Location:
Utah County
Spanish Fork City Park
49 South Main Street
Spanish Fork UT 84660
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: 40.109618640032856
Longitude: -111.654544020555
Historical Significance:
This monument was dedicated on January 20, 1922, and placed by Spirit of Liberty Chapter in the northeast corner of Spanish Fork City Park to commemorate the Dominguez y Escalante Expedition of 1776 in which members searched for a route from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to the Spanish settlement in Monterey, California. Spanish Priest-explorer, Father Silvestre Valez de Escalante arrived in Utah Valley September 23, 1776, with his party. Rededicated August 1, 1975, as part of a bicentennial project with the City of Spanish Fork.
Historical Designations:
- Marker Date: 20 January 1922
- State of Marker Organization: Utah
- Marker Organization: Spirit of Liberty Chapter, NSDAR
- Marker Text: (NSDAR Insignia)
ESCALANTE,
A SPANISH PRIEST. THE FIRST WHITE MAN
TO LOOK UPON THIS VALLEY. CAMPED WITH
HIS COMRADES BESIDE THE SPANISH FORK.
SEPTEMBER 23, 1776.
_____
PLACED TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF THAT EVENT
BY THE
SPIRIT OF LIBERTY CHAPTER
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
AND
THE CITY OF SPANISH FORK.
1922
____
“THOUGH THE PATHFINDERS DIE, THE PATHS REMAIN OPEN.”
Funding:
The monument and surrounding grounds are maintained by Spanish Fork City.
Physical Condition:
- Preserve
Tourism:
- Open to Public: Yes
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Hours/Days 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; M-F; Public Park
Promotional Materials Available:
- Visit Website
Acknowledgement:
Ongoing care and condition assessment of this monument is monitored by the Wasatch Range Chapter, NSDAR, and the Utah State Society Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Chair. Awareness of the monument has increased since its inclusion in the 2020 publication Utah State Society Daughters of the American Revolution Monuments – Markers and Histories. Daughters who live and work in the area frequent the site.
