Expedition Island
Encyclopedia
Expedition Island is a park
in Green River, Wyoming
, that marks the area where Major John Wesley Powell
started an expedition down the Green River
and Colorado River
in 1871. The park is also believed to mark where Major Powell started a similar expedition down the two rivers in 1869.
These two expeditions are generally considered to have covered the last large land area in the continental United States left unexplored by European-Americans.
Expedition Island was designated a National Historic Landmark
on November 24, 1968.
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
in Green River, Wyoming
Green River, Wyoming
Green River is a city in and the county seat of Sweetwater County, Wyoming, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 11,808 at the 2000 census....
, that marks the area where Major John Wesley Powell
John Wesley Powell
John Wesley Powell was a U.S. soldier, geologist, explorer of the American West, and director of major scientific and cultural institutions...
started an expedition down the Green River
Green River (Utah)
The Green River, located in the western United States, is the chief tributary of the Colorado River. The watershed of the river, known as the Green River Basin, covers parts of Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. The Green River is long, beginning in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming and flowing...
and Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
in 1871. The park is also believed to mark where Major Powell started a similar expedition down the two rivers in 1869.
These two expeditions are generally considered to have covered the last large land area in the continental United States left unexplored by European-Americans.
Expedition Island was designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
on November 24, 1968.