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Just south of Circleville Utah is the childhood home of Butch Cassidy. Located along US HWY 89 is the recently (2018) recreated Cassidy homestead. This is a great short trip in southern Utah. It is a self guided free tour with easy access and great parking for larger vehicles and trailers. Also has picnic tables and clean restrooms.
History
Who is Butch Cassidy?
Butch Cassidy was born as Robert Leroy Parker April 13, 1866 in Beaver, Utah. One of the most famous outlaws in the West, Butch Cassidy has been apart of many bank and train robberies that in total exceeds a sum of $300,000. To put that amount into perspective, after inflation, 1900’s $300,000 approaches $10 million U.S dollars in the year 2020.
Robert Leroy Parker took on the name Cassidy after his first train robbery. He used the name in honor of his mentor, Mike Cassidy, who was a cow hand, horse thief and small-time cow rustler. It’s also believed Parker used the name Cassidy as to not taint his family’s name. “Butch” or “Butcher” became a nickname from his time as a Butcher’s assistant.
While he was the well known leader of the Wild Bunch, it is believed that Butch Cassidy never killed anyone; he was not known for excessive gun violence though some robberies did end up with some casualties on the law enforcement side because of some members of the Wild Bunch.
Butch Cassidy was the oldest of 13 children. He was described as a fun older brother. At a young age he began helping his family by working for other ranchers in near by areas.
What we Know about his Homestead
Butch Cassidy’s father, Maximillian “Max” Parker, decided to move his family to Circle Valley in 1879 after he passed the area for his mail work. Max carried the mail between Beaver and Panguitch along the Sevier River. At this home the family planted summer wheat and raised some cattle. Max worked many jobs, and as was probably normal for life back then, those old enough to work helped the family by working side jobs. Butch Cassidy as the oldest son, helped the family finances by working at other ranches in the area as a teenager. At the age of 18 he left home telling his mother (according to biography.com) :
“Ma, there’s not much here for me. No future. Pay in Utah is low – you know that. Maybe twenty or thirty dollars a month with board – and the board’s not much to brag about in most places. There’s no excitement around here. I’m not a kid anymore. Gotta be thinking about my future.”
Nearby Sites
Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its red hoodoos (tall spiral shaped rock) and is a hikers paradise. Check out our post on it for more information!
Camping
Birch Creek Campground
Located at 6755 ft. this public–in other words free first-come-first serve– campground has 4 walk-in campsites that are 50 yards from the parking lot. RV camping is permitted in the parking lot. The campground is conveniently placed between two reservoirs, each stocked annually with game fish, making it an ideal fishing destination.
41° 18′ 10.8000″ N 111° 11′ 4.5600″ W
More Campground Options
The 30 best campgrounds near Circleville, Utah are described in more detail on the hipcamp website.
Directions
Salt Lake City to Cassidy’s Childhood Home
Salt Lake City is 215 miles North (about 3 h 14 min) of Cassidy’s Childhood Home
- Get on I-15 S/I-80 E from 500 S/Cesar E. Chavez Blvd
- Follow I-15 S to US-50 W in Millard County. Take exit 188 from I-15 S
- Get on I-70 W in Sevier county
- Follow I-70 W to US-89 S in Sevier. Take exit 23 from I-70 W
- Follow US-89 S to your destination in Garfield County
- After about 36.6 miles, your destination will be on the right
Bryce Canyon National Park to Cassidy’s Childhood Home
About 47 miles South (52 min) of Cassidy’s Childhood Home
- Head north on UT-63 N toward FR 090/Great Western Trail (for 2.6 miles)
- Turn left onto UT-12 W
- After 13.6 miles Turn right onto US-89 N
- Continue for 6 miles before turning onto US-89 N/N Main St
- Follow US-89 N for 24 miles
- Turn Left. Your destination will be on the right
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