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History Timeline
Travel through more than 130 years of history throughout Grand Junction, Colorado
Pre 1880s
Mesa County's varied and unique terrain was formed by nature’s forces through millions of years. Here, the verdant Rocky Mountains meet the desert beauty of canyon country. The area's first known humans arrived some 13,000 years ago. Native Americans occupied the area for thousands of years; Spanish Padres, mountain men and surveyors came to explore and record the region. Colorado became the Centennial State in 1876. Three years later, an Indian uprising near Meeker led to the removal of Ute Indians from the northern two-thirds of Western Colorado to reservations in Utah. White settlers arrived in Mesa County in 1881.
The Indian ceremonial club, the Navajo basket, and the Spanish Conquistador helmet symbolize the many centuries before 1881
The 1880s
The 1880s was a decade of beginnings. Planners and visionaries in 1881 saw the promise in this broad valley. The arid Grand Valley was a desert, but it was traversed by two major rivers. Water from the Grand River ( later renamed the Colorado ) was soon brought to town and farms, via dams, canals and ditches. The first of many canals were the Pioneer Canal, and the Pacific Slope Ditch in 1882. Grand Junction was incorporated in 1882, and by 1883 Mesa County was established with Grand Junction as the county seat. The town’s population in 1885 was 378, according to a special Colorado State Census, but other sources claimed it was over 800.
Benton and Evelyn Canon settled in Grand Junction in 1887. This bamboo pattern Belleek teapot, a fine porcelain from Ireland, was a wedding present that traveled with them.
The 1890s
By the 1890s the main elements of the economy were in place. Agriculture, commerce and transportation continue to this day. Grand Junction's population in 1890 was 2,030, according to the Federal Census Bureau.
Many varieties of fruit soon became prime crops. The Grand Valley has a long growing season, warm days and cool nights, and irrigation which allows water to be applied exactly as needed. These factors all contribute to growing fruit of extraordinary quality. This scale was owned by John Hines, an orchard owner who was one of the area's first black residents.
The 1900s
Grand Junction by 1900 had evolved from a simple frontier town to a small city with advantages normally only found in much larger communities. This set the pattern that continues. The 1900 Federal Census recorded a Grand Junction population of 3,503, a 72.6 percent gain over the previous decade.
By 1902 the town hired its first crew of three professional firemen, with horses to pull a fire engine. Volunteer firemen were still available, however, and this cap was worn by a member of Hose Company #1. The oil lantern was necessary before electric lights became common.
The 1910s
The decade of the1910s saw growth and prosperity, but it was overshadowed by World War I which began in Europe in 1914. When the war ended in 1918, Grand Junction shared the national optimistic spirit that believed we had fought the final war, and civilization had moved beyond armed conflict. People believed the massive conflict was the “War To End All Wars.” This hopeful outlook was doomed to disillusionment. The population of Grand Junction in 1910 was 7,754, a 121.4 percent increase in a decade.
World War I artifacts at the Museum include this bugle. They had many uses as a signaling instrument before radio was common. The khaki colored cap was standard issue for a soldier’s uniform.
The 1920s
The 1920s were called “The Roaring Twenties” nationally. But in Grand Junction these years were calm and progressive. There was much construction, including a fine new courthouse, the Avalon Theatre, and many schools. The council and city manager form of administration dates from 1922. The population reached 8,665 by 1920, for an increase of 11.7 percent between 1910-1920.
An accessory from the 1920s is this woman’s purse in royal blue beadwork. The frame and clasp are filigree metal. The small size of the purse is appropriate for downsized clothes. Women’s fashions became less confining in the mid 1920s as hemlines rose to the knees, and sleeves could be short. Women’s figures were expected to conform to the new slim look.
The 1930s
 The Great Depression dominated the country in the 1930s. Grand Junction’s regional economy eased the harshest effects. This was not a manufacturing center, with closed factories and large numbers of unemployed. Growth was slow, but the 1930 population was 10,247, an 18.3 percent growth from 1920.
Despite the economic depression of the 1930s, peach production remained fairly profitable. Palisade was the major peach orchard zone, but the Redlands and Bridgeport also had extensive production. Fruit picking sacks, with a bottom which opened easily for emptying, were invented in Palisade by Nancy Brown. The Mountain Lion Fruit label adorned millions of boxes. Wooden baskets also were used widely.
There were many pear orchards as well, chiefly around Clifton.
The 1940s
World War II engulfed the nation from 1941 to 1945. Grand Junction contributed to the new Atomic Age which ended the war. Afterward, the city continued as a part of the national atomic energy complex. The 1940 population was 12,479, a 21.8 percent increase through the 1930s, despite the Depression
World War II brought shortages of many commodities, and the government issued ration books to citizens. Coupons entitled customers to buy allotted amounts of goods like canned food, meat, butter, shoes and gasoline. Coca-Cola was not rationed. It was available in its curvaceous glass bottles, not in cans. Military uniforms were well tailored of durable fabrics, and included headgear.
This is an Army hat, and soldiers were obliged to wear a “cover.”
The 1950s
During the 1950s, the turbulence of the Great Depression, World War II and Korean War were succeeded by a nation focused on the pursuits of peacetime. Grand Junction also thrived, and the uranium industry was an added stimulus. Population in 1950 was 14,504, a 16.2 percent growth through the 1940s.
“Aspinall for Congress” automobile tags were common in Grand Junction during elections. Wayne Aspinall could always count on solid support in Mesa County. Geiger counters measure the radioactivity of uranium. Many Geiger counters were manufactured in Grand Junction during the uranium boom. Brownie cameras were inexpensive, simple to operate, and a favorite.
