Kanab takes its name from an anglicized form of the Piute word for willows, which grew abundantly along the creek banks. Kanab Fort was begun in 1864 under the direction of Jacob Hamblin for protection from Indians and as a base to explore the region, but severe and frequent Indian attacks made it impractical to maintain and it was abandoned in 1866. It was reoccupied in 1870 by Levi Stewart and others sent to do missionary work and establish peace with the Indians. In December of that same year, a fire in the fort killed Levi's wife and five sons. In the 1930s, the Parry brothers recognized the area's potential for the movie industry, and the town was soon nicknamed Little Hollywood because so many movies were made there. A fort built for the movie Buffalo Bill was meant to remain as a landmark and set for other films, but it was soaked with gasoline and burned to the ground for Fury at Furnace Creek, then rebuilt and burned again for The Apple Dumpling Gang.