Green River in Sweetwater County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Norm Nevills & A.K. Reynolds - 1940's
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015
1. Norm Nevills & A.K. Reynolds - 1940's Marker
Caption: Norm Nevills at the oars launched from Green River City on June 20th, 1940.
In 1940, Nevills decided to float from Green River, Wyoming to Lake Mead. The party included his wife Doris, and one other woman. Their departure from Expedition Island on June 20th, 1940 was marked by ceremonies with Wyoming and Utah state officials who presented Nevills with special license plates for his boats. The trip was successful, but not without hardship.br During the 1940's, Nevills ran commercial river trips on several western rivers. On June 21st, 1947, Nevills returned to Wyoming for another commercial trip on the Green River to Jensen, Utah. By the time of his death in September, 1949, Nevills had run the Grand Canyon more times than any other person and was known as "the world's number one fastwater man."
When Nevills was at Expedition Island in 1947, he inspired a local man, A.K. Reynolds, to start his own business. Reynolds, Mike Hallacy, and G.G. Larson, all Green River residents, built cataract boats to Nevills' specifications and started Reynolds-Hallacy River Expeditions. Reynolds ran trips on the upper Green until the early 1960's and the inundation of the river under Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Sports • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is June 20, 1940.
Location. 41° 31.386′ N, 109° 28.23′ W. Marker is in Green River, Wyoming, in Sweetwater County. Marker can be reached from South 2nd East Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 398 South 2nd East Street, Green River WY 82935, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The French Trio - 1938 (a few steps from this marker); Major Wesley Powell and Party (within shouting distance of this marker); Green River City Hall - 1942-1954 (within shouting distance of this marker); Riverside Swimming Pool (within shouting distance of this marker); Buzz Holstrom (within shouting distance of this marker); William Ashley - 1825 (within shouting distance of this marker); William Manly - 1849 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Damsite Surveys (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Green River.
More about this marker. This marker is located next to the perimeter walking path in Island Park. Island Park occupies the northwestern end of Expedition Island and is across the bridge at the south end of South 2nd East Street.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015
2. Norm Nevills & A.K. Reynolds - 1940's Marker
The marker is in the shadows at the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 1, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
