1992 Hull Pictorial Promotional View of Moab, Utah

Heart of the Canyonlands.

This is a rare c. 1992 Myke Hull pictorial promotional view of Moab, Utah. Although primarily meant to advertise local businesses, the view also celebrates local culture and attractions, particularly the area's stunning scenic beauty, including Arches National Park.

A Closer Look

This view is oriented roughly towards the north-northeast. U.S. Route 191 forms the main thoroughfare through Moab, while the Colorado River can be seen at the left and in the background. Gas stations, motels, boat, airplane, and jeep tours, and other businesses are illustrated, as are local institutions like Utah State University Moab (recently relocated to a larger, dedicated campus on the outskirts of the city). The La Sal Mountains appear prominently on the right, and some of the nearby arches and canyons are named, including Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock near the top, within Arches National Park. Local events and traditions, such as the annual Jeep Safari, are also referenced.

At the top, 'Negro Bill Canyon' (its previous title being much more offensive) is named for William Grandstaff (c. 1835 - 1901), a Black cowboy, prospector, and Union Army veteran who was one of the first non-indigenous people to settle in Moab (the canyon was recently renamed Grandstaff Canyon). In the foreground, reference is made to the area around Moab being a favorite of Hollywood directors seeking iconic scenery of the American West.

Historical Context

This view was most likely prepared in the early 1990s, a difficult time in the history of Moab. The city had grown with various mining and petroleum industries. In the 1950s, following the discovery of large nearby uranium deposits, which coincided with high demand for use in nuclear weapons and energy, Moab's population more than tripled between 1950 and 1960, and the city was dubbed the 'Uranium Capital of the World'. At the same time, Hollywood director John Ford and other stalwarts of the Western genre were drawn to Moab (through the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission) as a filming location, putting the nearby canyons and arches into the national consciousness. But the uranium boom years tapered off, and the end of the Cold War around 1990 led to a decline in Moab's population. Therefore, in the 1990s and early 2000s, the city underwent a period of renewal, reinventing itself as a tourist destination and gateway to nearby natural beauty, especially the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

Publication History and Census

This view was drawn by artist Myke Hull or Hall (who sketches himself in the lower left as a cigar-smoking, bike-riding, bearded, roving artist) of Vernal, Utah, for the company Poster Pro. (We have been unable to find any additional information on Myke Hull or Poster Pro.) It is undated, but from the style and businesses present, we estimate it to be from the early to mid-1990s. This rare map is unrecorded with no known institutional holdings.

Condition

Very good. Pinholes in corners.