Are We There Yet?
From this spot in the fall of 1776, you might have seen a small expedition crossing the plains below, heading west into Utah. The group was led by Atanasio Dominquez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante, two Franciscan friars attempting to find a northern route from Santa Fe, New Mexico to newly established Spanish missions in Monterrey, California. Their expedition was the first known group of Europeans to enter what is now Dinosaur National Monument. Maps and journal entries described many of Dinosaur's prominent landmarks and included details of crossing the Green River near the modern day Quarry Visitor Center on September 16, 1776. Eventually, the friars would explore Utah Valley, south of modern day Salt Lake City. After abandoning their quest to reach California, they endured an arduous journey back to Santa Fe, navigating the canyon country surrounding the Colorado River in what is now Southern Utah. Although they did not achieve their stated goal, the Dominquez-Escalante Expedition is credited as the first group to map vast areas of the American West, paving the way for later travelers. Their journey would set in motion dramatic changes
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Picture caption: How many different maps or devices did you use to arrive at this spot today? The Dominquez-Escalante Expedition could only rely on geographical and astronomical observations, local guides, and trial and error to select their route.
Father Escalante Discovers Utah Valley by E. Kieth Eddington
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Exploration • Hispanic Americans. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1776.
Location. 40° 19.523′ N, 108° 56.761′ W. Marker is near Dinosaur, Colorado, in Moffat County. Marker can be reached from Harpers Corner Road, 8 miles north of U.S. 40. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dinosaur CO 81610, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. What Makes a Wilderness? (approx. 9˝ miles away); Fight for the Heart of Dinosaur (approx. 13.8 miles away).
Also see . . . Dinosaur Nat'l Monument. (Submitted on August 12, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 113 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
