5166 - An oral history with Clarence Rogers, 1975 July 18

File

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The contents of the Samuel Moon Monument Valley Oral History Collection consist of oral histories, transcripts, and records documenting the history of Monument Valley and Four Corners area. The oral histories are from those who lived in this area between the 1900s-1970s and pertain to Goulding’s trading post (one of the most well-known trading posts of the 20th century)and its owner/operator Harry Goulding, the Navajo tribe, sheep ranching, local tourism, uranium mining, and the western movies made in the valley.

Dates

1975 July 18

Extent

1 Cassettes

1 Files (Verbatim (25 pages) and edited (22 pages) transcripts)

2 digital objects (Abstract and digitized copy of cassette recordings)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

In the interview, Rogers talks about the Navajo known as Jim Mike, his relationship with Jim Mike, recounts the story of how Jim Mike discovered Rainbow Bridge and he was the one who took John Wetherill of the Oljeto trading post to the location, making Wetherill the first white man to ride under the Rainbow Bridge, discusses how another young Navajo man claimed to have found Rainbow Bridge and for many years was credited with its discovery, and tells how Rogers worked to get Jim Mike officially recognized as the true discoverer of Rainbow Bridge and their interactions with the press and the National Park Service.