settlements had expanded south to the lower virgin river by 1858. that year, a southern paiute guide led young mormon missionary and interpreter nephi johnson into the upper virgin river area and zion canyon. johnson wrote a favorable report about the agricultural potential of the upper virgin river basin, and returned later that year to found the town of virgin. in 1861 or 1862, joseph black made the arduous journey to zion canyon and was very impressed by its beauty.