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Show Only Hospital In San Juan County The first and only hospital In San Juan county is in Monticello. This hospital, born from the acute reed of the 4,500 people then in the county came into existence in 1947. MONUMENT VALLEY in southeastern Utah, typical of the Plateau in central western Colorado and eastern Utah, presenting extremely difficult terrain for prospectors seeking minerals. In these desolate cliffs is found uranium ore bodies. County leaders obtained it as a provisional gift from the War Assets Administration. The grounds and all buildings will be deeded to the county if the hospital is kept in continuous operation for twenty-fiv- e years. The 19 acres of hospital grounds contain the hospital proper, a seven room house used as a doctors residence, 2 four room houses used as nurses homes, and a 4 car garage. The building now remodelled into a hospital was originally used as a staff house for government employees at the uranium mill during World War II. After acquiring the property the county converted the main building into an attractive, modern hosd pital at a cost of $50,000.00. of 'this cost was borne by the county, by the state d of Utah, and by the federal government. This 12 bed hospital has an alert and competent staff of eight; six nurses, of which four are registered nurses, a cook, and a housekeeper. Though small, the hospital Is completely modern and well equipped. It has a complete laboratory y machine. The and a new operating room has adequate surgical and oxygen equipment. The glass enclosed nursery has an incubator for premature infants, and the delivery room is equipped with an oxygen tent. The hospital has an autoclave for use in sterilizing supplies and equipment. Employees of the uranium mill in Monticello have recently donated a new resuscitator to the hospital. The hospital participates in the Blue Cross Hospital and Blue Cross medical insurance plans. One-thir- Monficello Becomes Center Of San Juan County Uranium Boom Monticello, so named because of Its location on the slopes of the Abajo Range, locally called the Blue Mountains, is situated in the center of the vast uranium fields on the famous Colorado Plateau. Many of the richest and best known uranium mines are in San Juan county not far from Monticello. For instance, the famous Mi Vida mine of the Utex Co., is only 25 miles northeast of Monticello. The Happy Jack mine is about 0 miles southwest. And just to mention a few more of the many producing mines in this area, there are the Maybe, the Blue Lizard, and the Bullseye. With so many producing mines near and with the uranium processing mill already established in Monticello, the town has taken on a new importance, especially to the mining industry. It has become a thriving, bustling little city. The ever increasing population has the town literally bursting out at the seams. City fathers are confronted with all the problems that commonly beset a rapidly growing community, such as health and sanitation, and adequate housing, power and water. Estimates of the present population run from 2200 to 2500, and new residents, arriving daily, find the motels full to overflowing. It is hard to believe that just three short years ago Monticello was just an average, quiet country village with a stagnant population level of only 1176. Its streets were dusty and muddy; its youth were offered few opportunities or attractions; its facilities for entertainment were poor; its merchants unable to give customers a choice, as to price, style or quality in the merchandise offered. With the economy geared only to ranching and cattle there seemed to be little opportunity for business, and no industrial activity. However, new life and new money has been injected into the veins of Monticello commerce, with the discovery and the mining of uranium ore on the Colorado plateau. The one motel which was here in 1950 has since doubled in size. Then a second motel was built. Now two others are in the process of construction, with completion dates in early spring. Modern trailer homes have be come very popular in this locality. Between June and December, 1954, four new trailer parks opened for business. At present Monticello has six trailer courts, and all are enjoying a land office business. Building construction and its allied trades is progressing at a feverish pace. Part of the business building permits taken out during the last half of 1954 include a service station, a tire building, two motels, a rooming house, cleaner and laundry, office building, warehouses, garages, and a newspaper plant. In November 1954 buildings under actual construction within the city limits, totalled $371,000.00. Monticello proper is contained in about 70 square blocks, but very shortly the city limits will have to be pushed out farther. New business buildings have been erected on the highways east, north and south of town. While west of town just outside of the city limits, a beautiful new residence addition is rapidly taking shape with ten homes already partially completed and more slated for construction. It is estimated that the cost of the ten homes now being built will total approximately $185,000.00. In the fall of 1954 a city zoning ordinance was passed so that its growth could be planned and guided into definite residential, commercial and industrial areas. Also, in November of 1954 the city pulled itself out of the mud, so to speak. City streets not already paved were treated to a thick coat of black topping, at a cost of $40,000.00. During early 1954 exploration activity by the AEC, other government agencies and by private mining firms and individuals stood at an alltime high on the Colorado Plateau and elsewhere in the United States. Leases on uranium bearing public lands are issued by the Grand Junction Operations office of AEC after a U. S. mining engineer committee selects the most promising applicant. RED CANYON MINES Owner & Operator of Blue Lizard Copper Uranium Ores Preston Redd Standing, Utah Robert Redd Standing, Utah J. Wiley Redd Lyman Redd John Redd I t i Btanding, Utah Btanding, Utah Btanding, Utah Leon W. Adams Monticelio, Utah Donald T. Adams Monticello, Utah " INSCRIPTION ROCK near Monticello, bearing designs and figures placed there by Indians long before