This Is The Place Heritage Park

The Place That Defined …
and Created … A State

This Is The Place Heritage Park tells the story of Utah’s first pioneer settlers. Their arrival led to the establishment of Salt Lake City and … 49 years later … subsequent statehood.

It began right here at the mouth of Emigration Canyon on the extreme eastern edge of the city. The park is conveniently located directly across from the Hogle Zoo on Sunnyside Avenue.

On July 24, 1847, a wagon train of exhausted Mormon pioneers emerged from the Wasatch Mountains after months on the trail. Brigham Young, ill and riding in a carriage, looked out over the broad, arid valley and reportedly said the now-famous words: “This is the right place. Drive on.”

That phrase became legendary among the Mormons. It marked the end of a 1,300-mile journey across a hostile frontier. It marked the beginning of permanent settlement in what would eventually become the state of Utah.

Over time, this particular site was memorialized and then expanded into what is now one of the most immersive and kid-friendly living history parks in the West.

More Than A Monument

We just visited This Is The Place Heritage Park. It had been many years since we had been there. I vaguely remember having visited years ago.

So, when we arrived recently at the Pioneer Theater building, which is where you pay to get in, we were met with a surprise. This is something you want to be aware of.

We have an Annual Senior Day Use Pass which supposedly gets us into all the Utah State Parks. The woman at the front desk informed us that this pass … sold as a pass that gets you into all Utah State Parks … didn’t apply at this particular park.

Her initial explanation was rather nonsensical. She initially said we had to pay full price to get in because our pass was no good at this park. Then, after I questioned her, she said The Heritage Village part was run by a non-profit organization. Non-profit, high fee. Seems about right.

After more questioning (I was a little annoyed not about the fee but about the lack of transparency), we learned that you could walk around the Monument area and the Gift Shop for no charge. We finally figured out that The Village and the Monument area are actually two separate entities but billed as a “state park.”

So, be aware that to see the Heritage Village part of the park, you’ll have to pay the following fees - daily admission for adults is $22.95 (12-64). I guess 12 year-olds are now considered adults in Utah but only for certain things. It is $19.95 for seniors (65+) and $16.95 for children (3-11). Children under 2 are admitted free.

The towering This Is The Place Monument anchors the park. It was erected in 1947 on the centennial of the pioneers’ arrival. Designed by Mahonri M. Young … sculptor and grandson of Brigham Young … it rises up 60 feet high.

It features figures of Brigham Young, the early Saints, Native Americans, explorers, mountain men and even the ill-fated Donner Party. The monument is a powerful and dramatic piece of public art that is surprisingly impressive with its size and detail.

While This Is The Place Monument honors the moment, the park around it does a great job of bringing the story to life.

The Heritage Village at
This Is The Place Heritage Park

Once you step into the Heritage Village, you’ll soon realize you’re not just looking at old buildings. You’re seeing what living in them was really like. The village spans multiple streets filled with more than 60 authentic or reconstructed 19th-century structures.

You’ll find:

• Hand-built log cabins
• One-room schoolhouses
• Blacksmith and tinsmith shops
• A general store, ZCMI outpost, and saddle shop
• A farmhouse with a working kitchen

Costumed interpreters bring it all to life but not by spouting dry facts. They actually do the work. They churn butter, forge metal tools, sew quilts, grind cornmeal and run a printing press.

This isn’t a museum with sterile glass cases. This is hands-on history. Kids can try pioneer chores, learn to dip candles, take a pony ride, or board the mini train that loops the property. It is a truly immersive experience especially for kids.

Native American Village

Long before wagons ever reached the Salt Lake Valley, the region was home to vibrant Native American cultures including the Ute, Goshute, Shoshone, Paiute, and Navajo peoples.

The park’s Native American Village honors this history with interpretive dwellings and cultural demonstrations. Visitors can walk through earth lodges, watch dancing or drumming performances and see traditional crafts and storytelling.

You may have seen “Old West” attractions that overlook or stereotype indigenous cultures. Have you ever seen those western movies and TV shows depicting “Buffalo Bill” and his traveling road show?

If you want to see a heart-rending depiction of this, watch the movie “Hidalgo.” Sad in some aspects but inspiring in other.

Unlike so many “traditional” portrayals, this part of the park is treated with more care and respect. It provides important context about the peoples who lived here long before the settlers.

Monuments to Black Pioneer History

In recent years, the park has taken meaningful steps to expand the story of Utah’s settlement to include previously overlooked voices. In 2022, the Legacy of Black Pioneers Monument was unveiled. This is located in the non-fee area of the monument.

It featured statues and interpretive signs about Green Flake, Hark Wales, Oscar Smith, and Jane Manning James. These four African American pioneers were among the first to enter the Salt Lake Valley. This addition has helped … somewhat … broaden the local definition of “pioneer”.

Signature Buildings and Features

Several buildings in the park are particularly noteworthy:

• Brigham Young Forest Farmhouse: An original Gothic Revival-style farmhouse. It was moved to the park and restored to working condition complete with original furniture and outbuildings.
• Deseret Hospital: A replica of Utah’s earliest women-led health center providing context about medical practices in pioneer times.
• Emery County Cabin: One of the few surviving frontier post offices fully restored.
• Social Hall Replica: A recreation of the place where pioneers once gathered to dance, sing, and socialize. Utah’s original community center.

This Is The Place Heritage Park
Events and Programs

The park hosts a wide variety of seasonal events, including:

• Baby Animal Days (Spring): Meet new lambs, chicks, bunnies and piglets up close.
• Liberty Days (July 4th): A family-friendly alternative to crowded fireworks shows with colonial games and flag ceremonies.
• Pioneer Day (July 24th): The biggest event of the year celebrating the 1847 arrival with parades, craft booths, games and live music.
• Candlelight Christmas (December): The village lights up at night with candles, lanterns, and a warm, nostalgic holiday vibe.

If you’re bringing a group, school tour, or youth program, the park offers custom tours and workshops for students.

Visitor Info and Admission

Admission to Heritage Village:

• Adults (12–64): $22.95
• Seniors (65+): $19.95
• Children (3–11): $16.95
• 2 and under: Free
• Annual passes are available for frequent visitors
• Check the park website here for price changes as price always change. Almost always up.   

Hours:

• Heritage Village: Mon. - Sat. from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Pioneer Center & Gift Shop: Daily from 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM  
• Closed Sundays (except for special events)

Tips For Your Visit

• Wear comfortable shoes: There is a lot of walking on gravel roads and wooden boardwalks in the village.
• Check the calendar: Many activities, especially live demonstrations, are seasonal.
• Bring water and sunscreen: Even spring days can be sunny and dry in the Salt Lake Valley. Summers are just plain hot.
• Allow 2 - 3 hours: Especially if you're bringing kids who want to explore everything. And also to justify the cost of admission.

Final Thoughts

Despite so many modern attempts to bury or rewrite history, there are still places you can go to learn more about it. This is one of those places and I recommend it for both non-members and members of the LDS Church.

Sure it honors the Mormon pioneers who built the state. But it also includes the indigenous peoples who lived here long before wagons rolled into the valley. And some of the original characters of the old west. It also includes some of the original black pioneers.

It celebrates the strength of frontier families, the diversity of Utah’s early settlers and the shared stories that continue to shape the state today. If you like history, have kids or don’t, and are looking for a unique stop near downtown Salt Lake City, this might be a place to visit.

This Is The Place Heritage Park
2601 E Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Phone: (801) 582-1847
Website: https://www.thisistheplace.org/

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