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Show THE ZEPHYRSEPTEMBER 1990 PAGE 19 h eapltol. The success of Grand County's fruit Industry was dependent on access to freight lines and the railroad. In 1890 the longest narrow-gag- e railroad In the world (720 miles from Denver to Odgen) was replaced by standard gage, establishing the track route still In use today. One of the most travelled routes In the county was between Moab and the railroad station at Thompson's. The road was busy with mall riders and freighters who took two days to make the 8 hour trip from Moab, spending the night at Courthouse Stage Station, the trail to Monitor and Merrlmac Buttes. A similar route from the Moab Ferry to Cisco was hoped for but a bond election In 1892 to create funding for the road failed 31 to 34. Other requests for the county to assume Jurisdiction over travel routes continued. In 1896 the first official request for money to construct a road through the Book Cliffs In the eastern portion of the county was made. The $300 request was denied since a viable route was yet to be determined. Few of the streets Indicated In Moab town plat were open to the general public In 1890. It would be three more years before Grand County officials would declare that all town streets were to be opened for public travel and all fences, outbuildings and Irrigation ditches should be moved accordingly. A man named Terwllllger filed the first mining claim under the new countys Jurisdiction. The mine was called the Lucky Boy. Two years later, the deed books of Grand County would be overwhelmed with recorded claims that followed the discovery of gold on the La Sals. Castleton would become the business center for the La Sal's mining community a success which prompted It an attempt to become the county seat In 1903. A Civil War veteran named John Wesley Wolfe was living In a remote ranch on Salt Wash north of Moab. The ranch was on the route of a popular trail used by horse and cattle rustlers and was about a mile and a half from a large stone arch formation sometimes referred to as "Schoolmarms Bloomers. Grand County took Its name from the Grand River which passed from the snow-capppeaks of the Rocky Mountains to Its Junction with the Green River. Together the Green and the Grand continued as the Colorado. In 1921 the state of Colorado petitioned for a change which would put the Colorado River In the state for which It was named. The river flowed no less grand, but Grand Countys namesake would thereafter be known as the Colorado r 4 't ' ; ALL-AMERICA- N AGENCY 505 No. Main 259-649- 3 Meet Our Real Estate Team Doug McElhaney owner Delbert & Glenna Oliver Norma Nunn 259- 7275 259-687- 8 259-737- 0 - Ray Tibbetts 259-636- 1 Julie Bierschied 259-567- Randy Day 3 259-628- 0 ed w River. There was more.... much more... connections that were both reflections of yesterday and expectations for today. Weve come a long way In one hundred years and yet many of our dreams are the same a healthy economy In which to enjov llvlnq In paradise. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAND COUNTY SIDEBAR: THE COURTHOUSE IN and good luckl Your yard can be fun!" PERSPECTIVE Simplify your Irrigation system with drippers & CALL KEN, and let him design your irrigation system. mini-sprinkle- The first regular meetings of the selectmen of the court of Grand County were held In the home of George Wade, the elected recorder. In 1891, however, Wade sold his property and the county began to pursue a new location where Jail facilities could be built Several community members offered to donate property to the county. Others, like O.W. Warner and J.H. Shafer offered to sell pieces of Improved property. After conducting a site Inspection, facilities committee recommended acceptance of Warner's offer to sell his dance hall and lot for $500. Approval was postponed when several community members objected to the liability and sound Investment of a wooden structure for a courthouse. Questions of water availability and flood danger also complicated the county's deliberation. O.D. Allen, who had acted as assessor and recorder for the new county until general elections could be held, offered his lot and small house for $700. After deliberation the county accepted Allen's offer. They built an addition to the house and added a Jail facility which served until the early 1900s when a $10,000 bond was approved (110 to 14) for the construction of a new courthouse facility. Sentiment for the need for a new courthouse had shifted dramatically over the last six years. A similar bond Issue had been proposed In 1897 to provide for $1 0,000 for the construction of the courthouse and needed road repairs, but the Issued failed miserably with over 100 voters against the bond and only 7 In favor. The old courthouse Is still In use as an art gallery on the comer of Main and 1st North. The new facility that was built In 1903 was razed In the late 1930s to make way for the current main courthouse building which was completed In 1937. At a cost of $65,000, the new facility was considered one of the most modem In Utah. Where High-Te- c rs and Common Sense Meet. Castle Canyon Nursery CALL ANYTIME 259-827- 4 Canyon Country Bed & Breakfast Moab, Utah 6AT PANAMA HATS Too eo ARTiFASHiOX II A Mountain bikers and river runners often stay at the Canyon Country breakfast. -O- UTSIDE magazine bed-an- 35 N. Main Thailand and Bali Cotton Batik Clothing including tops, skirts, pants bikinis, swimsuits mountain bike rentals available Children six and over welcome nouse with large patio Spacious ranch-styl- e Comfortable beds Private and shared bathrooms In town, quiet and off Main Street Air conditioning Delicious and filling Continental Breakfast Assistance in selecting the best local tours -Bike, Hike, Raft, Jeep & Scenic Flights featuring: sterling sliver jewelry from 259-710- 5 d- Chuck & Judy Nichols 590 N. 500 W. Moab, Utah 84532 No smoking on premises No pets, please Rooms start at $35.00 EaBaaaBaK; Vr.iau f gty Ihfcn? rrMr ,y 3QC2 ',,, ' ' I ' ' I ' ' ( 4 i'iVi . li , |
