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4 unusual facts about John Williams Gunnison


Goshen, New Hampshire

John Williams Gunnison, US Army officer and explorer of the American West

John Williams Gunnison

In Utah Territory, with Lieutenant E. G. Beckwith as assistant commander, Gunnison began the survey of a possible route, surveying areas across the Rocky Mountains via the Herfano River, through Cochetopa Pass, and by way of the present Gunnison and Green rivers to the Sevier River.

On May 3, 1853 he received orders to take charge of an expedition to survey a route for a Pacific railroad between the 38th and 39th parallels.

His journey took him through the Tomichi Valley in Colorado, where the town of Gunnison is named in his honor.



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