A legend among Colorado River outfitters and one of the fathers of Moab’s recreation industry, Warren Gordon “Tex” McClatchy (1927-2006) left a tangible impact on the Moab community. McClatchy arrived in Moab during the uranium boom in the 1950s to teach in the schools, but he soon left the classroom for a life earning a living on the Colorado River.
“Back in the uranium days, it was just that: uranium. Then as time got on, tourists started feeding in and finding out what this area was all about,” Tex recalled in a 1999 interview with Jim Page, published in the Moab Museum’s publication Canyon Legacy. “Of course, the magic around here that made [tourism] grow was the variety!”
McClatchy himself was instrumental in making this variety of options accessible to visiting tourists. He ran the rivers with a variety of watercraft, introducing popular jet boat and canoe trips to the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers. Tex’s Riverways, formally founded in 1958, continues teaching adventurers how to enjoy and protect southeastern Utah’s pristine environment.
McClatchy’s lifetime and career spanned a time of remarkable change in the Moab community; he witnessed the uranium boom and bust and had a hand in shaping the tourism boom that eventually grew up after.
The Moab Museum is dedicated to sharing stories of the natural and human history of the Moab area. To explore more of Moab’s stories and artifacts, find out about upcoming programs, and become a Member, visit www.moabmuseum.org.
