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Come Visit Josie Morris' Homestead In Dinosaur National Monument

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By NPT Staff - June 10th, 2017

As this artist's rendering shows, Josie Bassett Morris' cabin was simple/NPS

Next week, you're invited to go back to the early 20th century to see the log cabin that Josie Bassett Morris called home for more than 50 years on a landscape now part of Dinosaur National Monument in Utah.

As a child in Brown’s Park, Josie contributed her part of the household and ranch chores. Once these duties were complete, young Josie was free to play in the surrounding wilderness with her four siblings. The children grew up having an intimacy with and dependence on the natural environment, forming values based on hard work and resourcefulness. Josie’s family hosted many guests in their home, including some outlaws like Butch Cassidy, which fostered in Josie a strong sense of hospitality, generosity and community...

... With no money to buy property, Josie decided in 1913 to homestead in Cub Creek. Here she built her own cabin and lived for over 50 years. She shared her home with her son Crawford and his wife for a time; grandchildren spent summers working and playing alongside Josie.

Monument staff, volunteers, and community partners will host an open house at the homestead from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17. Josie’s cabin is located at the end of Cub Creek Road in the monument. Partners for this event include the Western Heritage Museum, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge.

Tours of the Morris cabin and homestead will be offered on June 17/NPS

Tours of the cabin and homestead, scavenger hunts, games, storytelling, and talks by local historians will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guided hikes will depart from the parking lot at the following times to explore the landscape around the cabin:

  • 10:15 a.m. Hiking “Home” into Hog Canyon
  • 12:15 p.m. Tour of the Homestead

Parking is limited near the cabin, so carpool if possible or be prepared to park along the Cub Creek Road and walk to the cabin. While the activities are free, the monument’s regular entrance fees apply.

Park ranger Barbara Tallman will present an evening program on Josie Bassett Morris in the Green River Campground at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, to lead into Saturday’s events. For more information, call 435-781-7700 or visit nps.gov/dino.

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