WINSLOW, ARIZ.
Early in 1876, several groups of Latter-day Saints heeding the call of President Brigham Young left Utah, determined to make their homes and build God's kingdom in the area south of the Colorado River.
Facing hardships in an arid land and far from Church leadership, these pioneers made their way to the Little Colorado River, establishing settlements at Brigham City, Sunset, Obed and Allen's Camp.
Despite tremendous obstacles, the Little Colorado River Saints survived, and in January of 1878 the first stake was created in what would become the state of Arizona. They also established a river crossing at Sunset that was used by those settling other parts of the state and traveling on the "honeymoon trail" to the St. George Utah Temple.
Allen's Camp eventually became Joseph City, the only community to survive of the original four settlements. From those humble beginnings the Church has grown to more than 90 stakes in Arizona.
As Arizona celebrates its 100th anniversary of statehood this year, the communities along the Little Colorado River are planning a celebration that commemorates those early pioneers.
"I think it's impressive that out of these four early settlements in this rough and rugged land, you see how the Church has blossomed," said President Gene Hancock of the Winslow Arizona Stake.
The celebration begins March 19 with the young men of the Holbrook and Winslow stakes participating in a 150-mile horse ride from Lee's Ferry along the original pioneer trail.
According to President Hancock, riders will be coming from at least 75 stakes in Arizona to join them March 24 for the last 25 miles to Brigham City Fort, located about a mile northeast of Winslow.
The riders, joined by local Primary children dressed as pioneers, will arrive at the site of the old fort, where there will be a short program and free barbeque for anyone attending.
Also included in the celebration are informational museums set up in the Winslow Stake Center and Joseph City meetinghouse March 23-24. Featured are historical artifacts, documents of the early settlers and maps to the local cemeteries and old settlement sites.
An original musical dramatization of the early settlers, "On Common Ground," is free and open to the public March 22-23 at the Winslow High School.
Kaye Ricks, who wrote the play, said she drew from historical records and personal journals to tell the story and realized that these early pioneers as well as people of today all face trials and hardships.
"While their experiences differ from ours in detail, they are similar in scope," she says. "They gritted their teeth and kept going; and that's what we have to do."
