Grand Canyon National Park in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Early Explorer
Photographed By Denise Boose, December 9, 2016
1. Early Explorer Marker
Inscription.
Early Explorer. . This monument honors Major John Wesley Powell, the leader of the first documented expedition through Grand Canyon. Imagine entering the depths of Grand Canyon down a roaring, not-yet-charted river, not knowing whether you will emerge. Because Powell's first expedition in 1869 was more survival than science, he led a second in 1871-1872, which gave America its first geologic glimpse of the canyon.
The names Frank Goodman, William Dunn, and brothers Oramel and Seneca Howland, 1869 expedition members, are missing from this 1912 monument. All were labeled "deserters"-though not by Powell-for leaving the voyage. Goodman left after the first major rapid in northern Utah. Dunn and the Howlands left just two days before the trip's end. They attempted to climb out of the canyon, but were never heard from again.
There are great descents yet to made....maybe, we shall come to a fall...we cannot pass...where the water is so swift we cannot return...How will it be in the future! , John Wesley Powell
This monument honors Major John Wesley Powell, the leader of the first documented expedition through Grand Canyon. Imagine entering the depths of Grand Canyon down a roaring, not-yet-charted river, not knowing whether you will emerge. Because Powell's first expedition in 1869 was more survival than science, he led a second in 1871-1872, which gave America its first geologic glimpse of the canyon.
The names Frank Goodman, William Dunn, and brothers Oramel and Seneca Howland, 1869 expedition members, are missing from this 1912 monument. All were labeled "deserters"-though not by Powell-for leaving the voyage. Goodman left after the first major rapid in northern Utah. Dunn and the Howlands left just two days before the trip's end. They attempted to climb out of the canyon, but were never heard from again.
There are great descents yet to made....maybe, we shall come to a fall...we cannot pass...where the water is so swift we cannot return...How will it be in the future! John Wesley Powell
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.
Location. 36° 4.386′ N, 112° 9.083′ W. Marker is in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, in Coconino
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County. Marker is on Hermits Road, on the right when traveling east. Located on Powell Point off of Hermit Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Hermits Road, Grand Canyon AZ 86023, United States of America. Touch for directions.
1869
John C. Summer
Walter H. Powell
C.Y. Bradley
William R. Hawkins
Andrew Hall
1872
A.H. Thompson
F.S. Dellenbaugh
John K. Hillers
Stephen V. Jones
W. Clement Powell
Andrew J. Hattan
Erected by the Congress of the United States to Major John Wesley Powell first explorer of the Grand Canyon who descended the river with his party in row-boats traversing the gorge beneath this point August 17 1869 and again September 1 1872.
Photographed By Denise Boose, December 9, 2016
5. Early Explorer Marker
Losing an arm in the Civil War never slowed Powell.
Photographed By Denise Boose, December 9, 2016
6. Early Explorer Marker
Powell's crew prepares to shove off at Green River Wyoming on their 1871 expedition.
Photographed By Erik Christeson
7. Early Explorer Marker and Monument Site
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 348 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 7, 2017, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 7. submitted on April 20, 2023, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
