New Horizons on the Colorado River

Main Page Discovering The River New Horizons On The River Redefining The River: Lake Powell


Hovering over the Colorado River, an Air Force helicopter carries Senator Carl T. Hayden on a tour of the future Glen Canyon Dam site.
1956
Carl T. Hayden Photographs CTH 1962


Cliff Dwellers Lodge Surveyors for the Glen Canyon Dam located their headquarters at the lodge.
1957
Photographer: Herb McLaughlinThe Greene Family Collection ACC# 98-1937 3/8


Aerial photographs of Wahweap trailer park with the dirt airstrip. Original cabins were moved from Jacob's Lake on the Kaibab Mountains and others were constructed. When the Bureau of Reclamation did not find water Ruth (Greene) Baker "witches" a well then the BR drills other good wells in the same "line".
1955-56
Photographer: Bill Greene and U.S, Bureau of Reclamation
The Greene Family Collection ACC# 96-1771 2/19


Aerial view of Lake Powell identifying Rainbow Bridge, Aztec Canyon and the Rainbow Dock. A. H. "Bill" Greene, Jr. photographed the area in an attempt to identify the dam site and potential site for the family concession.
1960s
The Greene Family Collection ACC# 96-1771 2/7


Art Greene, Earl Johnson, Director of the Park Service and A. H. "Bill" Greene, Jr. with artist rendition of Wahweap Lodge and Marina standing on the lodge site. The land in the background is under water today.
1950s
Union Pacific Railroad Photograph
The Greene Family Collection ACC# 96-1798 1/4


Governor of Arizona, Paul Fannin and Art Greene on the last Colorado River trip.
1962
The Greene Family Collection ACC# 97-1798 1/6


Request for copyright of the name of the Greene families' boats. All the boats were identified as Tseh Na-ni-ah-go Atin' with roman numerals added for each additional boat.


Itinerary of the Last Trip Down the Colorado from Hite, Utah to the Glen Canyon Dam. Signed by the participants, including Arizona's Governor Paul J. Fannin and Utah's Governor George D. Clyde.


"I have been accused of "politicking" to gain an end but if the word means manual labor, sweat, disappointments or taking advantage of the right opportunities along with the earnest desire to strive for something better to offer my fellow men, then I guess I've politicked." Art Greene

Construction of the Glen Canyon Dam changed the Colorado River and the Greene family's future. A plan to continue the family business as a concession on the new Lake Powell was a vision and a dream with many obstacles to overcome. The Greene's created Canyon Tours, Inc. and in 1953 purchased a grazing lease of six school sections of land owned by Arizona. This purchase gave their commercial lease application "preferential" status. The lease was obtained and construction began for the cabins, café, and airstrip that would be known as Wahweap Trailer Village.

In early May, 1956 the Bureau of Reclamation asked the Greene Family to give the federal government all 4,480 acres of the family's leased land. Art Greene wrote to Senators Barry Goldwater (his friend and fellow river runner) and Carl Hayden seeking political intervention. Secretary of Interior Fred Seaton issued instructions that allowed the Greene Family to continue operation of their businesses after 3 sections of their original leased land including the airstrip, were relinquished to the federal government. After nearly seventeen years in the recreation/ tourism business, in 1959 the National Park Service formally awarded to the Greene's the concession for operating all recreational facilities on the southern part of Lake Powell.

While land negotiations continued for six years, the Greene family operated businesses at several sites. Cliff Dwellers Lodge now served as headquarters for the Glen Canyon Surveyors under the management of Ruth (Greene) and Vern Baker, while Grace (Greene), Mel Schoppman and Irene (Greene) and Earl Johnson managed the Wahweap Trailer Village. Scalers who climbed the canyon walls and placed the dynamite in strategic places lived in the Wahweap Trailer Village during the work with the dam builders. Through contacts with Mel Schoppman, Hollywood studio staff enjoyed the Greene Family's hospitality during the filming of Planet of the Apes, Bandelaro, and The Greatest Story Ever Told.

Bill Greene, his wife Evelyn and daughter Judi moved to Phoenix in 1956, where Bill co-founded the Deer Valley Airport while overseeing construction of the Wahweap Lodge. Lake Powell Motel and Restaurant opened in 1957 on US Route 89A and served as a refuge for celebrities and royalty until the Wahweap Lodge and Marina was completed.

The air strip that the family built at Wahweap served the area's small aircraft until the city of Page was founded in 1957. From 1956- 1963 short river trips were available from Lee's Ferry to the Glen Canyon Dam site.



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