The 1960s
The 1960s saw significant new developments. The Interstate Highway system reached here, and put Grand Junction on that important national transportation grid. The innovative downtown shopping park drew national attention. The city’s population in 1960 had reached 18,694, a 28.9 percent increase over 1950.
The All America City recognition inspired widespread use of its logo. Even ash trays were adorned with the city’s new honor.
The metallic red shoes with spike heels and pointed toes were dress-up shoes for teacher Gladys Conway. A hat, gloves and purse also were included in a woman’s ensemble.
The 1970s
During the 1970s, citizens were able to afford hot air balloons, sail planes and fine horses. More prosperity was expected as regional corporations invested in huge shale oil projects. In 1970, the beginning of that decade saw a population of 20,170, a 7.9 percent increase in ten years.
Oil shale artifacts include a cylindrical core sample of gray shale with petroleum traces. The cast aluminum retort is for weight testing shale oil. The desk set has a slab of oil rich “mahogany ledge”, and fossil leaves. This is from the desk of Grand Junction attorney Owen Aspinall, who was governor of American Samoa 1961-69.
The 1980s
Prospects looked dynamic in 1980, but the collapse of the oil shale industry in 1982 lead to a drastic retrenchment. Nonetheless, Grand Junction celebrated its centennial with high spirits in 1982. The population had grown to 28,144 in 1980, a 39.5 percent jump from 1970.
The centennial of Grand Junction was a community wide celebration in June, 1982. There were parades, fireworks, concerts, picnics and a pageant in Lincoln Park with costumed citizen performers. This frisbee was one of the products to celebrate the centennial.
Also shown are shirts from bicycle and foot races of the decade.
The 1990s
During the 1990s, Grand Junction continued a steady recovery after the oil shale shock. A variety of new industries, tourism and retirees all contributed to an eventual comeback. The population through the 1980s had crept up to 29,034, which was only a 3.2 percent growth.
The Grand Junction Police Department issues annual reports on its multiple activities. The small force of a hundred years ago has grown to over 200 officers and support staff. Insignias shown here signify different ranks. The baton and badges are from Lt. Bob Knight.
Beyond 2000
The 2,000 Millennium saw an array of fine new public buildings in Grand Junction, with more being planned. The rapidly growing city needed these amenities. The number of inhabitants was 41,986 in 2000. This was a 44.6% increase over 1990. Grand Junction, its suburbs and nearby communities added up to a population of over 100,000. The Census Bureau classifies this as a Metropolitan Area.
The Enstrom's Almond Toffee has been operated by three generations of the family. Their almond toffee is the biggest seller, with customers in every state and around the world. Shown are some promotional items, with their logo.
Geology
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In ancient times, oceans and then deserts covered Western Colorado. Their retreat left great deposits including sand, which compressed into sandstone. To the west of Grand Junction, the red sandstone has weathered into the canyons and elaborate formations of the Colorado National Monument. East of the Grand Valley is the vast, flat-topped Grand Mesa. Volcanic flows had covered that area, forming a protective layer of hard basalt, hundreds of feet deep. The surrounding terrain eroded away, leaving the Grand Mesa with its 10,000' elevation, forests and lakes.
(Monument photo by Al Ligrani) |
Paleontology
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Mesa County has been the site of important fossil discoveries for over a century. These include some of the largest, and some of the smallest dinosaurs in the world. The earliest Brachiosaurus, and a largely intact Apatosaurus are among the many significant dinosaur discoveries. The Bollan Stegosaurus, including tail spikes, was excavated at Rabbit Valley by the Museum of Western Colorado. Mammal fossils of later periods also are found, including mammoth and bison remains.
(Gretel Daugherty Photo) |
Prehistoric Indians
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Traces of Paleo Indians in Mesa County date to 11,000 B.C., and Archaic Indians to 8,000 B.C. Fremont Indians were here about 700 to 1200 A.D. They lived in rock shelters and pit houses, which have yielded archaeological material. Rock art was etched or painted on cliffs and boulders. This example from the Fremont tradition is on a Mesa County ranch. The Fremonts eventually moved away, probably to the Rio Grande Valley and its pueblos.
(Sissi Savoya Williams Photo) |
Ute Indians
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The Utes hunted over wide areas of Utah and Colorado. Some also had seasonal farms. Utes were noted for the fine ponies they raised and traded, and for their buckskin crafts. Ouray, born in 1833, became a tribal leader; his wife was Chipeta. The U.S. government accepted him as the chief Ute during treaty negotiations. In this 1880 photo, Ouray and Chipeta are on the front row. |
Trails
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Indian trails were throughout Western Colorado. The Dominguez-Escalante party used those trails while exploring a route from Santa Fe to California. They came through Mesa County in August, 1776. A wagon road developed which is called the Old Spanish Trail. This sign, at Eagle Rim Park on Orchard Mesa, commemorates that trail and its ford across the Colorado River.
(Vicki Felmlee Photo) |
Explorers
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Fur traders and mountain men ranged throughout Western Colorado, 1821-1845. Pictured is a boulder, inscribed in French by trader Antoine Robidoux in 1837. He had an early trading post, Fort Uncompahgre, near modern-day Delta. Wayfarers included the Marcus Whitman party who came through the valley in 1842. Lt. Edward Beale and Capt. John Gunnison headed two separate exploration expeditions in 1853. The Hayden Survey teams of 1873-1876 surveyed, and named, many geologic features and peaks.
(Jack Owens Photo) |
New Treaties
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In 1879, battles between the government and the Utes near Meeker, Colorado lead to old treaties being cancelled. The Utes were moved to reservations in Utah and Southwest Colorado, and our area was opened to settlement by non-Indians in September, 1881. Utes, however, were free to traverse the area during frequent treks between reservations. Pictured is a Ute who is visiting an early day Mesa County Fair. |
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