Near Weston in Franklin County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Pass of the Standing Rock
The Pass of the Standing Rock was held sacred by the ancient ones of the Shoshone and other Native American Tribes long before John C. Fremont's exploratory party came to Weston Canyon on August 29, 1843. Fremont's surveyors spent the entire day exploring, measuring, and illustrating this location that Fremont later named, The Pass of the Standing Rock. Illustrations of Standing Rock were published in Fremont's The Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, depicting the Great Basin of the West.
The giant sentinel rock fell from the cliffs above, landing perpendicular near the middle of the valley. The elevation at the base of Standing Rock is 5,381 feet. The rock stands nearly 100 feet tall, is 75 feet wide, and weights several thousand tons. Nearby, naked blue limestone crags spire skyward into pinnacles that dominate ridges the entire length of Weston County.
Weston pioneer settlers arrived from Richmond, Utah, on April 15, 186?, temporarily housing their families in wagon boxes, tents and dugouts. Others dwelt in two large canyon caves. They cut logs for cabins and cedar posts for fencing. Settlers harnessed the canyon streams and springs to construct the original Pioneer Dam, located just below Castle Rock. The buffalo, elk, deer and antelope were almost extinct because of trappers who had exploited the furs of the valley. Fish and small game provided sustenance until crops could be raised. The pioneers delighted in naming the rock formations throughout the pass: Castle Rock, Vision Rock, Johnny Jump Off, Peek a Boo, Three Bars of Soap, Balancing Rock, Spirit Rock, Eagle Rock, East Gate and West Gate.
Weston is the second oldest permanent white settlement in Idaho. Bishop Peter Maughan directed construction of the first meetinghouse in 1869. Brigham Young, church president, traveled from Malad, Idaho, to Weston by coach on June 8 and 9; he delighted in the archeology of the canyon. Young's church sermon encouraged the agricultural efforts of Weston, especially the farming of wheat.
The harsh winter snows and spring runoff often closed the pass. In 1960, the road was paved, allowing year-round access to one of the archaeological jewels of Idaho. This pass has been a place of rest, reflection, reverence, and renewal. It represents outstanding rock, flora, and forest. It is a treasured landmark in the history of the early pioneers.
Erected 2009 by Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Lone Rock Camp. (Marker Number 553.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Natural Features • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 29, 1843.
Location. 42° 6.403′ N, 112° 5.363′ W. Marker is near Weston, Idaho, in Franklin County. Marker is on Weston Canyon Road (State Highway 36) near West 300 South, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Weston ID 83286, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Pass of the Standing Rock (here, next to this marker); Dayton, Idaho (approx. 4.9 miles away); Weston Pioneers (approx. 7.4 miles away); Weston Grist Mill (approx. 7.9 miles away); Pioneer Ferry and Bridge (approx. 9 miles away); Utah & Northern Railway (approx. 9.4 miles away); Bear River Massacre Monument (approx. 9.4 miles away); The Battle of Bear River (approx. 9.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Weston.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 845 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 30, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.