Moab, Utah
| Moab, Utah | |
|---|---|
| City | |
Southbound Main Street (U.S. 191) (2012)
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|
 Location in Grand County and the state of Utah. |
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| Coordinates: 38°34′21″N 109°32′59″W / 38.57250°N 109.54972°WCoordinates: 38°34′21″N 109°32′59″W / 38.57250°N 109.54972°W | |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | Utah |
| County | Grand |
| Settled | 1878 |
| Incorporated | 1902 |
| Named for | Moab |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor/city council |
| • Mayor | David Sakrison |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.6 sq mi (9.4 km2) |
| • Land | 3.6 sq mi (9.4 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,026 ft (1,227 m) |
| Population (2013) | |
| • Total | 5,130 |
| • Density | 1,400/sq mi (550/km2) |
| Time zone | Mountain (MST) (UTC-7) |
| • Summer (DST) | MDT (UTC-6) |
| ZIP code | 84532 |
| Area code(s) | 435 |
| FIPS code | 49-50700 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1430389 |
| Website | moabcity.state.ut.us |
Moab is a city on the southern edge of Grand County in eastern Utah in the western United States. The population was 5,046 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat and largest city in Grand County. Moab attracts a large number of tourists every year, mostly visitors to the nearby Arches and Canyonlands national parks. The town is a popular base for mountain bikers who ride the extensive network of trails including Slickrock Trail, and off-roaders who come for the annual Moab Jeep Safari.
The Biblical name Moab refers to an area of land located on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Some historians believe the city in Utah came to use this name because of William Pierce, the first postmaster, believing that the biblical Moab and this part of Utah were both "the far country". However, others believe the name has Paiute origins, referring to the word "moapa" meaning mosquito. Some of the area's early residents attempted to change the city's name because in the Christian Bible, Moabites are demeaned as incestuous and idolatrous. One petition in 1890 had 59 signatures and requested a name change to Vina. Another effort attempted to change the name to Uvadalia. Both attempts failed.
During the period between 1829 and the early 1850s, the area around what is now Moab served as the Colorado River crossing along the Old Spanish Trail. Latter-day Saint settlers attempted to establish a trading fort at the river crossing called "Elk Mountain Mission" in April 1855 to trade with travellers attempting to cross the river. Forty men were called on this mission. There were repeated Indian attacks, including one on September 23, 1855 in which James Hunt, companion to Peter Stubbs, was shot and killed by a Native American. After this last attack, the fort was abandoned. A new round of settlers established a permanent settlement in 1878. Moab was incorporated as a town on December 20, 1902.
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