Green River in Sweetwater County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Buzz Holstrom
1937-1938
A friend who was supposed to go on the trip cancelled at the last minute, so Holstrom launched from Green River, Wyoming on October 4th, 1937, alone. He reached Lake Mead on November 20th and rowed all the way across the lake until his boat touched the concrete of the dam. Buzz Holstrom was the first person to float the Green and Colorado Rivers solo.
Bitten by the river bug, Holstrom was back in Wyoming the next year with another river runner, Amos Burg. Holstrom had his same boat and Burg had a relatively new craft - an inflatable rubber raft.
The two attempted another "first" - to float on the Green River below Green River Lakes but found it too rocky for river running. They hired a truck and hauled their gear and boats to Green River, Wyoming, where they launched on September 3rd, 1983, just a few days ahead of the French kayakers.
Burg's raft, the Charlie made it all the way and though the two didn't know it at the time, the raft would prove to be the way of the future for river running in America.
Erected by Green River Greenbelt and City of Green River.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is October 4, 1937.
Location. 41° 31.406′ N, 109° 28.272′ 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. Major Wesley Powell and Party (a few steps from this marker); The Damsite Surveys (within shouting distance of this marker); Kolb Brothers (within shouting distance of this marker); The French Trio - 1938 (within shouting distance of this marker); Julius Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); William Ashley - 1825 (within shouting distance of this marker); William Manly - 1849 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Unknown (within shouting distance of this marker). 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.
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 349 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 1, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.