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

Henry & Sarah Ann Robinson Holyoak Wagon Encampment Display

Photographed by James Hulse, March 28, 2025

1. Henry & Sarah Ann Robinson Holyoak Wagon Encampment Display Marker

Inscription. A challenging period for the settlers in Bluff was when they lived in and around their wagons until they were able to build a cabin. These living accommodations varied in duration and according to the needs and resources of each family.

The wagon was the only common resource to make a temporary semblance of a home. Some removed their wagon box from its wheels and placed it on the ground to store their few possessions and provide shelter.

Little is known about the details of the Holyoak wagon encampment. What is known is that Henry and Sarah Holyoak lived in their wagon for over four years at various locations along the San Juan River. Their wagon home included a stove. In October 1884 after enduring several floods and losing three water wheels they had built, they moved to Poverty Flats (now known as Moab, Utah) where they were instrumental in building up the community.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1884.

Location. 37° 17.007′ N, 109° 33.175′ W. Marker is in Bluff, Utah, in San Juan County. It is at the intersection of Black Locust Avenue and 5th E Street on Black Locust Avenue. The marker is located at the Bluff Fort Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 Black Locust Ave, 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 Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Parley R. & Ency Camilla (Bayles) Butt (a few steps from this marker); F.I. Jones & Mackelprang Families (a few steps from this marker); Bayles Family (a few steps from this marker); The Butt Families (a few steps from this marker); Bodil and Jens Jr. (a few steps from this marker); The Decker Families (a few steps from this marker); George Brigham Hobbs & Sisters (within shouting distance of this marker); The Barton Cabin/West Wall of the Bluff Fort (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bluff.

Also see . . . Bluff Fort Visitor Center. Hole in the Rock Foundation website entry (Submitted on April 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Henry & Sarah Ann Robinson Holyoak Wagon Encampment Display and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 28, 2025

2. Henry & Sarah Ann Robinson Holyoak Wagon Encampment Display and Marker

Chuck wagon kitchen image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 28, 2025

3. Chuck wagon kitchen

The back of the wagon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 28, 2025

4. The back of the wagon

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 22, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.