Wetherill
A History of Discovery
A History of Discovery 1598-2017
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 first entered by Richard Wetherill his brother-in-law Charlie Mason and Acowitz, a Ute Tribal member in December of 1888.
It was Richard Wetherill and his brothers John and Al in 1893 that first found the “Baskemakers” and recognized them as a predecessor to the Cliff Dwellers. Their 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 an earlier culture.
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
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
Entered 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 entered Betatakin an immense cave with a large ruin. Both Betatakin and Keet Seel were in same general area.
Wetherill Coreless Engine, Made by the Robert Wetherill and Company
Shaffner Photo Albums
Photo albums that span more than 55 years of photography by Jim Wetherill Shaffner. The photo albums document Jim Shaffner and Marie Garcia Shaffner's activities within that 55 year time frame.