Grand County's Past Resides at Museum of Moab.

Museum of Moab

118 East Center Street
Moab, Utah, 84532

Phone: (435) 259-7985

Website: http://www.moabmuseum.org

One block east of the intersection of Center and Main Streets is a two story, brick building housing the Museum of Moab.  It contains Grand County's past - Anthropology, Archaeology, Paleontology, Geology and History; landscapes of Moab are immortalized in paintings along the walls of the Art Gallery.  When you enter, expect to be greeted by Victoria; she is passionate about Moab and the museum itself; she'll gladly answer any questions.  Across from the welcome desk is a small gift shop, but it's packed with books, artwork, collectibles, toys, and Native American wares.





















Past the gift shop is the Paleontology Room featuring the bones of a Camarasaurus found south of Moab; ancient coral reef specimens, and fossilized dinosaur eggs.  Just around the corner of the gift shop is the full skeleton of an Ankylosaurus.

Camauasaurus

Ankylosaurus

Geology, Minerals and the Mining Era come next; beautiful specimens of crystals, a diorama of Moab's typography; story boards detailing the various mines including Charlie Steen's (Moab's Uranium King) "Mi Vida" mine; and the "Atlas Mine" which is still in an ongoing project to remove the tailings (Potash Road - Route 279).

Mining Era

Mi Vida Mine

Atlas Mine

Homestake La Sal Mine - that's my hubby, Roy, helping to
 keep the story boards open.

Moab's history is full with Ranchers, Native Americans, Cowboys, the World Wars; the movie industry has used various areas in Grand County for films and television shows.

Movie Props

Cattle Ranching

The Ute

Native Americans

Pithouse

Stones Used for Jewelry

 

 

 



A section of Mammoth tusk was found, and this is within the Native American display area.



 

Upstairs is the Art Gallery where many of the paintings have been done by the Moab Pastel Guild.  There's also a room depicting what life was like for the settlers in the early 1900s, and a doctor's office from the 1920s.  From 1933 thru 1942, Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work program which provided work to unemployed unmarried men from relief families - a photo of the Blanding Utah CCC is proudly hung on the Art Gallery wall.

 

The Art Gallery

Moab Pastel Guild

Blanding Utah CCC - August 8, 1940

The Settlers

1920s Doctor's Office

 

The Museum of Moab began in 1958 and has outgrown its walls; they are currently asking for donations to achieve the goal of expanding the building.  This is a worthwhile venture, as around every corner there is an exhibit that will interest everyone; drawing out "oohs" and "aahs" from children and adults alike.

 

Mary Cokenour



A Drive Through the La Sal Mountains.

The La Sal Mountains have already had a light snow on them, twice, in this past month.  It quickly melts away, but reminds us that winter is just around the corner.  Anyone wanting to take the ride through the mountains, via the La Sal Loop Road, should do it as soon as possible; for once it snows deeply, well...

Roy and I took advantage of a warm, partly cloudy Sunday to take the ride; instead of beginning on the Creek Road (Grand County Road 128), we began on the Old Spanish Trail Road.  This road can be accessed from Route 191 near Ken's Lake, or Old Airport Road; just follow the signs.  As we ascended, we were now on San Juan County Road 127 (CR 127); yep, the La Sal Mountains span across both counties.  At the first high corner turn there was a pull in area; the Moab Rim could be seen in the distance.

Twisting and turning through the mountains and forest was so relaxing; occasionally passing a lake or campground.  There were many signs for ranches, but the majority rented out cabins to visitors for the warmer months. Eventually you'll see a sign indicating County Road 1704; you've just entered Grand County.  At one point, we looked down into a valley (Brumley Ridge) full of log homes or chalets; almost like a scene from the Swiss Alps.

At Bald Mesa we got our first viewing of Castle Valley; when you take the La Sal Loop Road off of CR 128, you will drive through this area.  Two formations you'll see immediately will be Castleton Tower and The Rectory (looks like nuns standing before a priest).

A little ways, as we began a downward descent, is the trail to Miners Basin; a miners ghost town with cabins still standing.  It's a three mile hike, one way, and we were not prepared to do this, so another addition to our to-do list.  We did pull in just past the trail to take a photo of the area in that direction.

Some of the curves do narrow in spots, but vehicles coming in opposite directions can still pass each other easily.  As we rounded one corner, we got our second viewing of Castle Valley, and our first viewing of the Porcupine Rim.

 The Porcupine Rim

We knew we were getting closer to the end of the La Sal Loop Road as Castle Valley became more and more into focus.  Suddenly we came to a junction, to the left was CR 128, the River Road that led back to Moab, or up to the ghost town, Cisco.  However, Road 207 led to Gateway...Gateway, Colorado; oh we had a choice on our hands now!


Castle Valley



Castleton Tower and The Rectory

So, back to that question of which direction we chose to go in; well you'll just have to wait for the next posting on this blog for the answer.

Mary Cokenour