5 Forgotten Grand Junction, Colorado Stories Not Found in Textbooks

There is much more than red rocks and peaches in the Grand Valley. Behind many of our well-known landmarks are tales of vineyard pioneers, canyon hermits, and clever settlers who helped develop Colorado’s Western Slope.

No matter if you have just rolled into town or have lived here for decades, keep scrolling to see five historical facts that show Grand Junction in a whole new light, and might score you a few extra local trivia points at the next happy hour.

Grand Junction’s Founder Was Also Colorado’s First Winemaker

George Addison Crawford, who helped found the city of Grand Junction in 1882, was also responsible for planting one of the very first vineyards in Palisade, Colorado. According to the Colorado Encyclopedia, Crawford was not simply a town booster; he was a visionary who saw the potential in the Grand Valley. He believed grapes could thrive in the arid high desert, and it turned out he was right. Today, the Grand Valley AVA carries on the same legacy that Crawford started with a handful of vines.

The Name “Grand Junction” Beat Out Some Pretty Bad Alternatives

Read More: The History Behind Grand Junction's Name And Growth

Before the founders and the residents decided on the name Grand Junction, the community was almost called West Denver. Before that, a portion of the Grand Valley north of North Avenue (part of the 81501 zip code) was known as Ute. Settlers traveling through the valley called it “Bellyache Flats” when they learned the hard way about drinking untreated water out of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers. Imagine if our driver’s license said Bellyache Flats…

A Canyon-dwelling Hermit Helped Create the Colorado National Monument

The National Park Service says John Otto lived in a tent among the cliffs of the monument, earning a salary of $1 per month as the park custodian. He was given the job following President Taft's signing of a proclamation to create the Colorado National Monument in 1911. John Otto built many of the trails we hike today with his own hands. He was someone who truly loved the Grand Valley. He even worked on the Grand Mesa to help build "Otto's Wall," a 3-mile section of trail (now part of the Palisade Plunge) that connected Shirttail Point with Lands End Road. The wall features a nearly 900-foot drop in less than a mile.

The Grand Valley Bloomed Thanks to Early Irrigation Pioneers

Read More: The Forgotten Colorado Canal That Made Modern Grand Junction

The Grand Valley received an incredible $1.5 million appropriation from Congress in 1909 for the purpose of building the Grand Valley Government Highline Canal. CSU Grand Valley Irrigation History says it transformed the desert into orchard country, paving the way for peaches, apples, and vineyards. The cost of the canal in 2025 would be equal to a $38 million appropriation.

Grand Junction’s Airport Has Deep Roots in Local History

Grand Junction’s Regional Airport got its start in 1930, and by 1942, it was renamed to honor a community leader and newspaper publisher, Walter Walker. The airstrip has become a transportation hub connecting the Western Slope with the rest of the region. Today, expansion work continues at Walker Field. Tap the link below to learn more.

Read More: New Improvements Coming To Grand Junction Airport With FAA Grant