Green River

Nestled in a valley at the confluence of the Green River and Bitter Creek, the town of Green River is situated among some of the most famous and beautiful rock formations in the West. This stunning backdrop was the jumping-off point for John Wesley Powell's famous river explorations. The city's story is intertwined with the arteries of westward expansion. The Colorado River system, the Cherokee and Overland Trails, the Union Pacific Railroad, the Lincoln Highway, the interstate highway system, and even America's first Intergalactic Space Port are all part of the story of Green River. After its humble start as an Overland Trail stage station, the town grew in anticipation of the arrival of the transcontinental railroad and eventually became the Sweetwater County seat. The Green River, ranching, recreation, and the chemical industry also play a part in the town's history.

Authors Terry Del Bene, Ruth Lauritzen, and Cyndi McCullers represent both the Green River Historic Preservation Commission and the Sweetwater County Historical Museum. The majority of the images in this volume are drawn from the Sweetwater County Historical Museum collection with additional material from the U.S. Geological Survey, the Denver Public Library, the Union Pacific Historical Society, and the LDS Church and Intellectual Services, Inc.