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History And Hikes Part Of Homestead Open House In Dinosaur National Monument

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Published Date

August 11, 2016

Ranger Barb Tallman will present a program on Josie Bassett Morris at Dinosaur National Monument/NPS

More than a century ago, a woman named Josie Bassett Morris found a spot along Cub Creek in eastern Utah and made it her home, living off the land and running a ranch with no electricity, plumbing, or neighbors for more than 50 years.

Now, that land is in Dinosaur National Monument, and the park will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at the pioneer’s historic homestead at the end of Cub Creek Road, in the southwest portion of the monument.

Tours of the cabin, scavenger hunts, games, storytelling and talks by local historians will occur throughout the day. Those wanting to explore the landscape around the cabin can take guided hikes of the homestead at 10:15 a.m., of Box Canyon at 11:30 a.m., and of Hog Canyon at 12:30 p.m. Parking is limited near the cabin, so carpool if possible and be prepared to park along Cub Creek Road and walk to the cabin. While the activities are free, the monument’s regular entrance fees apply.

In addition, park ranger Barb Tallman will present an evening program on Morris in the Green River Campground at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, to lead into Saturday’s events.

A Park Service brochure describes Morris’ life as such:

“Raised on the frontier, Josie lived into the modern era of electronics. For friends and acquaintances in the 1950s, Josie was a link to a world past. During Prohibition in the 1920s and into the 1930s, Josie brewed apricot brandy and chokecherry wine. After a lifetime of dressing in skirts, she switched to wearing pants in her later years. She was tried and acquitted twice for cattle rustling when she was in her 60s. At the age of 71, in an ambitious move to revive a profitable cattle business, she deeded her land away and lost all but the five acres where her cabin still stands. In December of 1963 the legendary Josie suffered a broken hip while in her cabin; she died of complications in May of 1964.”

Partners in this event include the Western Heritage Museum, Uintah County Library, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge.

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