Dutch John in Daggett County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

William H. Ashley

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2015

1. William H. Ashley Marker

Inscription. The Ashley National Forest, of which Flaming Gorge National Recreation area is a part, was named after William H. Ashley, an early fur trader and trapper. In 1825, Ashley and his party set out to join Jedediah Smith and other mountain men who were successfully trapping beaver along the Green River.

After a nearly-disastrous boat trip down a portion of the river, Ashley traded with the Utes for horses. He crossed the Uinta Mountains and finally met with Smith and the other trappers on Henry's Fork of the Green River. There, in the summer of 1825, some 1,000 mountain men and Indians traded, while celebrating for several days. Thus, a tradition of the rendezvous was born. It became an annual event for the next 15 years, marking a colorful chapter in Western history.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 40° 54.846′ N, 109° 25.409′ W. Marker is in Dutch John, Utah, in Daggett County. It can be reached from U.S. 191 7 miles north of State Route 44, on the

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left when traveling north. Marker is located at the Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center, overlooking the dam. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dutch John UT 84023, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Uinta Basin

and in the Uinta Mountains.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Flaming Gorge Dam: The Good, the Bad & the Beautiful (within shouting distance of this marker); Matt Warner Reservoir (approx. 12.2 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. William Henry Ashley (Wikipedia). William Henry Ashley was an American miner, land speculator, manufacturer, territorial militia officer, politician, frontiersman, trapper, fur trader, entrepreneur, and hunter. Ashley was best known for being the co-owner with

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2015

2. William H. Ashley Marker

(Green River and Flaming Gorge Dam in background)

Andrew Henry of the highly successful Rocky Mountain Fur Incorporated, otherwise known as "Ashley's Hundred" for the famous mountain men working for the firm from 1822–1834. (Submitted on April 29, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. American West: The Rendezvous Was — And Still Is — One Hell Of A Party. Cowboy State Daily website entry (Submitted on July 26, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Cener image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 15, 2015

3. Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Cener

(turn here to access marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 713 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.