History of the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association

The organization known as the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association was formed on September 11, 1930, at the Hotel Utah, with the election of George Albert Smith as President and John G. Giles as secretary. They chose the Buffalo Skull as their official emblem which can be seen on majority of their markers and monuments.

The Association wanted to ensure history would not recede from our collective memory so future generations would not forget our history. Read chapter "Mapping and Marking the Mormon Trail", by Sara M. Patterson.

The first marker was placed in Provo. The Escalante Trail marker was placed September 24, 1931 at a ceremony which included John D. Giles, executive secretary, Rev. Victor Herring, member of the Franciscan Order of Catholic Priests to which Fathers Escalante and Dominguez belonged, Most Rev. John J. Mitty, Bishop (at that time) of the Catholic Diocese of Utah, Elder George Albert Smith, President of the trails association and Rev. N. C. Wallin of Provo.

The biggest project achieved by the organization was the massive "This is the Place" monument, dedicated during Utah's pioneer centennial celebration in 1947, located just inside the Salt Lake Valley at the base of Emigration Canyon. It was number 100 in their list of markers.

The final marker, No. 133, was placed in Pleasant Grove in 1958. With the death of President George Albert Smith in 1951, the association only placed a few markers they had planned. The Sons of Utah Pioneers agreed to take control and maintain the markers through their local chapters. They have a list of their markers which include UPTLA markers.

See also: THE M.I. A. PRESERVES HISTORY and The M. I. A. Writes Its Name in Enduring Bronze and Stone