Green River in Sweetwater County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Nathaniel Galloway - 1890's
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015
1. Nathaniel Galloway - 1890's Marker
Caption: Trapper, prospector, and pioneer river-runner Nathaniel "Than" Galloway stands beside his boat deep in the Grand Canyon in 1909.
A sometime trapper and prospector from Vernal, Utah, Nathaniel "Than" Galloway revolutionized river travel on the Green and all other western rivers. Galloway was convinced that both beaver and gold could be found in the canyons of the Green River.
He made several shore (sic) runs on the Green between 1891-94 and his first lengthy trip started from Green River, Wyoming in 1895. He returned to Wyoming in 1896, 1898, and 1909 for more river runs.
Galloway's greatest historical contributions were the design of his boats and the way he ran the river, particularly rapids. Galloway designed and built his own boats - they were about 14 feet long and 4 feet wide with a "cockpit" for the oarsman, they had a slight rise both fore and aft and they weighed only 400 pounds. His crafts were very maneuverable and could "turn on a dime."
Most significantly, though, Galloway's river running technique was brand new. Instead of rowing backwards for power and speed and looking over one's shoulder, Galloway simply turned around and faced downstream . This new approach allowed him to see rocks and obstacles in the river and steer around them.
The "Galloway" technique of river-running is used to this day.
Erected by Green River Greenbelt and City of Green River.
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Location. 41° 31.434′ N, 109° 28.352′ W. Marker is in Green River, Wyoming, in Sweetwater County. It can be reached from South 2nd East Street, on the right. 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Wyoming’s Westward Expansion Trails Region. It is also in the American Mountain West. 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George Flavell (here, next to this marker); Sunbeam - 1908 (here, next to this marker); Powell - Colorado River Expedition 1869 (a few steps from this marker); The Paddlewheeler Comet - 1908 (within shouting distance of this marker); Julius Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); John Wesley Powell, 1871 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kolb Brothers (about 300 feet away); The Great Unknown (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.
Also see . . . Galloway - Stone Expedition. National Park
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 10, 2015
2. Nathaniel Galloway - 1890's Marker
Photographed by Unknown
3. Nathaniel Galloway
Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 880 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
