The Haunted Hills of Pinto

There is an area west of Harmony Mountain rich in human history. In the late 1800s, hundreds of hearty pioneers tried to make a living near Pinto Creek. Some found the good water supply and waist-high grassy meadows perfect for ranching. Others recognized a demand for supplies and lodging along the isolated stretches of the Old Spanish Trail, Mormon Trail, and early freight lines that ran through this region. Well-known names such as Jacob Hamblin, John D. Lee, and Dudley Leavitt are all associated with this country. The abandonment of these settlements has been blamed on everything from overgrazing, the construction of the Arrowhead Highway (predecessor to I-15), to a curse on the land as a result of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

I've spent the last few weeks exploring Pinto and the surrounding hills, trying to envision the streets filled with freight wagons hurrying to their next stop, townsfolk gathering for Sunday service, and dusty barefoot kids in overalls playing in the ditch. But let me tell you, it's not easy to imagine life in a place that is now so dead.

Pages Ranch. A rare double cross-wing-style house occupied until 1934. This was an important stop along an early freighting line and, for a while, served as an informal hotel to miners who worked at the nearby iron mines.
Yep, that's a creepy glowing orb coming down the stairs. And yes, I heard strange noises. This place is definitely haunted.

Settled in 1856, Pinto was nearly completely abandoned by 1916. A few people have moved back to Pinto in recent years and with a little care have restored a few beautiful homes. As solidly built as they are, they should last a few more hundred years.

You don't see attention to detail on homes like this these days.

Despite the recent influx of retirees, there are still far more people dead than alive at ol' Pinto.

Above is all that remains of a small settlement called Hamblin, settled in 1856 by Jacob Hamblin. Two notable things about this short-lived village: this is where several of the surviving children of the Meadows Massacre were taken immediately following the incident; and this is the final resting place of Jacob Truman, reportedly the youngest member of the Mormon Battalion.

Kelsey's Deer Camp - this place is located on the road between New Harmony and Pages Ranch.

Lion's Mouth Cave
Of course long before the Spaniards and Americans settled the area, Native Americans lived here and have their own story to tell.

View out of the lion's mouth looking toward Harmony Mountain.