Bonelli Landing - Rioville
One persistent pioneer family remained behind when the Mormon homesteaders of St. Thomas, Nevada, voted to abandon the town in 1870.
Daniel Bonelli left St. Thomas after it was abandoned and built his home at Junction City, at the mouth of the Virgin River, and named it Rioville. Bonelli raised cattle and agricultural crops, and mined salt for sale to the miners from Temple Bar to El Dorado. Bonelli recognized another need, so Rioville also became known as Bonelli's Ferry. The ferry operated until 1920. Rioville had a store, post office, and a Pony Express station. Daniel Bonelli is credited with naming "The Mormon Temple" at Temple Bar.
Bonelli's Ferry - NPS photo
