburg and Shirensburg
County/State: Washington County, Utah
Years of Occupation: 1861-1902
Status of Site: Closed
Classification: Class 3 - Abandoned Town
Type: Agricultural
Remnants: One principal building, cemetery
Located on the East Fork of the Virgin River near the mouth of Parunuweap Canyon. Near present day Springdale and Rockville. Near Zions National Park. The location of the town is on private property which until recently was owned by a family in New York who would not allow visitors to site. Property is currently up for sale and local caretaker is more willing to allow visitors with appointment. http://www.mirrranchgroup.com/ranches/trees-ranch
Settlement was by call from then LDS church President Brigham Young as part of the Cotton Mission. Families from Sanpete County, including Oliver DeMille, were called to establish this settlement in an effort to grow cotton. Land was purchased by Oliver DeMille from the Paiute Chief Shones, which gave it the name of Shunesburg. Early crops in addition to cotton were sugar cane and corn.
Settlement had great deal of difficulties due to unpredictable nature of the Virgin River as well as persistent Indian raids. Residents of Shunesburg were forced to relocate to nearby Rockville on a number of occasions only to return when agreements were made with the Indians. Finally in 1896 most residents left for good and finally the last resident, Oliver DeMille relocated to Rockville in 1902.
Picture of Oliver DeMille's home in Shunesburg, last remaining structure. Most recent reports of home is that they have poles propped up to walls in an attempt to stop it from falling over.
Links:
http://www.onlineutah.com/shunesburghistory.shtml
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=109369
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~utwashin/towns/shunesbu.html
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~utwashin/towns/shunesbu.html
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