Residing in the southwest I have been fortunate enough to be able to take the time and explore areas out my back door that other families have saved years for just to be able to afford the opportunity. I have been raised with an appreciation of the outdoors and have always taken the time to understand and explore the world around me. Since my early years I have had the opportunity to share the experiences of National Parks, Wilderness Areas, State Parks and other areas of historical interest. I have had the opportunity to explore the archaeological ruins of the Native American cultures that ... full info
Abandon cave history As a river runner and tour operator in the Moab area, I have known about and visited this site since the early 1970's. This cavern is a good example of a popular trend in the 1960's/ '70's to create homes in the soft sandstone cliffs by blasting caverns in the rock and then removing the rubble to create living space. The owner of this property got a good start on his project only to discover that the site was on BLM land and they didn't approve of his actions in destroying public land. They politely asked hi to cease and desist his operation. Other examples of caves used for habitation, or in this case chicken ranching can be found along Kane Creek Road. The caves along the road, of which there are several, are now used to store equipment. A.C. Ekker, originally from Green River and who later took up residence Hanksville, in order to run his father's cattle operation built a beautiful cave/home dwelling in the sandstone, just on the outskirts of the town.
Undoubtedly, the most successful cave dwellers are the polygamist families living at Hatch Rock. Originally founded by Robert Foster in 1979, the community - mostly members related to Foster, but supplemented by a few transplants from Colorado City live in several caves/homes dynamited from the red sandstone. The community calls the locale Rockland and visitors are welcome.
On a dirt side road, off of Hwy. 191 that leads to Hatch Rock, are several other families, not associated with Rockland who have also built homes into the sandstone cliffs.
Richard Jones
non-member comment
Abandon cave history
As a river runner and tour operator in the Moab area, I have known about and visited this site since the early 1970's. This cavern is a good example of a popular trend in the 1960's/ '70's to create homes in the soft sandstone cliffs by blasting caverns in the rock and then removing the rubble to create living space. The owner of this property got a good start on his project only to discover that the site was on BLM land and they didn't approve of his actions in destroying public land. They politely asked hi to cease and desist his operation. Other examples of caves used for habitation, or in this case chicken ranching can be found along Kane Creek Road. The caves along the road, of which there are several, are now used to store equipment. A.C. Ekker, originally from Green River and who later took up residence Hanksville, in order to run his father's cattle operation built a beautiful cave/home dwelling in the sandstone, just on the outskirts of the town. Undoubtedly, the most successful cave dwellers are the polygamist families living at Hatch Rock. Originally founded by Robert Foster in 1979, the community - mostly members related to Foster, but supplemented by a few transplants from Colorado City live in several caves/homes dynamited from the red sandstone. The community calls the locale Rockland and visitors are welcome. On a dirt side road, off of Hwy. 191 that leads to Hatch Rock, are several other families, not associated with Rockland who have also built homes into the sandstone cliffs.