This location served as a travelers’ resting place for two centuries. Beginning in 1829, horse teams on the Old Spanish Trail between Santa Fe and California stopped here for abundant spring water and shade. After the settlement of Mormon pioneers, stagecoaches traveling between Moab and Monticello stayed here overnight. Early in the 20th century, the Christensen family of Monticello homesteaded 80 acres here and blasted out a small cave in the rock where cowboys camped as they drove their stock toward the Colorado River. In 1945, brothers Leo and Albert Christensen expanded the cave and opened “American’s most unique dining room.” The Hole N” The Rock Diner was a watering hole for uranium miners and car tourists until 1955. The Christensens continued to excavate the cave until it reached its current size of 5000 square feet.