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Grand Canyon
1868
FirstMention.com explores the history and origin
of common products and phrases
 
 
 
Did you know that Palo Duro Canyon in Texas is the second largest canyon in the United States?  Of course you didn't!  Who pays attention to #2?
 
The granddaddy of all canyons, in the US or anywhere else, is the Grand Canyon in Arizona.  It's nothing less than ginormous. 
 
Here's a shot of me and my boys on a recent visit (we left mom at home for some R&R).
 
But just when did the Grand Canyon receive its exalted title? 
 
The FirstMention I've found dates back to August 22, 1868 (or more precisely, Saturday Morning, August 22, 1868), as published, aptly enough, in The Weekly Arizona Miner.
 
 
 
 

 

Professor Powell, of course, is none other than famed geologist and explorer, (and very grizzled human being) John Wesely Powell.

 

You can see the full front page of The Weekly Arizona Miner with just a click...the Grand Canyon mention is near the bottom of the right-hand column.

 

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Our FirstMention research is carried out in many sources, including historical newspaper archives, online family history records, state archives, and old books.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Know of an earlier First Mention?   Drop me a line at david@firstmention.com