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

The Co-op Store

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 18, 2016

1. The Co-op Store Marker

Inscription. The community's co-op store was located in the northeast corner of the fort. This cooperative venture, which provided a means for buying, selling and trading, became very successful. The Navajos and Utes also frequented the store, trading their wool, pelts and woven goods. Near the turn of the century, the log structure was replaced with a two-story building. The upper floor of the new store was used as the community's dance hall. In 1925, a bank robber, alias Fred Starr, used too many sticks of dynamite when attempting to open the safe. That caused the demise of both the co-op and Fred Starr.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 37° 17.035′ N, 109° 33.159′ W. Marker is in Bluff, Utah, in San Juan County. It can be reached from East Black Locust Avenue. Marker is on the grounds of the Bluff Fort Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 East Black Locust Avenue, Bluff UT 84512, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Navajo Nation

and 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 walking distance of this marker: Irrigation - The San Juan Pioneers Greatest Challenge (a few steps from this marker); Josephine Catherine Chatterley Wood (a few steps from this marker); The San Juan Gold Rush

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(a few steps from this marker); Replica of the Log Meetinghouse (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the Bluff Fort Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Montezuma (within shouting distance of this marker); The Butt Families (within shouting distance of this marker); F.I. Jones & Mackelprang Families (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bluff.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 18, 2016

2. The Co-op Store Marker

A replica of the Co-op store, in the background, was completed in 2013 and serves as the Visitors Center and Gift Shop. Admission is free.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 639 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.