Green River in Sweetwater County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
William Ashley - 1825
Ashley supervised the building of "bull boats" - clumsy crafts of buffalo hides stretched over a willow frame and then led 7 men down the Green River. His was the first recorded river trip on the Green.
The voyagers passed by Expedition Island on Sunday, April 25, 1825. They walked around many rapids including Ashley Falls, now under Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
They continued downriver through the Green's canyons until they arrived in the Uinta Basin (now Utah) on June 16th. From there, Ashley left the river and made his way back to this area for the first of the great annual rendezvous held on Henry's Fork in July 1825.
Though not widespread, word of Ashley's decent (sic) of the river gradually spread in the "States" letting others know that river travel down the Green was possible. Later mountain men used dugout canoes made from cottonwood logs to float the Green.
Erected by Green River Greenbelt and City of Green River.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is April 25, 1825.
Location. 41° 31.378′ N, 109° 28.282′ 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. William Manly - 1849 (a few steps from this marker); Major Wesley Powell and Party (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Unknown (within shouting distance of this marker); Buzz Holstrom (within shouting distance of this marker); John Wesley Powell, 1871 (within shouting distance of this marker); The French Trio - 1938 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Damsite Surveys (within shouting distance of this marker); Norm Nevills & A.K. Reynolds - 1940's (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 September 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 472 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.