Powell Of The Colorado
Clark County, Clark County, Nevada
Marker Inscription
Powell Of The Colorado. On August 30, 1869, Major John Wesley Powell landed at the mouth of the Virgin River, about twelve miles south of here, thus ending the first expedition through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.The expedition left Green River City, Wyoming Territory, on May 24, 1869. For three months Powell and his men endured danger and hunger to explore, survey, and study the geology of the canyons along the Green and Colorado Rivers.Exhausted and near starvation, the Powell party was fed by the Mormons of St. Thomas, a small farm settlement about eleven miles north of here.The original sites of St. Thomas and the junction of the Virgin and Colorado Rivers are now beneath the waters of Lake Mead.This, and later Powell surveys, stimulated interest in the water conservation problems of the Southwest.
Erected by National Park Systemnevada State Museum, Las Vegas
The Story
On August 30, 1869, Major John Wesley Powell and his weary crew reached the mouth of the Virgin River, completing the first expedition through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. They had launched from Green River City, Wyoming Territory, three months earlier, enduring rapids, hunger, and the unknown to survey and study the great river canyons. Near starvation at journey's end, the party was fed by Mormon farmers at nearby St. Thomas. The original settlement and river junction now lie beneath Lake Mead.
Why it matters
Powell's daring voyage filled in one of the last blank spots on the American map and launched the nation's reckoning with water and conservation in the arid West.
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Related people
- · John Wesley Powell
Related events
- · Powell Geographic Expedition of 1869
Themes & tags
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