Moab
Moab was first settled in 1855 as the Elk Mountain Mission of the Mormon Church. Less that 5 months later, three
members of the party were killed by Indians and the settlers fled; abandoning their holdings.
The next permanent settlers came in 1877. A Post Office was established in 1879, and Moab was given
its name, probably from a Biblical source. Finally in 1890 Grand County created with Moab as the county seat.
Cattle and sheep grazing were the main economic activities until the 1940s. Then, occasional mining turned to a boom
as Moab became capital of the western Uranium mining boom which lasted well into the 1960s with a revival in the 1970s.
Since the 1980s recreational pursuits have come to dominate Moab's economy. Long connected with Colorado River
travel and freighting, this historic crossing has become the "Gateway" to some of Utah's most unique scenery with river
running, mountain biking and touring Canyonlands attracting the world to this region.
