Cowboy Tack Shed

Cowboy Tack Shed. Workstation of the West. The first white settlers of the region were cattlemen. Cattle were first introduced into the San Juan County-Blue Mountain area during the 1870s. Large numbers of the animals were placed on the thousands of acres of lush grasses which grew in the area. Spud Hudson, who came in 1878, dominated the cattle industry until about 1883. , Home on the Range , Monticello endured several typical “old west” conflicts between cowboys and Indians. The cowboy activities of imbibing and shoot 'em ups, were, as expected, a considerable contrast to the Mormon culture of its more settled residents. Many of these cowboys came into San Juan from Texas. They came to this remote canyon country to avoid the law. Some stayed in the county, developing their own cattle companies and other businesses. And became prominent citizens. , The chuck wagon, an invention of Texas cattleman John Goodnight, was declared an ideal device and was widely copied throughout the West. Besides grub, water, pots and pans, medicines, and other supplies, the cowboys' bedrolls and few personal possessions were carried on the wagon.