Moab in Grand County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Back of Beyond Books and Edward Abbey

Photographed by Tom Bosse

1. Back of Beyond Books and Edward Abbey Marker

Inscription. Author Edward Abbey (1927-1989) spent most of his life in his beloved American southwest, working various jobs with the National Park Service and United States Forest Service while honing his craft of writing. His best known book, Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness, published in 1968, blended journal writings from two seasons working as a ranger in Moab at Arches National Monument in the late 1950's. Although Abbey owned a house and property in Moab, he spent his latter-years in the Tucson area. He was the author of more than twenty books.

The genesis of Back of Beyond Books grew from a conversation at Abbey's memorial, near Arches National Park, in May 1989, during which an idea arose to create a bookstore to honor Abbey and the desert he loved. Back of Beyond Books opened its doors in February 1990. The store's name was drawn from Abbey's novel, The Monkey Wrench Gang. One of the gang, Seldom Seen Smith, was an outfitter, and the name of his company - and hideout - was "Back of Beyond."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1990.

Location. 38° 34.471′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

109° 33.057′ W. Marker is in Moab, Utah, in Grand County. It is on North Main Street (U.S. 191) south of W 100 N, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 83 North Main Street, Moab UT 84532, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Canyon Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

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 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Star Hall History (approx. 0.2 miles away); Star Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Moab L.D.S. Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Early L.D.S. Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Old Log Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elk Mountain Mission (approx. 0.2 miles away); Scott M. Matheson (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Moab Skyway - High Hopes and Big Risks (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 9, 2025

2. Back of Beyond Books and Edward Abbey Marker

of all markers in Moab.

Also see . . . Edward Abbey. (Submitted on June 22, 2025, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 9, 2025

3. Back of Beyond Books and Edward Abbey Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 9, 2025

4. Back of Beyond Books and Edward Abbey Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2025, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 22, 2025, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.