Bluff in San Juan County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Site of Kumen Jones Home

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2016

1. Site of Kumen Jones Home Marker

Inscription.
• Member of San Juan Mission Exploring Party

• Driver of one of first wagons through Hole-in-the-Rock

• First Superintendent of San Juan Schools

• Church Leader and Missionary to Indians

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 37° 17.04′ N, 109° 33.195′ W. Marker is in Bluff, Utah, in San Juan County. It is at the intersection of Black Locust Avenue and 5th East, on the left when traveling west on Black Locust Avenue. Marker is located at the southeast corner of the Kumen Jones Home site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 East Black Locust Avenue, Bluff UT 84512, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Navajo Nation

and in Canyon Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s

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Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kumen Jones Family (here, next to this marker); Skilled Masons, Stonecutters, & Carpenters (a few steps from this marker); Kumen Jones Home (a few steps from this marker); Fort Montezuma (a few steps from this marker); Replica of the Bluff Meetinghouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Sod Roofs on the Cabins of Bluff (within shouting distance of this marker); Josephine Catherine Chatterley Wood (within shouting distance of this marker); Replica of the Log Meetinghouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bluff.

Regarding Site of Kumen Jones Home. "How I Lost My Left Leg":

"Took sore between the ankle and calf of my leg along in the year 1936, Feb. 1st. The old timers called it a bite of a Black Spider. It was extremely painful and developed fast. April had Dr. Kent and assistant take the leg off. They told me that I had one chance out of a hundred against my pulling thru the operation. April was taken to the local hospital (Mesa) for ten days, where it soon developed

Marker detail: Kumen and Mary Nielson Jones image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Kumen and Mary Nielson Jones

Parents of Leonard Kumen Jones

that the operation was not successful; was brought out to Dr. Johnson, Cortez, Colorado. Dr. Johnson with an assistant operated again and was successful, and it was done without pain, and I have not suffered severe pain during, or since the operation, and it looks now that when I check out from this mortal existence it will be from some other cause than my absent leg…"

Kumen Jones, April, 1936)

Also see . . .
1. The Life of Kumen Jones. Kumen Jones website homepage:
This is a collection of information about the man, Kumen Jones and his two wives, Mary Nielson and Lydia May Lyman. Born in 1856, Kumen lived most of his days in the small town of Bluff City, Utah, which he helped settle. He was a missionary, pioneer, explorer, cattleman, husband, father and saint. Find herein photos of him and his family, selected letters he penned, articles written about him, and his personal writings. (Submitted on May 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Bluff Fort Historic Site. The Hole-in-the-Rock Foundation website entry (Submitted on May 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Kumen, Pony Express Rider (1872) image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Kumen, Pony Express Rider (1872)

Marker detail: Kumen and Family, mid-1890’s image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Kumen and Family, mid-1890’s

Marker detail: Lydia May Lyman Jones and child image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: Lydia May Lyman Jones and child

To Kumen and Lydia were born: Franklin Treharne • Leland Henry • Kumen Stanley • Mary Lydia "Mamie" (Adams) • Thomas DeAlton • Marion • Marvin Willard • Alma Uriah • Edward Clyde • Francis William

Site of Kumen Jones Home Marker - Old Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2016

6. Site of Kumen Jones Home Marker - Old Location

(Kumen Jones Home restoration in background)

Kumen Jones Home Restoration image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2016

7. Kumen Jones Home Restoration

(view from near marker)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2016

8. Kumen Jones Home Restoration

(view from near marker)

Site of Kumen Jones Home Marker - New Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 28, 2025

9. Site of Kumen Jones Home Marker - New Location

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 627 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 9. submitted on April 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.