Wetherill
A History of Discovery
A History of Discovery 1598-2013
As you browse through this Web site, you will find many interesting stories and fascinating people. The Wetherill family were responsible for some of the most important archeological discoveries in the Southwest. Another branch of the family were major contributors to the industrial revolution in America in the 19th century.
Mesa Verde National Park near Mancos, Colorado has some of the largest and best preserved Ancestral Puebloan ruins in the United States. One of these, Cliff Palace was discovered by Richard Wetherill his brother-in-law Charlie Mason and Acowitz, a Ute Tribal member in December of 1888.
It was Richard in 1893 that first coined the term “Baskemakers” and recognized them as a predecessor to the Cliff Dwellers. His discovery of a burial and massacre in cave 7 in Southern Utah and the use of stratigraphy in analysis of the excavation led to the discovery of a different race of people.
Rainbow Natural Bridge
It was John Wetherill in 1909 that led the discovery expedition to Rainbow Bridge, the world's largest natural stone span. John led an expedition of two parties, University of Utah archaeologists Byron Cummings and U. S. government surveyor William Boone Douglass. There is substantial evidence that John and Louisa Wetherill actually saw the bridge several months before the expedition.
Because of the families future activities it resulted in the formation of three National Parks, two National Monuments and the discovery of a new culture and collections of artifacts which were distributed to museums of world wide fame.
Other creative members of the family were Robert
and
Richard Wetherill
of Chester, Pennsylvania who were two of the most
influential industrialists in the Eastern United States in
the late 19th century.
Rulon
Wetherill Collection
Robert Wetherill Home Chester,
Pennsylvania
Within the Wetherill family you will find some of
considerable wealth, prestige and
contributors to the development of this country.
Several of the allied families arrived with Juan de Onate in
New Mexico in 1598. Many descendants of these families
still live in the same communities established during that
time.
John Wetherill
1866 - 1944
Keet Seel, Navajo National Monument
Discovered by Richard Wetherill in 1895 while on an expedition in the Northern area of Monument Valley. Fourteen years later Richard's brother, John Wetherill and Byron Cummings discovered Betatakin in an immense cave in the same area.
