Josie Bassett Morris Ranch Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Morris, Josie Bassett, Ranch Complex
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Josie Morris Cabin, October 2010
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Location | Dinosaur National Monument Uintah County, Utah United States |
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| Area | 80 acres (32 ha) |
| Built by | Morris, Josie Bassett |
| MPS | Dinosaur National Monument MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003394 |
| Added to NRHP | December 19, 1986 |
The Josie Bassett Morris Ranch Complex is a group of old buildings located inside Dinosaur National Monument in northeastern Uintah County, Utah, United States. This special place is recognized as a historic site on the National Register of Historic Places. It was once the home of Josie Bassett Morris, a determined rancher who lived there until 1963.
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About Josie Morris's Ranch
The ranch was first started by the Bassett family in the 1870s in a place called Browns Park, Colorado. Josie grew up there and learned a lot about ranching. Her family knew many interesting people, including some famous figures of the Old West.
Who Was Josie Bassett Morris?
Josie Bassett Morris was born in Arkansas. Her family moved west around 1877 when she was about three years old. They were quite well-off and educated for homesteaders, which was unusual for people settling new land. They built their ranch in the Brown's Park area, close to the border of Colorado and Wyoming.
Josie was a very independent person. She lived in her cabin for over fifty years, showing great resilience. She was known for her strong spirit and resourcefulness. She passed away in 1964 at the age of 90.
Josie's Homestead at Cub Creek
In 1914, Josie decided to start her own homestead. She chose a spot at Cub Creek, near Split Mountain in Utah. This was about 40 miles from her family's original ranch. Friends like Fred McKnight and the Chew family helped her set up her new home.
Her son, Crawford, and his wife lived there for a while. Josie's grandchildren also came to visit, making the ranch a family gathering place.
Life at the Ranch Complex
The main house at the ranch began as a small, square cabin made of logs. Later, a kitchen was added to make it bigger. Around the main house, there were other important buildings. These included a chicken house for her birds, an outhouse, and a root cellar.
The root cellar was a cool, underground storage area. It was used to keep food fresh, like vegetables and fruits. There were also sheds for storage and a small barn for animals. A bridge helped people get across the creek to reach the root cellar.
Recognizing the Ranch's History
The Josie Morris Ranch Complex was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 19, 1986. This means it is a special place that is important to American history. Today, the National Park Service helps take care of the site. They have displays there that teach visitors about Josie Morris and what life was like on her ranch.
