OURAY

NAME: Ouray COUNTY: Uintah ROADS: 2WD GRID: 6 CLIMATE: Mild winters; hot summers BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring to fall

COMMENTS: Travel about 14 miles west of vernal to the intersection of us 40 and state rt. 88 travel south about 17 miles and you'll find it on the north bank of the green river. Town is on the uintah and ouray reservation and one should be advised to contact them about applicable laws before any visit. There are still a handfull of families living in the area. REMAINS: A few original cabins can be seen

First settled by white men in the early 1830's when Antoine Robidoux establish a trading post on the confluance of the Green and Duchesne rivers. This French fur trader, however, moved his operations further north within a few years. The area has still been in use over later years and later became known as Ft. Kit Carson. A few adobe foundations can still be seen on th south side of the Green. In 1881, an Indian agency was established there for Uncompahgre band of the Utes. It was named for the Ute cheif Ouray, which means 'arrow' in the Ute tongue. In 1886 Ft. Thornburg was established there in response to the Meeker massacre in Colorado. This fort was moved to present day Vernal not even a year later. Town prospered until about the late 1920's after which the population slowly dwindled. Postal serviced ceased in December of 1964 Submitted by: Paul J Tabbee(Snake)

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