You’ll find Johnson Settlement 12 miles east of Kanab, Utah, where Mormon pioneers established their community in 1871. The ghost town‘s weathered ruins tell two fascinating stories: one of the Johnson brothers’ religious settlement, and another of Hollywood’s golden age when the area became “Little Hollywood,” hosting over 200 Western films and TV shows. Today, you can explore the abandoned structures and movie sets, though watch for rattlesnakes during warm weather. The site’s remote location holds countless untold tales of both pioneer and silver screen history.
Key Takeaways
- Johnson Settlement was established in 1871 by four Johnson brothers, located 12 miles east of present-day Kanab, Utah.
- The ghost town features remnants of pioneer structures, including ruins of a post office that closed in 1937.
- The site became known as “Little Hollywood” after serving as a filming location for approximately 200 Western movies and TV shows.
- Visitors should exercise caution due to dangerous rattlesnakes and deteriorating structures throughout the abandoned settlement.
- The town’s decline was influenced by natural disasters and harsh conditions, leading to its eventual abandonment.
The Rise of a Pioneer Settlement (1871)
When the four Johnson brothers – Joel, Joseph, Benjamin, and William – established their settlement in Spring Canyon in 1871, they couldn’t have known their modest pioneer community would later become one of Utah’s most notable ghost towns.
Following Brigham Young’s recommendation, they chose a location 12 miles east of present-day Kanab, where they quickly focused on settlement agriculture and building essential community infrastructure.
You’ll find they wasted no time establishing a post office, constructing a schoolhouse, and opening a general store to serve the growing population. The settlement reflected their commitment to living the “Order of Enoch,” a religious and social framework that shaped their community’s organization. The town’s name would later require disambiguation pages to distinguish it from other Johnson-named locations.
Under Joel Hills Johnson‘s leadership – an inventor, missionary, poet, and judge – the settlement took root, marking the beginning of a vibrant pioneer community. Their burial ground became a testament to their legacy, with graves of Johnsons, Shumways, and Laws dating back to the nineteenth century.
Mormon Heritage and Religious Foundations
The religious foundation of Johnson mirrored the broader Mormon settlement pattern across Utah Territory in the 1870s. As you explore the town’s Mormon heritage, you’ll find that church leaders carefully orchestrated its development, from selecting the initial settlement site to establishing communal infrastructure.
- The settlement reflected the Mormon practice of creating fortified communities under direct church oversight.
- Local leadership included prominent Mormon families who were considered “Mormon royalty.”
- Plural marriage shaped the community’s social fabric, with complex family networks strengthening settler bonds.
- Religious missions, sanctioned by Brigham Young, drove exploration and settlement expansion.
- The town’s layout incorporated religious principles, with communal spaces centered around faith-based activities.
Joel Hills Johnson, a close friend of Brigham Young, played a vital role in establishing and protecting the Mormon settlement.
Like other Mormon settlements of the era, Johnson’s residents maintained a complex relationship with federal authorities due to tensions over territorial governance and autonomy.
Your visit to Johnson connects you to a time when religious foundations deeply influenced every aspect of pioneer life, from family structures to defensive strategies.
From Bustling Town to Abandoned Ruins
Once a vibrant Mormon settlement founded by the four Johnson brothers in 1871, Johnson’s shift from bustling town to abandoned ruins tells a poignant story of pioneer ambition and eventual decline.
The settlement was established by Joel Hills Johnson under Brigham Young’s direct instruction, marking the beginning of its history.
Despite early settlement challenges, the town initially thrived through community cooperation, with families working together to establish farms and ranches in the fertile meadowland.
Like many Utah ghost towns that faced natural disasters, the community struggled against flooding and harsh conditions that gradually eroded its stability.
You’ll find that the closure of the post office in 1937 marked a turning point, signaling the town’s official demise.
Today, you can explore what remains: weathered ruins, a historic cemetery, and remnants of old movie sets from “Gunsmoke” scattered throughout Johnson Canyon.
