Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; Recreation; Rock Climbing; Swasey, Royal; Swasey, Glen
Royal Swasey and son Glen climbed to the top of this huge rock formation. Rock Climbing and Bouldering are favorite sports on the San Rafael today. This picture was taken in the 1930s.
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; Recreation; San Rafael Rafael Swell; San Rafael River; Nielson, James
James Nielson and his brother Craig ran the San Rafael River on a homemade raft in 1964. The next year they made a canoe out of fiberglass. In this photograph, it doubles as shelter during a rainstorm on their journey.
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; Recreation; San Rafael River; River Running; Nielson, James
James Nielson and his brother were the first (as far as they know) to run the San Rafael River through the Wedge area. This photograph was taken from their homemade raft which they used for their first run in 1964. James Nielson loves the river...
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; Recreation; San Rafael River; River Running; Nielson, James
James Nielson (right) and his younger brother Craig on their first trip down the San Rafael River in 1964 as teenagers. They made the raft from lumber scraps and barbed wire and took automobile tires as life preservers. They navigated their way...
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; Recreation; San Rafael River; River Running; Nielson, James; Nielson, Craig; Funk, Bruce
James Nielson and his brother Craig began running the river in 1964 on a homemade raft. The next year they built a canoe out of fiberglass. Craig Nielson is pictured here with Bruce Funk, a brother-in-law, on their river trip in 1965.
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; Recreation; School Teacher; Automobile
Mr. Hair was the ninth grade teacher in 1923. Sammy Rowley wrote, "We all adored him. This was a classy car!" He took his class to the desert (San Rafael Swell) for a Spring field trip.
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; Recreation; Swasey Family; Eastering; Swinging Bridge
Swasey Kids on the Swinging Bridge on Easter Sunday. The tradition of spending Easter weekend on the San Rafael Swell began in the early 1900s for residents of Emery and Carbon County. The Swasey family spent a lot of time on the Swell. Their...
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; Rededication of Bridge; Swinging Bridge
In 1991 the bridge had been repaired and was rededicated. This old, restored car represented the automobiles that first traveled across the bridge in 1937. It was the last vehicle to travel across the bridge. it was then closed to automobiles and...
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; Rock Formations; Arches; Eagle Canyon Arch; Beer Stien Arch
Erosion in the San Rafael Swell has left many interestingly shaped rock formations, many of which look like common items used in life. This, for instance, resembles a beer stien and is called Beer Stien Arch, but officially named Eagle Canyon Arch
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; Rock Formations; Jack's Knob; USGS; Geology; Baker, A.A.
United States Geographical Survey photographer A.A. Baker took this photograph in 1931.The San Rafael Swell was the last area of the United States to be surveyed because it was so rough and remote. This collection of United States Geological Survey...
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; Rockwork; Civilian Conservation Corps; CCC
Rock Dam built by the CCC boys in the 1930s. They had professional people as their supervisors and followed directions very well. The rockwork is still a work of art.
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; San Rafael Bridge Dedication; Civilian Conservation Corps; San Rafael River; Swinging Bridge; CCC
In 1937 the San Rafael Swinging Bridge was opened to the public after a formal dedication. There was a huge turnout for the occassion. Cattlemen and sheepmen furnished barbecued beef and mutton. A band played and three young men from the CCC...
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; San Rafael Bridge Dedication; Swinging Bridge; Davis Family; Saw Mills
The Davis family owned the Davis Sawmill in Reeder's Canyon in Joe's Valley which had the government contract to provide the lumber for building the San Rafael Bridge. The family is pictured here during the dedication of the Bridge. Elias Henry...
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; San Rafael Bridge; Swinging Bridge
In 1994 a new bridge was completed across the San Rafael River, and the old Swinging Bridge was repaired and rededicated as a foot bridge. This is an aerial view of the river area in Buckhorn Draw.
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; San Rafael Reef; Interstate 70; Survey Crew; Spotted Wolf Canyon
In 1957 when Eisenhower's Defense highway System was being built to connect the whole nation, only one route was designed from Salt Lake City, Utah to Denver, Colorado. In the 60s another highway was suggested as a second route that would take the...
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; San Rafael Reef; Spotted Wolf Canyon; Interstate 70; Freeways
When the Spotted Wolf route for the Interste 70 was chosen, there was a great deal of blasting and cutting to make a way for a road through the imposing rock border on the east side of the San Rafael Swell. It was completed and opened to the public...
Emery County (Utah); San Rafael Swell; San Rafael River; San Rafael Bridge; Livestock; Sheep
The San Rafael Swinging Bridge was built by the CCCs in1937. It was constructed under the direction of the Division of Grazing. It benefitted local ranchers by providing safe and convenient access to thousands of acres of winter grazing for their...