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September 13

On this day they entered into Utah.

September 13th, 1776 is included on our website to symbolize the importance of the Domínguez-Escalante expedition to the people of Utah. The photos below represent a significant event that happened on September 16th, 1776. There are several historical photos alongside images of what can be found there today.

A big thank you goes out to our many Utah Partners.

Brian Cannon, Professor of History and History Department Chair at Brigham Young University shared his and his students’ research with us for several of the days that the Domínguez-Escalante Expedition traveled through Utah.

Utah Documents

September 13 (PDF) by Brian Cannon
September 21 (PDF) by George Smith
September 22 (PDF) by George Smith
September 23 (PDF) by George Smith
September 26 through the 28 (PDF) by Rocko Saldana
September 30 (PDF) by Ronan Anderton
October 1 (PDF) by Ronan Anderton
October 2 (PDF) by Ronan Anderton
October 3 through 5 (PDF) by Adam Wood

A scenic landscape with a historical information sign titled "River of Good Fortune." The sign stands on a rocky path in a desert area with sparse vegetation. In the background, there are mountains, a river, and patches of green vegetation against a partly cloudy sky.
Sign on the banks of the Green River telling of the Domínguez-Escalante Expedition of 1776. Photo by Carol Hunter, May 29, 2020.
Informational sign titled "River of Good Fortune," depicting a historical map and an illustration of explorers on horseback. It’s placed outdoors with a blurred view of vegetation and hills in the background.
Close-up of the sign on the banks of the Green River. Photo by Carol Hunter, May 29, 2020. The text on the sign reads: On September 16, 1776, a small expedition forded the Green River near this spot. They named it the San Buenaventura, or river of good fortune. The group was led by Atanasio Domínguez and Silvestre Vélez de Escalante, two Franciscan friars attempting to find a northern route from Santa Fe, New Mexico to newly established Spanish mission in Monterrey, California. Their expedition was the first known group of Europeans to enter what is now Dinosaur National Monument. Maps and Journal entries described many of Dinosaur’s prominent landmarks including the mountains and hills around you.
A wide river flows calmly with greenery along its banks. In the background, rugged mountains rise dramatically against a blue sky with a few scattered clouds.
Photo of the Green River near the same location taken by Carol Hunter on May 29, 2020.
A black-and-white photograph depicts a winding river cutting through a dry, rugged landscape with sparse vegetation. Mountains rise in the background. The caption reads, "Escalante's Crossing of Green River, six miles north of Jensen, Utah, near the upper end of thick grove of trees.”
Green River Crossing north of Jensen, Utah. In this place there are six large black cottonwoods grown in pairs attached to one another and are nearest the river.
Black and white image showing a serene landscape with two vehicles traveling on a road beside a river, with a mountainous backdrop. The river is lined with trees, and the horizon showcases a range of rolling mountains. The text "GREEN RIVER FORD" is at the bottom.
Green River Ford. After camping in a large cottonwood grove on the east bank of Green River (opposite the mouth of Brush Creek) September 13-15, 1776, the expedition traveled a mile northward—upstream—to reach the old Ute ford well known to the Indian guide Silvestre. The company forded the river on September 16, 1776. The ford is located approximately six miles north of Jensen, Utah, on the south edge of Dinosaur National Monument—shown in background. This view is from a small monument on the hill west of the ford and highway. At this site the Green River (called Rio San Buenaventura by Escalante) is flowing to the right (southward). Cottonwood trees on the opposite bank are not those in which the expedition camped before fording the stream. W. L. Rusho Photo, 1964.
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