C. Gregory Crampton
Historian – Author – Educator
1912-1995

In 1956, Dr. C. Gregory Crampton, Professor of History at the University of Utah, was awarded a Federal contract to research and document the history of the canyons that would be covered by the waters of Lake Powell. With a novel combination of field research, documentary investigation, and interviews conducted during the years from 1957 to 1963, Crampton produced a number of monographs that have proved immensely valuable to historians.

Of all Crampton’s career-decades as a university professor and author-he took most pride in his Glen Canyon research. Throughout the remainder of his life, he was renowned as the preeminent Glen Canyon expert.

He later wrote the award-winning book, Standing Up Country, an overview of the history of canyonlands in Utah and Arizona, and Land of Living Rock, a history of the Grand Canyon region. He followed these with the popular Ghosts of Glen Canyon, a recounting of historical episodes in Glen Canyon before Lake Powell. Dr. Crampton also wrote books about the Old Spanish Trail, the Pueblo of Zuni, and the Arizona Strip.

To his friends, “Greg” was known as a generous, witty, and affable companion. He enlivened many evenings with his good humor and stories from the past.

Gregory Crampton died in May 1995 and his ashes were scattered at Lee’s Ferry.

Marker located at Lee’s Ferry, Arizona and placed 1998 by friends of C. Gregory Crampton.

Martin Harris Gravesite

The Martin Harris grave is significant as the only property in Utah associated with one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon and one of the most important individuals in Mormon history.

The Martin Harris Gravesite is located at the Clarkston City Cemetery at 8400 West 11000 North in Clarkston, Utah and was added to the National Register of Historic places (#80003890) on November 28, 1980.

Born May 18, 1783 in Easttown, Saratoga County, New York, Martin Harris became acquainted with Joseph Smith in 1827 the year Joseph Smith reportedly received the Golden Plates. Considered a prosperous New York frontier farmer, Martin Harris gave Joseph Smith $50 to help him move from New York to Pennsylvania. Harris also served as Joseph Smith’s first scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon. Unfortunately the 116 pages which were translated with Harris acting as scribe were lost when Joseph Smith permitted Harris to take the pages in an effort to convince a doubting wife of the validity of his work with Joseph Smith. The pages were lost and Joseph Smith was instructed not to retranslate the pages out of fear that the original pages had fallen into the hands of his enemies who would change the pages and use them to show Joseph Smith a false prophet.

Despite a severe reprimand Martin Harris was permitted to see and handle the Golden Plates and was selected as one of the three witnessess, to give testimony of the truthfulness of the Golden Plates and Joseph Smith’s translation of them as the Book of Mormon. In the written testimony signed by Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer, they declared:

“We…have seen the plates…and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for His voice hath declared it unto us,…And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon;…

In support of this testimony and his commitment to the Book of Mormon, Martin Harris furnished $3,000 toward the expenses of printing the first edition. The money was raised by mortgaging his farm, a portion of which was later sold to meet the mortgage payment.

After the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, Martin Harris moved with Joseph Smith to Kirtland, Ohio. However, when Joseph Smith and his followers moved on to Missouri and later Illinois, Martin Harris remained in Kirtland, and ceased activity with the church.

In 1856 Martin Harris 1 wife Carolyn Young left him and with their four children came to Utah. Although Martin Harris never recanted his testimony about the Book of Mormon, he apparently did not follow the Saints west from Kirtland because of resentment for not being given more important positions within the church and because of the economic turmoil which marred the Kirtland experience.

In 1870, at the age of 77, Martin Harris left Kirtland and came to Utah with funds provided from a subscription by Utah Mormons including a $25 donation from Brigham Young.

Martin Harris was rebaptized and lived with his oldest son, Martin Harris Jr., until his death in Glarkston on July 10, 1875 at the age of 92. His last words were in testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

The original grave marker in the Clarkston cemetery, as described by his son was, a “headboard with name, date and place of his birth and death with the words, One of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Also their testimony.”

Some time before 1924 a second grave marker had been placed with a marble headstone with the inscription “Martin Harris one of the Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Born May 18, 1783. Died July 10, 1875. Subscribed for by his numerous friends.”

In 1924 Merlin R. Hovey, Secretary of the Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce, visited the Clarkston cemetery and noted: “The cemetery was surrounded by a broken-down wire fence with tumble weeds, cockleburs, and other weeds all over the cemetery. The graves not filled were being grazed by livestock.”