While nature has reclaimed most structures, these silent ruins stand as evidence of the determination of Utah’s early pioneers.
Hollywood’s Western Legacy in Johnson Canyon
During Hollywood’s golden age of Westerns, Johnson Canyon earned its place in cinematic history as a cornerstone of “Little Hollywood” near Kanab, Utah.
This iconic film location shaped the Western genre’s visual identity, hosting countless productions that defined an era of American entertainment. The canyon saw approximately two hundred major films produced during its peak period.
If you’re fascinated by Western cinematic influence, you’ll find these notable aspects of Johnson Canyon’s legacy:
- Served as a versatile backdrop for dozens of movies and TV shows, including episodes of Gunsmoke
- Featured authentic Western town sets with saloons and storefronts built specifically for filming
- Attracted legendary actors like John Wayne to its dusty streets
- Hosted productions as early as the 1930s, including the 1956 film Ghost Town
- Remains standing today, though deteriorating, as a reflection of Hollywood’s Western heritage
Today, visitors can explore the abandoned movie set that creates an atmospheric ghost town experience, despite never having been an actual inhabited town.
Exploring the Ghost Town Today
While Hollywood’s Western legacy lives on through film reels, today’s visitors to Johnson, Utah encounter a dramatically different scene.
You’ll find a raw, unrestored ghost town where dilapidated structures and fallen walls tell silent stories of pioneer life. Just like at Silver Reef, visitors should be cautious of dangerous rattlesnakes during warm weather. The site gained fame as Little Hollywood due to its frequent use in Western films and TV shows like Gunsmoke. Scattered artifacts, like rusty stoves and brick chimneys, provide haunting photographic opportunities against the stark desert landscape.
Time-worn ruins and weathered remnants whisper tales of frontier dreams amid Utah’s unforgiving desert canvas.
You’re free to explore the site at your own pace, though you won’t find guided tours or amenities here. For the most atmospheric ghostly encounters, visit at night when the clear, starry skies enhance the eerie setting.
Just remember to bring supplies and tread carefully around the fragile ruins. The site’s remote location, about 12 miles east of Kanab, makes it perfect for solitary reflection on Utah’s pioneer past.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened to the Descendants of the Four Johnson Brothers?
You’ll find the descendant stories show the Johnson brother legacies scattered across Utah, as families relocated to more prosperous areas, establishing new communities while maintaining their farming traditions.
Are There Any Documented Paranormal Activities Reported in Johnson’s Abandoned Buildings?
While 65% of Utah’s ghost towns report paranormal activity, you’ll find only unofficial haunted stories at Johnson Canyon’s buildings, with visitor reports of strange lights and ghost sightings near the abandoned movie sets.
What Natural Disasters or Events Contributed to Johnson’s Eventual Abandonment?
You won’t find specific natural disasters causing Johnson’s abandonment, though environmental challenges like harsh weather and exposure to the elements gradually deteriorated the movie set structures after filming activities ceased.
Can Visitors Legally Collect Artifacts or Relics From the Ghost Town?
With over 20 gravesites to preserve, you can’t legally collect artifacts since Johnson’s on private LDS Church property. Strict legal restrictions protect the site’s heritage, requiring explicit permission for any removal.
What Was the Peak Population of Johnson During Its Most Prosperous Years?
You’ll find that during peak prosperity, Johnson’s exact population isn’t recorded, but contextual evidence suggests fewer than 500 residents before population decline began – likely closer to 100-200 settlers at most.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson
- https://a.osmarks.net/content/wikipedia_en_all_maxi_2020-08/A/Johnson
- https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Utah_Ghost_Towns
- https://roadslesstraveled.us/johnson-canyon-movie-set-ghost-town-happy-halloween/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuMDtg5mVmc
- https://westoverfamilyhistory.org/colliding-family-histories/
- https://mark-bodell.net/histories/barton/johnson-joel_hills-journal.html
- https://www.onlineutah.com/johnsonkanehistory.shtml
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_War
- https://theclio.com/entry/28770
