About Kanab
Where Kanab Creek, flowing out of the mountains, passes through the Vermilion Cliffs and into the desert below, Jacob Hamblin built a fort in 1864. It stood atop a steep bank overlooking Kanab Creek, flowing through a deep gully lined by cottonwood trees. Rising a thousand feet high on both sides of the creek were the red-rocks of the vermillion cliffs. To the south a barren exapanse of sagebrush stretched to the horizon, at the edge of which lay the depths of the Grand Canyon.
Using the fort as a base and protection from Indians, the area was explored over several years. In 1870 Levi Stewart and a party of Mormon pioneers occupied the fort hoping to establish peace with the Indians and establish a permanent settlement.
Today the spectacular and rugged country surrounding Kanab brings many visitors here, contributing to the success of this small community. As of the year 2000, Kanab's population is at 3,564. U. S. Highway 89 splits at Kanab, the main route going eastward to Lake Powell, and an alternate route going southward to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
