Organizations

: U. S. Public Survey, United States General Land Office; An independent government agency that was created in 1812 to take over the United States Department of the Treasury's functions regarding the survey of public domain lands. Was placed under the Department of the Interior in 1849 and became the Bureau of Land Management in 1949.

: U.S. Bank (Fruita, Colorado); A branch of the nationwide U.S. Bank service located in Fruita, Colorado.

: Uintah Railway (Colorado and Utah); A railway line the Gilson Manufacturing Company created that ran from Crevasse, Colorado (later known as Mack, Colorado) to Black Dragon in order to mine natural asphalt from the Black Dragon uintaite vein. The railway was headquartered in Mack, Colorado. It’s final destination and turning point was Watson, Utah. It’s main mission was to haul gilsonite, but it also included one passenger car. According to Mesa County History Project interviewee Harry Sylvester Godby, the railroad served as the postal service for the route, delivering to mailboxes along the way. A passenger could board the train by waiting at one of the mailboxes until the train arrived. The Uintah also ran a stage line from Watson to Vernal. The railroad was directed by general manager M.W. Cooley, known as Captain Cooley. He resided in Mack and lived with his wife in the Mack Hotel. He was replaced by Major Hood. During the Depression, the company placed most of its workers on half-time, rather than firing them. When the Gilson Asphaltum Company, owner of the Uintah, found it was cheaper to truck gilsonite than it was to transport it by rail, it spelled the end of the Uintah. It ceased operations in 1939.

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