Moab and Grand County

Images of America: Utah

by Travis Schenck, Museum of Moab

Grand County's story begins long before the first white settlers entered the valley. The land holds ruins, artifacts, and remnants of many ancient peoples, including Ute, Navajo, Anasazi, and others. Spanish missionaries--who were seeking gold as much as souls--were followed by French fur traders into the mid-1800s, and the end of the Mexican-American War in 1848 brought the land to be known as Grand County into the Union. Soon, the valley was teeming with settlers. In 1880, the name "Moab" appeared in the US Postal Register; it was chosen by William Peirce, a businessman who became the town's first postmaster, and was a reference to the Biblical desert. In 1902, Moab, Utah, was officially incorporated. The coming railroads brought more settlers from around the world. Basque sheepherders, Chinese laborers, and African American cowboys joined followers of Brigham Young to become residents of the growing county. Towns like Thompson, Cisco, and Stateline sprang up along with fruitful orchards, and peaches from Moab were being served at restaurants in Paris.

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2013

Reviews

[Steve Harker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moab and Grand County is an outstanding book that offers a captivating glimpse into the rich history and vibrant culture of this beautiful region. The author's meticulous research and engaging storytelling make it a must-read for anyone interested in the area. I couldn't put it down, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to all readers seeking a deep and insightful exploration of Moab and Grand County.

[Nranger7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this at Arches Natl Park. Other than the first chapter there is not a lot of stuff about the arches. I haven't spent much time in Moab let alone the surrounding towns they talk about so I think someone who is not from the area will not have much interest in this. I enjoyed the history though. My big takeaway is apparently every old building in Moab has burned down.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool info I just wish the images and pictures had been done sequentially- it jumped around too much for my taste. But great info about the history of Moab.