Near Monticello in San Juan County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Hole N” The Rock, Utah

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 15, 2007

1. Hole N” The Rock, Utah Marker

Inscription. This location has been a travelers’ resting place for two centuries. Beginning in 1829, horse teams on the Old Spanish Trail between Santa Fe and California stopped here for the abundant spring water and shade. After the settlement of Mormon Pioneers, stage coaches traveling between Moab and Monticello stayed here overnight.

Early in the 20th century, the Christensen family of Monticello homesteaded 80 acres here. They blasted out a small cave in the rock where cowboys camped as they drove their stock toward the Colorado River. In 1945, brothers Leo and Albert Christensen expanded the cave and opened “American’s most unique dining room.” The Hole N” The Rock Diner was a watering hole for uranium miners and car tourists until 1955.

The Christensens continued to excavate the cave until it reached its current size of 5000 square feet. Take a ten-minute guided tour of this unique and spectacular 14-room home as millions have done since 1957.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Old Spanish National Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.

Location. 38° 23.443′ N, 109° 27.26′ W. Marker is near Monticello, Utah

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, in San Juan County. It can be reached from U.S. 191. The marker is 12 miles south of Moab Utah. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11037 US-191, Monticello UT 84535, 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 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Spanish Trail (approx. ¼ mile away); Wilson Arch (approx. 9.2 miles away); Birthing Panel (approx. 12.1 miles away); Base Jumping in Moab (approx. 12.2 miles away); Historic La Sal Post Office (approx. 12.3 miles away); Traces from an Ancient Desert Realm (approx. 12.9 miles away); Poison Spider Rock Art (approx. 12.9 miles away); Poison Spider Paleontology (approx. 12.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monticello.

Hole N” The Rock, Utah image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 15, 2007

2. Hole N” The Rock, Utah

Hole N” The Rock-Residence image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 15, 2007

3. Hole N” The Rock-Residence

Note Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial-Created and Sculptured by Albert L. Christensen carved in the rock formation.

Hole N” The Rock-Jail cell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 15, 2007

4. Hole N” The Rock-Jail cell

Hole N” The Rock-Spiritual Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 15, 2007

5. Hole N” The Rock-Spiritual Garden

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,187 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 12, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.