A Life of the Times: William Grandstaff Moving Westward
The westward movement of late 1800s America encouraged the adventurous – and those with little else to lose – to pursue fame, fortune, or simply a fresh start in the West. One early…
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‘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…
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…
The “Busy Women” who helped build Moab: The Moab Women’s Literary Club served the area for a century
The Moab community has been profoundly shaped by a group of women who first established Moab’s “Busy Woman’s Club” in 1898 to advance cultural and community causes. Over a century later, the influences…
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…
Why is Moab called Moab?
Visitors to Moab often inquire about the origin of the city’s name. What’s the story behind the name? Why Moab? The Moab Valley is the traditional and ancestral land of Ute people, who…
The Transcontinental Railroad & Utah: Telling the story of Chinese laborers
On May 10, 1869, the Golden Spike was driven into the railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah, completing the once-unimaginable rail line that crossed the continent and dramatically shaping America’s history. The Transcontinental Railroad,…