Hovey, aware of the importance of Martin Harris in Mormon history, launched an effort to secure the removal of the Martin Harris remains to Logan. There was little support for the proposal, it did, however, spur the citizens of Clarkston to action. The cemetery was cleaned, fences repaired and livestock kept out. In cooperation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the present 18 foot granite shaft was placed at the grave on July 10, 1925 – fifty years after the death of Martin Harris.

The importance of Martin Harris to Utah Mormons is that he is the only one of the original eleven witnesses to the Book of Mormon who came to Utah (three witnesses including Martin Harris saw the Golden Plates from which the Book of Mormon was reportedly translated in the presence of an angel. The other eight witnesses were shown the plates by Joseph Smith only.) The other witnesses either died before the exodus to Utah or for one reason or another chose not to follow Brigham Young west. Martin Harris was the last link to the early organization of the LDS Church. Participating in the translating of the Book of Mormon, giving financial support for its publication, falling away from the church, yet never denying his testimony of the Book of Mormon, and finally returning to the Church, Martin Harris has become a folk and religions hero for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Next: to the grave of Brigham Young, no other grave in Utah has received greater public attention. The grave has been the site for numerous church outings, including one in 1934 in which more than 13,000 participated.

585 South Main Street in Beaver, Utah (585 South Riverside Lane)

1928 Fire Station
1215 Elm Street in Independence, Missouri

Located at 1034 West Lexington Avenue Independence, Missouri – Heritage Plaza includes:

• F.M. Smith Study
• Flournoy House
• Luff Home

F.M. Smith Study

Built by the Stallcup family in the early 1830s, this structure was initially located about five miles east of its present location. Frederick Madison Smith acquired the property in 1937. Born in 1872 in Plano,
Illinois, he was the grandson of Frederick Madison Smith in front of his study Courtesy Community of Christ Archives church founder Joseph Smith. In 1902 Smith became a counselor in the First Presidency of the church and he succeeded his father as president in 1915.

Smith’s faith and ministry were dominated by his desire to build “Zion,” a model community that would be the “social expression of Christ.” He struggled to balance his decisive leadership with the democratic consent of the church members, and his clear vision for the church often conflicted with other church leaders’ opinions. Despite the setbacks resulting from two world wars and the Great Depression, he continued to call church members “onward to Zion” until his death in 1946. The legacy of Frederick M. Smith for the Community of Christ and the Independence area can be seen in the construction of the Auditorium, expansion of Graceland University, and creation of Independence Regional Health Center.

Flournoy House

Built by slave labor in 1826, the Jones H. Flournoy House is one of the oldest houses in Independence. It was originally located four blocks east of its current location. In 1831 church leaders led by church founder Joseph Smith, visited Independence. They met Flournoy, who was eager to sell his farmland. Smith determined that this area would serve as headquarters and a gathering place for members. A site on Flournoy’s property was dedicated for construction of a temple. Tradition holds that it was in this house that Bishop Partridge and Flournoy reached an agreement for the sale of the 63.33 acres of land that became known as the “Temple Lot Property.” Cultural differences between church members and their neighbors resulted in growing tension. In 1833 the church members were driven out of Jackson County.
This building was then used as a school during part of the 1830s, making it one of the oldest surviving school buildings in the state. In 1862 the home ended up in the middle of a Civil War battle. Confederate troops mounted an attack on August 11 and Union soldiers took refuge behind the house and in the basement. A few bullet holes can still be detected in the soft clay bricks. The home was moved to its present location in 1989.

803 West Waldo Avenue in Independence, Missouri

Former Site of Red Crown Tavern and Tourist Cabins

In 1931 Emmett Breen built Red Crown Tavern and Tourist Cabins west of here.

On July 19, 1933, Platte County Sheriff Holt Coffey led a coalition of lawmen from the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri Highway Patrol and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in an attempt to capture fugitives Bonnie and Clyde.

Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow, Buck Barrow, Blanche Barrow and W. D. Jones had rented the two cabins. Thirteen lawmen surrounded Buck Barrow them but the gang shot their way out and escaped. was mortally wounded and Blanche’s eyes were injured. Sheriff Coffey and two locals were also wounded.

In Tribute to the Lawmen.

Located at 12118 North Ambassador Drive in Kansas City, Missouri