Quarry Visitor Center facts for kids

Quarry Visitor Center
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Quarry Visitor Center, March 2012
Location in Utah Show map of Utah Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Dinosaur National Monument, Utah United States
Architect	Anshen & Allen; Richard Hein
MPS	Dinosaur National Monument MRA
NRHP reference No.	86003401
Quick facts for kids Significant dates
Added to NRHP	December 19, 1986
Designated NHL	January 3, 2001

The Quarry Visitor Center is a special building located in Dinosaur National Monument in Utah. It was built to help people see and learn about amazing dinosaur fossils right where they were found. This building was part of a big plan called Mission 66 by the National Park Service to create modern buildings in US national parks. From 2006 to 2011, the center was closed because of problems with the ground. Parts of it were rebuilt to make it safe again.

Why the Center Was Built

The visitor center was built to attract more people to the monument. It also helped protect the area from ideas to flood it for a dam. The main idea was to show dinosaur fossils right where they were found.

Early Ideas for Displaying Fossils

The idea for a building to display fossils started in 1916. George Otis Smith, who led the United States Geological Survey, suggested showing the fossils. Local people, including Earl Douglass who found the dinosaur quarry, wanted a special shelter. They imagined a building with a skylight to see the bones.

Temporary Shelters and Designs

A temporary shelter was built in 1936 for the bones and the people digging them up. In 1937, a design was made that looked a lot like the building we see today. Many other designs followed, but no money was found to build them. In 1951, a new simple shelter was built. It was made of wood and metal, like the original idea from 1916.

A National Historic Landmark

The Quarry Visitor Center is very important. In 2001, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a place recognized for its special history and design.

Images for kids

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  Quarry Visitor Center, March 2012