From 1872 to 1929, this was the principal route of travel across the Colorado River to Utah settlements. The first crossing was made at the mouth of Paria Creek in 1864 by Jacob Hamblin. A regular ferry was established by John Doyle Lee in 1872. It was purchased by the Latter-Day Saints Church after his death in 1877 and was maintained continuously by private and public operators until 1929, when Navajo Bridge was completed.