History of Grand Junction

Pre 1800's
Native Americans occupied the area for thousands of years. In 1881 white settlers arrived.
Geology: In ancient times oceans and the deserts covered Western Colorado. West of Grand Junction, the red sandstone has weathered into the canyons and elaborate formations of the Colorado National Monument. East of Grand Junction is the flat topped Grand Mesas. Volcanic flows had covered that area. The surrounding terrain eroded away, leaving the Grand Mesa with its 10,000 elevation, forests and lakes.
Paleontology: Brachiosaurus and a large Apatosaurus are some of the many dinosaur discoveries. All of which are in the Museum of Western Colorado. Mammal fossils of mammoth and bisons where also found.
Indians: Fremont Indians were here about 700 to 1200 A.D. Rock art was etched or painted on cliffs and boulders. Found on a Mesa County Ranch. Ouray was the chief indian of the Fremonts and his wife was named Chipeta.
1880's Population around 400
Agriculture: Experiments with many types of grains, vegetables and fruits were all successful. Everything grew well which helped restaurants and fruit stand open on Grand Junction's Main St.
Community: First structure in town in 1881 was the Town Company office on 2nd and Ute. R.D. Mobley was the first postmaster.
Education: 1882 the first school was opened and all grades were taught in one room.
People: George A Crawford headed the Town Company and is considered "The Father of Grand Junction".
Transportation: Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reached town in November 1882. Grand Junction became a major division point of the railroad, with repair and maintenance shops.
1900's Grand Junctions had evolved. It was a small town with advantages normally only found in much larger communities. 72.6% gain in population over the previous decade.
Agriculture: selling fruit became a large business.
People: Frank Dean was a photographer, he moved to Grand Junction permanently and began a 40 year career of photographing people, events, buildings and landscapes.
Education: Emerson Grade School was built at 9th and Ute in 1903.
Recreation: First held "Peach Days" festival was held at 7th and Patterson in 1887.
Transportation: Electrically powered street car system was inaugurated May 27, 1909.
1910's 121.4 % population growth
Agriculture: One of the largest irrigation projects in the nation, the Highline Project was completed in 1918. There are only three roller dams in the country, and this is the largest.
Recreation: 1911 Colorado National Monument was established.
Transportation: October 1912 27 motorists drove 9 cars from Grand Junction to Salt Lake City and they made if there in eleven days.
1920's Calm and progressive for Grand Junction. A lot of construction including new courthouse, Avalon Theatre, and many schools.
Education: 41 freshmen enrolled in Mesa State Junior College in 1925.
1950's Population was 14,504, a 16.4% growth
Business: Wholesale firms in Grand Junction supplied business in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. In Colorado, the wholesale businesses in Grand Junction were second only to Denver.
Community: Uranium mining and milling became a large industry on the Colorado Plateau. Grand Junction was home base for as many as 35 mining companies, including area offices of major mining corporations.
Culture: Mesa County Arts Center Board was incorporated in 1953. Latter in 1960 the building opened on 7th and Orchard.
Recreation: The National Junior College Baseball Tourney, nicknamed JUCO, moved here in 1958. It has wide local supports.
Transportation: Denver and Rio Grande had the sleek California Zephyr with Vista Dome cars, gleaming in stainless steel. It ran from Chicago to San Francisco via Grand Junction.
1960's Population reached 18,694
Community: The city was awarded All American City recognition by Look magazine for the innovative and successful downtown shopping park.
Education: Mesa College dedicated the Walter Walker Fine Arts Center on November 1969.
Recreation: 1966 Powderhorn was established by clearing new runs, built the first of four chair lifts and a lodge.
Transportation: Interstate 70 reached Grand Junction in the 1960s.
1970's Population of 20,170
Community: Alpine Bank opened their new building on 5th and Rood.
Transportation: The first balloon rally here was November 25, 1978.
1980's Population had grown to 28,144
The centennial of Grand Junction was a community wide celebration in 1982.
Agriculture: The conditions that ensure prime fruit in the Grand Valley, also produce premium grapes. Palisade started many vineyards and wineries were established.
Business: Grand Junction boomed as regional oil headquarters. A sudden drop in oil prices halted this, starting May 2, 1982. Boom turned to bust ,and the economy of this city and this whole area suffered.
Transportation: A new Walker Field air terminal and parking areas were opened December 15, 1982.
1990's Population crept up to 29,034
Community: St. Mary's Hospital and Medical Center was founded in 1896. It has grown to be a major Colorado hospital which serves a wide area of Western Colorado and Easter Utah.
Education: Tilman Bishop Unified Technical Education Center dedicated in 1992, was enlarged in 1996. The school, affiliated with Mesa State College and the Mesa County School District, offers vocational education in many fields.
Beyond 2000 Population over 100,000. The Census Bureau classifies this as a Metropolitan Area.
Community: Mesa County courts built a new Justice Center which was inaugurated in 2001. It is at West Main and Spruce Streets and is connected to the City/County Jail and Sheriff's Department by a secure tunnel.
Culture: A new building was opened for the Museum of Western Colorado in May, 2000.
Education: Mesa State College has more that 5,000 students and a wide range of majors are available.
Transportation: Public transportation had lapsed in Grand Junction. A new bus system, which also reaches to nearby communities, was inaugurated in February, 2000.
check out: http://www.museumofwesternco.com