Moab Sun News

News, events and culture from Moab, Utah

Downtown over time: Storefronts from Moab’s past

The first national bank was a small, one story building.
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Today, Moab’s Main Street is lined with signs of our time: lots of eateries and shops selling T-shirts provide strong evidence of Moab’s tourism industry and culture. At different times in the past, businesses downtown have been very different and reflected their own era. 

From the early days of Euro-American settlement in the Moab Valley to the uranium boom, thousands of businesses have come and gone, reflecting the changing needs and lifestyles of Moabites through time. Photographs from the Moab Museum’s collection offer a view back in time to different chapters of the community’s story.

The Mookie Trading Post was on Main Street, near where Moab Garage Co. is today.
The Mokie Trading Post was one of Moab’s many early jewelry and tourist shops that grew up in the wake of the uranium boom.
Three women stand in front of a narrow, two story building: Maxwell's Millinery.
Maxwell’s Millinery, pictured here in 1900, was operated by “Aunt Addie” Maxwell. At a time when Moab was very isolated from the outside world, Maxwell’s Millinery supplied Moab’s settlers with women’s hats and other supplies. She also operated the Maxwell House hotel with her husband Philander Maxwell.

The Moab Museum is dedicated to sharing stories of the natural and human history of the Moab area. This is part of a series highlighting photographs and stories of downtown Moab over time. To explore more of Moab’s stories and artifacts, find out about upcoming programs, and become a Member, visit www.moabmuseum.org.

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