2005 OCTA Convention - US 40 West From Colorado

GETTING TO SALT LAKE CITY

Sites and Sights Along the Way
By Dr. Jay Aldous

US 40 West From Colorado

Green River (MM 159): The Green River after passing through Split Mountain brakes forth into the Uintah Basin. John Wesley Powell passed through here on his way to explore the Grand Canyon in 1869.
Dinosaur National Monument (MM 158): One can see the actual removal of fossils from the quarry at the visitor’s center.
Vernal (MM 144) In this area pick up the route of the Domínguez-Escalante expedition that essentially followed the Duchesne River to Strawberry Reservoir. On the corner of Main and Vernal is a bank (now Zions Bank) known as the “Parcel Post Bank”.

Parcel Post Bank in Vernal.

Click thumbnail for larger photo.

The contractor found that he could have the bricks shipped by mail less expensively than having them freighted to Vernal. Each brick was wrapped and addressed and sent by US Mail. Mail regulations were changed following this incident. There is an excellent natural history museum at 5^th East and Main Streets

Utah Museum of Natural History in Vernal.

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Gusher (MM125): This town was first know as Moffit, one of the wildest towns in the west. The post office was closed in 1911 due to unethical procedures. The post office would not accept the same name when the town reapplied for a post office. The town was renamed Gusher in 1921 when oil was discovered three miles nor of the community. A stage line ran from Vernal to Price and Gusher (Moffit) was the lunch stop. The Outlaw Trail crossed the highway in this vicinity. The Outlaw Trail connected the remote area of Brown’s Park on the Green River with Robbers Roost southwest of Green River, Utah. Utah’s most famous outlaw of the past, Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch utilized this trail.
Roosevelt (MM 117): Roosevelt was named for President Theodore Roosevelt who was president when the community was organized in 1905-06. Roosevelt issued a proclamation in 1902 opening the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation for settlement by whites. This community is the gateway to recreation on the south side of the Uintah Mountains. The rounded summit of Kings Peak, the highest spot in Utah, may be seen in the mountains to the north.
Duchesne (MM 89): As you cross the river you enter Duchesne. This was another settlement created by the opening of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservations for white settlement.
Strawberry Reservoir (MM 48): This is a favorite fishing destination for many people. The Domínguez-Escalante expedition traveled south west to Diamond Fork.
Heber City (MM 20): Heber City was on the Simpson route to Fort Bridger. Hot springs were mentioned by Simpson in the northwestern part of the valley that now are the center of the Homestead Resort.
Silver Creek Junction (I-80 Exit 148): Join Interstate 80 and the Golden Pass Road to Salt Lake City.
Park City (I-80 Exit 145): Park City once a booming mining town, is now a world renown skiing resort. The Park City mines produced more silver than the Comstock Load of Nevada and made many fortunes in Utah and in San Francisco.
Salt Lake City (I-15 Exit 310): Your destination and hope for an enjoyable visit at the Crossroads of the West 2005 OCTA Convention.

Additional Information:
Allen Kent Powell. The Utah Guide, 2nd. Edition, Fulcrum Publishing, Golden, 1998.

Peter H. DeLafosse, Editor. Trailing the Pioneers, Utah State University Press, Logan., 1994.

Charles Kelly. Salt Desert Trails, Western Epics, Inc., Salt Lake City, 1996.

Doyce B. Nunis, Jr. The Bidwell-Bartleson Party, Western Tanager Press, Santa Cruz, 1991.

Bill Weir. Utah Handbook, Moon Publications Inc, Chico, 1991.

Tom and Gayen Wharton. Utah, Compass American Guides, Inc., Oakland, 1991.