Powell Memorial, Grand Canyon South Rim

The Powell Memorial, located on the south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, is a big, granite acknowledgment to the Colorado River's canyon section's first person to tackle its rapids back over a hundred years ago. Since its erection it has attracted visitors from across the country, and especially geologists and modern explorers like the man himself.

In 1920, the Powell Memorial was officially dedicated to the man who had first ridden the whitewaters of the Grand Canyon National Park's Colorado River. It has been many years, but it has attracted many a devout rafter to the south rim.

Made of granite, the memorial honors John Wesley Powell, who was not only a soldier, but a brave American explorer, renowned worldwide for his varied expeditions to the Colorado and Green rivers. He came from an English family and immigrated to America with his family, finally heading out across the Mississippi to fight in the American Civil War. After losing his arm in battle, he became a geology professor and given his incredible map making skills, he was appointed as the US Geological Survey's president. When he finally died, he was laid to rest in the Arlington Cemetery, a permanent hero. Since then his travels have become legendary.

Today, the memorial is a prime viewpoint in the park. People come by the thousands to see the views of the southern rim, its canyon depths and the raging Colorado River below. Most are Americans, some of the school children, who are all too familiar with the significance of this amazing Grand Canyon attraction.