Marble Canyon in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

1872 Founding Family

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, December 7, 2025

1. 1872 Founding Family Marker

Inscription. John D. Lee and wife Emma established this ranch to support their lives as river ferry operators. While living here, they shuttled wagon trains and travelers across the Colorado River on makeshift ferry boats and skiffs.

The crossing became a key rustic outpost as settlers emigrated into Arizona. It also provided a veil over Lee, who arrived at the ranch a fugitive for his involvement in the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre. Lee's frequent absences left Emma and their children as the driving force behind all operations. The law caught up with Lee in 1874 and he was later executed. Warren Johnson arrived with his family in 1875 to assist Emma with the ferry. She continued on at Lonely Dell until 1879, sold the property, and left.

More families would follow, called by their church to maintain the ferry's crucial link on the emigration trail.

(photo captions) John D. Lee, first ferryman
Emma Batchelor Lee gained a good reputation for healing the sick and injured with her creativity, courage, and skills developed along the river's edge. She remarried and was known as Dr. French until her death in 1897.

Erected by National

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 36° 52.102′ N, 111° 35.753′ W. Marker is in Marble Canyon, Arizona, in Coconino County. It can be reached from Lonely Dell. Marker located along the trail to Loney Dell Ranch. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Lonely Dell, Marble Canyon AZ 86036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Flagstaff & High Country,

in the Navajo Nation,

and in Hopi.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1872 Irrigation (a few steps from this marker); 1925 Polygamist Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); 1965 The Orchard (within shouting distance of this

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, December 7, 2025

2. 1872 Founding Family Marker

marker); 1886 The Family Home (within shouting distance of this marker); 1886 Samantha's Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); 1878 Root Cellar (within shouting distance of this marker); 1936 Weaver House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lonely Dell Ranch (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marble Canyon.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.