The Dominguez-Escalante Expedition Education Project (DEEEP) has been working the last few years on its efforts to celebrate history. The Nucla-based nonprofit tracks the trail of the Franciscan friars who made their way from Santa Fe in hopes of reaching the California missions. According to records, the expedition traveled through the West End Aug. 21–23, 1776.
DEEEP is web-based, offers online learning tools but also tactile objects too. Now housed with the Rimrocker Historical Society on Main Street in Nucla at the museum, the project is reaching thousands online throughout the U.S. Most recently, on July 10, DEEEP coordinator Carol Hunter told the Forum the website had 20,693 visitors.
And, as the Dominguez-Escalante Expedition did travel through the West End, there’s now an auto tour in the works, so that those interested can visit the actual geographic locations by vehicle.
DEEEP’S executive director said for the 1776 trip, the friars left Santa Fe on July 29, and then they traveled 189 miles to reach the area that is now the first stop on DEEEP’s auto tour. Hunter added that while Dominguez was the leader, Escalante kept the journal. The route of the auto tour, which is 22 miles long, follows as closely as possible the suggested route described in Escalante's journal.
Now, a DEEEP banner will be located on a pull-out beside State Highway 90, a half-mile from the junction of highways 141 and 90. The highway stakes will mark the location of each of the nine stops.
“DEEEP will soon be installing a large banner and highway stakes, indicating the location of a public auto tour,” Hunter told the Forum last week.
The ongoing project will include a brochure in English, Spanish and large print. These will be available at the West End Visitor Center and the Rimrocker Museum.
Hunter said since there is no cell service along the route, the banner will include information for the full auto tour on DEEEP’s website: www.deeepcolorado.com. When completed, the website will include English and Spanish audio and text, plus ASL (American Sign Language) and drone footage.
In the future, tactile models are planned too. These will be available at the museum, West End Visitor Center and West End Public Schools.
A separate tour is planned in partnership with the school district.
Hunter said DEEEP would like to thank the Nucla-Naturita Telephone Company for the new emergency phone they have added along the route. The phone will have access only to the Montrose County Sheriff's Office and will be located near Stop 8, which is the Piñon bridge.
Additionally, Britt Hoff, of HnH Sign, has completed the design for the banner and signage. The Nucla Co-op is donating a livestock panel, for the purpose of displaying the banner.
Hunter said members of the DEEEP organization and its partners are very grateful to Jane Thompson and Sharon Johannsen, of the Rimrocker Historical Society, for their dedication to the local history.
“The auto tour is dedicated to the very special ladies of the Rimrocker Museum, whose dedication and service have helped preserve and share the history of the West End for future generations,” Hunter said.
