Mammoths in Moab
What stories does a 10,000-year old mammoth tusk found in Professor Valley have to tell? From natural history to human history, this fossil- which is on display at the Moab Museum- invites questions…
Moab History
The hundredth anniversary of a historic river trip
The allure of swift whitewater, soaring canyon cliffs, and unparalleled solitude have long beckoned adventure seekers to boat the mighty Colorado and Green Rivers near Moab. Today, river runners have the benefit of…
‘A worthless and impractical region’
Today beloved for its scenery and incredible landforms, the rugged canyon country around Moab once inspired disappointment and disdain in some early geologists and government surveyors. While on an early U.S. government expedition…
The La Sals: A resource and respite for a long history of human inhabitants
Looming large in Moab’s background, the La Sal Mountains have been a major factor in the human history of the Moab Valley and surrounding region for millennia. Geologically they are young: a mere…
The many transformations of Thompson Springs
Approximately 30 miles north of Moab, Thompson Springs (also known as Thompson) is a tiny town with outsize stories to tell—and a history closely linked to Moab’s own. Like many small towns across…
In the Shadow of Delicate Arch: The story of Wolfe Ranch, the historic homestead within Arches National Park
People come from all over the world to see Arches National Park every year, many of them taking the hike to visit the iconic Delicate Arch. Along this well-trodden trail, visitors pass near…
Back to School Throwbacks: Moab Students through Time
Though much has changed since the Moab Valley was settled in the late 1800s, schools have long been central to the community’s vitality and culture. In 1881, construction began on the first school…
A night on the town…100 years ago: What did Moab do for fun a century ago?
If you lived in Moab 100 years ago, what might you do for fun on a Saturday night? Throughout the past century and a half, the social events available to Moabites have shifted…
Utah underwater: Fossils are evidence from ancient, wetter times in the region
When most people think of Utah and fossils, they immediately think of dinosaurs. Indeed, Utah and the area around Moab in particular are home to some of the most abundant and diverse dinosaur…
Before the Bridge: Crossing the Colorado in Moab
Throughout time, travel patterns across the Colorado Plateau have been determined by the landscape’s dramatic geography– carved by rivers to create canyons among high plateaus and swells. The Colorado River (known as the…