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Rainbow Bridge National Monument Collection, 1907-1988

NAU.MS.239

Historical Note

The Rainbow Bridge National Monument is located in San Juan County in southeastern Utah. The monument consists of 160 acres and adjoins the shores of Lake Powell. The world's largest natural bridge, Rainbow Bridge stands 290 feet tall and spans a distance of 275 feet. Its name is derived from the Navajo word "Nonnezoshi," which roughly translates to "rainbow of stone." The base of the bridge is composed of Kayenta Formation rock while the bridge's arch is Navajo Sandstone. The bridge was formed when the earth's geological forces caused an uplifting precipitated subsequent erosion of the soft sandstone deposits of the Colorado River and created several unusual geologic features such as the Grand Canyon and Rainbow Bridge. Rainbow Bridge became a National Monument by a proclamation from President William Taft on May 30, 1910.

The first publicized sighting of the Rainbow Bridge occurred on August 14, 1909. On this date, two parties of Anglo explorers and researchers led by Professor Byron Cummings of the University of Utah, and government land office surveyor William B. Douglass 'discovered' the bridge. The discovery of the Rainbow Bridge is a topic of much controversy. Though the two groups of explorers were united as one party on the date of the discovery, both party leaders, Cummings and Douglass, claimed the discovery for their own group. While this argument has never been resolved, historical evidence suggests that Cummings and Douglass were arguing a moot point. Both parties were led by Native American guides who already knew of the bridge's existence. Mike Jim, a Paiute Indian , led Douglass' expedition while Nasja Begay, also a Paiute Indian, guided the Cummings party. Begay has traditionally been recognized as the first to "see" the bridge, and in 1927 a bronze plague was installed at the base of Rainbow Bridge in his honor.

There remains much debate and controversy as to the true discoverer of Rainbow Bridge. Despite the official recognition given to Begay and the 1909 explorers, there are claims that the bridge was visited by Anglo miners in the 1880's and 1890's. These claims are substantiated by reports and descriptions of Anglo names and dates carved in the base of the Bridge at the time of the Cummings-Douglass discovery. Additionally, personal statements and affidavits given by local miners and explorers note visits to the bridge prior to the official 1909 discovery. Finally, Rainbow Bridge was undoubtedly seen and visited by Native Americans for hundreds of years before the arrival of Cummings and Douglass. This is evidenced by the presence of altars and religious manifestations at Rainbow Bridge at the time of its 1909 'discovery,' and by its traditional religious significance to local Navajo, Paiute, and Hopi Indians.

When the United States Congress and the Bureau of Reclamation began planning the construction of Glen Canyon Dam as an addition to the Colorado River Storage Project in 1958, the government initiated a controversy over the effects of water encroachment upon the bridge. The controversy centered around whether or not water from the resulting Lake Powell would submerge and weaken the foundation of the bridge. The controversy reached a boiling point in the early 1970's when the Lake Powell backed up into Bridge Canyon and threatened to reach the bridge itself. A lawsuit was filed by the Friends of the Earth in 1970 to stop the water's encroachment, and the resulting litigation eventually progressed all the way to the Supreme Court. The Friends of the Earth suit was finally rejected by the Supreme Court on the grounds that the waters of the Lake Powell did not pose a threat to the structural or aesthetic integrity of Rainbow Bridge.

Due to its isolated location and rugged surroundings, Rainbow Bridge National Monument was sparsely visited in its early years of existence. Today, the bridge is a common tourist venue because of its easy accessibility from the waters of nearby Lake Powell.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists primarily of publications, memorandum, and correspondence regarding different aspects of the bridge and its history. This collection was arranged based on topical categories. Within these topical categories. Within these topical categories, the documents were arranged chronologically in order to promote historical context and continuity.

This collection is important because it provides information on one of America's most unusual geologic features. In addition to providing a reference source for the history of Rainbow Bridge, this collection provides insight in to the exploration of the American West and its attendant issues. These issues include the presence and role of Native Americans in both historical and pre-historical times, the nature and issues of exploration and discovery in the southwest, and the role of government agencies such as the Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of the Interior in developing and managing the natural resources of the American West.

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Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs,legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for Northern Arizona University, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

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Rainbow Bridge National Monument Collection., NAU.MS.239, Cline Library. Special Collections and Archives Dept.

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