In the shadow of Utah’s majestic Wasatch Mountains lies a living tribute to the pioneer spirit—This Is the Place Heritage Park. More than just a historical site, this sprawling destination is both a gateway to Utah’s past and, some say, a portal into something far more mysterious. Brimming with meticulously restored pioneer buildings, costumed interpreters, and evocative landscape, the park draws history buffs and families in droves. But paranormal investigators have a different motivation: the whispers of ghosts, the creaks of doors with no breeze, and the chilling tales passed from tour guides to tourists.
Whether you’re a lover of LDS pioneer history, a fan of immersive heritage experiences, or a ghost hunter on the trail of spirits that refuse to rest, This Is the Place Heritage Park offers something unforgettable. Let’s journey into its past—and its haunted present.
The History
Brigham Young and the Famous Declaration
The park’s name comes directly from the iconic phrase uttered by Brigham Young, leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), in 1847. After months of grueling travel across the American Frontier, Brigham Young and the first company of Mormon pioneers reached the Salt Lake Valley. Overcome with conviction that this was their prophesied destination, he reportedly declared, “This is the place.” It was here they would build a new community—a refuge from religious persecution.
A Pioneer Stronghold
This sacred spot soon became the foundational site of what would evolve into Salt Lake City. To preserve the pioneer legacy, Utah leaders established a monument in 1917. But it wasn’t until 1947, during the centennial of the pioneers’ arrival, that the larger preservation efforts began to take root. The name “This Is the Place” was commemorated with a towering memorial—a tribute that stands tall at the park’s entrance today.
Today, This Is the Place Heritage Park spans over 450 acres with more than 50 historic structures carefully relocated or reconstructed to portray 19th-century frontier life. You can witness blacksmiths forging iron tools, cannons being fired, pioneer children playing games, and even try your hand at old-fashioned trades. Costumed interpreters breathe life into cabins, shops, and homesteads, some once occupied by the very pioneers they now portray.
Buildings with Rich—and Sometimes Dark—Pasts
The buildings found at the park are not mere replicas; many are original structures transported from across Utah. These homes and businesses carry with them not only their architectural bones but also the untold stories, emotional weight, and, some say, lingering spirits from their past inhabitants. Among them are:
- The Brigham Young Forest Farmhouse, built under Young’s direction as a model for land cultivation.
- The William Atkin Home, once part of a now-vanished southern Utah polygamist settlement.
- The Manti Z.C.M.I. building, a relic of the Mormon cooperative mercantilism experiment.
These historic structures provide context for the faith, perseverance, and community spirit of those who carved a home out of the desert wilderness. But within their walls, many visitors and employees have experienced encounters that defy logical explanation.
The Haunt
Whispering Walls and Phantom Footsteps
For years, guests and employees at This Is the Place Heritage Park have reported eerie occurrences. Footsteps echo in empty hallways. Lights turn on and off without explanation. The sounds of children playing—when no children are near—drift in and out on the wind. Paranormal researchers suggest that with so many original buildings and relocated homes on the grounds, the very fabric of the park could be interwoven with lingering spiritual energy.
The Brigham Young Farmhouse
Perhaps the most famously haunted structure in the park, the Brigham Young Forest Farmhouse has made believers out of even the most skeptical visitors. Guides have noted strange cold spots even during the blazing Utah summer. Others report seeing the faint outline of a man—tall, cloaked, and watchful—staring out the upper window. Paranormal teams who’ve conducted EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) sessions have recorded unexplained voices answering questions—some even whispering scripture.
The William Atkin Home
Small and unassuming on the outside, this pioneer house is the site of some of the most unnerving activity. Visitors experience sudden nausea or headaches upon entering certain rooms—often where early childbirths or family deaths occurred. Staff members refuse to be alone inside after dark. On multiple occasions, candles have been found lit in rooms without working electricity, even after the cabin was locked and secured.
Spirit Children and Shadow Figures
Numerous reports from visitors claim sightings of children in period dress laughing, skipping, or playing games—only to vanish moments later. In one incident, a family saw a child beckoning them into one of the abandoned schoolhouses. When they entered, it was dark, dusty, and empty. Paranormal investigators have taken thermal images revealing strange heat signatures, and shadow figures caught on night-vision cameras.
Ghost Tours and Investigations
During October, This Is the Place Heritage Park opens its gates even wider to ghost enthusiasts with nighttime candlelit ghost tours. These guided walks lean on chilling tales collected from years of firsthand accounts. Professional paranormal teams have also been invited, logging hours of chilling footage and EVP recordings—some of which aired on local TV segments and YouTube channels dedicated to the haunted history of Utah.
If you’re interested in a deeper exploration, some ghost-hunting groups offer private investigations of selected buildings on the property. As always, these must be arranged with park officials, and respectful conduct is expected.
Conclusion: A Ghost Hunter’s Goldmine
With its historical authenticity and dense spiritual atmosphere, This Is the Place Heritage Park presents a truly unique adventure for both historians and paranormal seekers. Where else can you trace the resilience of the early Mormon pioneers and then participate in a ghost hunt under a canopy of starlit mountains?
Whether you’re drawn by the romance of the frontier or the possibility of making contact with a spirit from the past, this park promises inspiration—and maybe even a chill or two. Grab your EMF detector, pack your camera, and get ready to step back in time, into the living (and possibly not-so-living) heart of Utah history. If the walls could talk here, you’d want to listen.
References
- This Is the Place Heritage Park – Official Website
- Utah History: This Is the Place State Park
- Salt Lake Tribune – Ghost Stories Surrounding Utah’s Historical Landmarks
- KUTV News – The Haunting History of This Is the Place Heritage Park
- Deseret News – Utah’s Most Haunted Locations
- Ghost Adventures: Haunted History in Utah (IMDb Listing)
- ABC4 – Haunted Utah: This Is the Place Heritage Park
- Book: Mormon Ghost Stories by Sarah Yates
- Utah Stories – Haunted Historic Buildings of Utah