the floor of zion canyon was settled in 1863 by isaac behunin, who farmed corn, tobacco, and fruit trees. the behunin family lived in zion canyon near the site of today's zion lodge during the summer, and wintered in springdale. behunin is credited with naming zion, a reference to the place of peace mentioned in the bible. two more families settled zion canyon in the next couple of years, bringing with them cattle and other domesticated animals. the canyon floor was farmed until zion became a monument in 1909.