civilization pushed into the district. Such painted inscriptions can be found on numerous rock outcroppings in many sections of the Colorado l Utah. and Plateau, and especially in south-centra- south-easter- n one-thir- d one-thir- Good Hunting, Fishing In Surrounding Area (altitude 7,066 Monticello, ) county seat of San Juan Coutny, is popular with, hunters and fishermen as a base from which to start their sporting expeditions. Many areas which provide some of the best hunting and fishing in the state of Utah are easily accessible from Monticello. South Creek, North Creek, and Indian Creek, all within half an hours drive from Monticello, provide excellent trout fishing. The natural mountain streams, beaver dams, and lakes are stocked by the state with several varieties of mountain trout, such as the rainbow and speckled trout. To augment the natural facilities for fishing, several reservoirs have been constructed in both the Abajo and the La Sal Mountains which are also stocked each year before fishing season begins. Natives are convinced that the delicate, delicious flavor and fine texture of freshly caught mountain trout is above being compared with the eating qualities of any other fish. In 1954 there were 3538 nonresident, and 1200 resident hunting permits sold in San Juan County, bringing a total of $70,204.00 into the county coffers. After the 1954 hunting season had ended, a group of officials from the Utah State Fishing and Game department made a three day trip into the San Juan deer country to observe deer conditions. The trip consisted of an extensive loop through deer country; first going north into Harts Draw, Indian Creek, North Cottonwood, Salt Creek Mesa, and over Milk Ranch Point across the South Elks to the Wooden Shoe country, on to Hideout and Deer Flat near the Natural Bridges, and returning on the south road through Comb Wash and South Cottonwood. Their report is that the deer appeared plentiful after the hunt, so there will be sufficient reason to hunt again in 1955. Public Hearings Bring Advances in Man is constantly searching for knowledge about his new weapon against disease, atomic power and radioactivity. During the past year numerous public hearings were conducted into the effects of radiation of high energy particles as compared to X-- and gamma-ray- s on man, animals and living plants. Present and potential peaceful and beneficial use of atomic energy were discussed and results made known to scientists so that further research could be conducted. These hearings also presented information on the contributions of atomic energy and its byproducts to agriculture. Churches Serve All People Of Monticello, Are Well Attended The first bulwark of all American communities is its churches, Monticello citizens are proud of their churches. The newest and by far the largest church here belongs to members of the faith that started and first settled this area In 1880, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, better known as the Mormon Church. The new Chapel was finished in 1952 at a cost of approximately $145,000.00. The brick structure consists of a large chapel, a recreation hall with a full sized stage and cyclorama at one end, 12 classrooms, 2 rest rooms, a cloak room, a tiled Baptismal font, large foyer. Bishops office, store room, lackers, and a spacious Relief Society room. The entire building is equipped with a loud speaker system. The church also maintains a seminary and a welfare supply house here. The L.D.S Church has the facilities, and has planned its organizations so that its members are furnished with a rounded social program, as well as with complete religious training for people of all ages, from toddlers on up. The first Protestant Missionary to stay in this area for any length of time, was sent here by the Northern Baptist Convention in 1923. For many years the Protestant people met about once a month for their services in the country school houses near Monticello. The present San Juan Community Church had its inception in 1940 at the 4M Guest Ranch, when 27 people signed pledges to support the organization to be known as the San Juan Community Church. Actual construction was not begun until 1948. Before the church was finished in 1949, fire from an overheated stove destroyed the east half of the new budding. After this blow the struggling Community church received assistance from many outlying communities, as well as from the generous L.D.S. members in Monticello. Finally the new church was completed and dedicated in 1950. It consists of a large Sanctuary, 3 classrooms, a social hall, and a large modern kitchen. Many of civic Monticellos organizations and clubs, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, and the 4H Clubs, now hold their banquets in the Community Church social hall. As near as can be learned the first Catholic Mass was held in a private home about 1916. Shortly before this the Catholic settlers had begun to gather funds to build a church. However, they were not able to begin building until 1934, at which time they erected a church of stucco construction. Several years later a modern four room log rectory was attached to the rear of the church. In 1948 a church recreation hall was built at the rear of the church property. The interior of the original church was completely remodeled and redecorated during the spring and summer of 1954. The Catholic population of Monticello has recently increased so much that plans are being made to greatly enlarge the present church, or to build a new one ia the near future. Add 50 Miles Of New Roads In 1954, San Juan, Utah, received $90,000 from the state and had an ' additional $6,000 from direct county taxation plus $8,000 from other sources to apply to construction and maintenance of county roads. There are 1,200 miles of improved and graded roads in the county to keep in repair, and 50 miles of graveled side roads were recently completed. Approximately $92,000 was spent in 1954 on improvement of county roads. DOVE CREEK STATE BANK SERVING INDUSTRIES of the COLORADO PLATEAU DEPOSITS INSURED UP TO $10,000 BY FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORP. PHONE 32 COLO. DOVE CREEK See Charlie for Best Prices on Liquors While In Dove Creek Charlie's Liquor Store Quality Siock Dove Creek, Colorado t Phone 40 W |
