A Brief History of Grand Junction
Grand Junction’s townsite was staked in September 1881, following the forced removal of Ute people from the region. Its name reflects the meeting of the Gunnison River and the Grand River, renamed the Colorado in 1921. Residents voted to incorporate in June 1882, and incorporation was completed that July. Railroad construction strengthened the settlement’s role as a transportation and commercial center. When Mesa County was created in 1883, Grand Junction became its county seat. These connections helped the city develop into a regional hub serving the farms, towns and industries of western Colorado.
Historical Sources
City of Grand Junction charter: Official Data — founding and incorporation