Settlement of Long Valley and Mt. Carmel
The first written account of the exploration of
Long Valley was given by John D. Lee in 1852.
Coming from Parowan, the explorers were
under the direction of Bishop John R.
Smith. James Lewis kept the records. The
others were John D. Lee, John Steel, John Dart, Solomon
Chamberlain, Francis T. Whitney and Dr. Priddy Meeks.
The part entered the Sevier Valley, followed the Sevier River
south, over the divide and down the east fork of the Virgin River
through Long Valley. Stopped from going further by Zion Canyon
ont he west they retraced their tracks returning to Parowan.
In the summer of 1862, a group guided by Dr. Priddy
Meeks, John and William Berry came to Long Valley
looking for grazing and farm land. In the spring of
1864, this group with others again returned to the
valley. Priddy Meeks became the first white settler in
Lower Long Valley when he and his family built a dugout in
the hill behind this marker. The town was first called Windsor
then changed to Mt. Carmel by Joseph W. Young because the
cedar covered hills resembled the country of Mt. Carmel in
Palestine.
Sarah Deseret, dauther of Dr. Meeks and Mary Jane, was born
in 1864 in Berryville. She was the first child born in Long Valley
and present day Kane County. The settlers had to leave Long
Valley during Indian difficulties, but returned to stay in March of 1871.
1995 - No. 485 - Orderville Camp
