This Is the Place Heritage Park

This Is the Place Heritage Park is a 450-acre site at the foot of the Wasatch Range with 60 historic buildings such as farmhouses, barns, blacksmith shops, chapels, and stables that represent early Utah settlements. The grounds are organized into different zones, including a Native American Village, allowing visitors to walk through and experience how pioneer communities lived and worked.

The park commemorates the 1847 arrival of Mormon pioneers in Salt Lake Valley, where Brigham Young declared this their settlement destination. This moment marked the beginning of permanent occupation and shaped the region's development for generations to come.

The Native American Village displays indigenous cultures of Utah through traditional activities, Navajo hogans, and Shoshone tepees where craftspeople regularly demonstrate traditional skills. Visitors can observe how these communities continue to maintain and share their cultural practices with others today.

Visitors can enjoy train rides, pony riding, gold panning, and conversations with craftspeople demonstrating traditional skills. The grounds are spread across a large area, so sturdy footwear and plenty of time are recommended to explore the different zones and buildings.

The Pioneer Children's Memorial displays seventeen stones engraved with over 600 names of children who died during the journey to Salt Lake Valley. This quiet memorial reminds visitors of the harsh realities and difficult journeys that families faced, a side of history often overlooked in broader pioneer narratives.

Location: Salt Lake City

Website: http://thisistheplace.org

GPS coordinates: 40.75300,-111.81600

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:26