John Wesley Powell River History MuseumJohn Wesley Powell River History MuseumImagine yourself on the banks of a river – the solitude of the open space, red sandstone walls towering above you, the peaceful silence of the canyon interrupted only by the subtle murmur of water passing by. This is the type of setting where the magic of Malcolm “Moki Mac” Ellingson came to life – where he introduced so many young men and women to the Green and Colorado Rivers, guided them through the stories of the canyons, and helped countless people fall in love with the Colorado Plateau.
A scout leader in the 1940s who was known for organizing adventurous trips, Boy Scouts adored Ellingson for his storytelling and his ability to capture their imagination around a campfire. He was a gifted singer who loved to entertain groups with his ukulele and baritone voice echoing off of canyon walls.
Ellingson was introduced to the river by Al Quist, an executive with the Boy Scouts who had started organizing trips in Glen Canyon. Quist invited Ellingson on one such trip with Bert Loper as their guide, and Ellingson was hooked. Mac served as the extroverted entertainer while Al excelled as the reserved organizer, and the two began running non-commercial trips through Glen Canyon under the Moki Mac Expeditions moniker. In 1969, with Quist’s sons ready to launch a commercial business, Ellingson became an early partner and they named the company after him.
His reputation as a gifted storyteller and his infatuation with the history of the Southwest, earned him his nickname and created the moniker for a business that became a staple on the Colorado Plateau for decades. “Moki” is derived from “moqui,” a word appropriated by Spanish explorers and incorrectly applied to the Hopi tribe. So often, Mac Ellingson’s stories revolved around the native tribes of the Colorado Plateau that people began calling him Moki Mac, and the name stuck.
In later years, Ellingson became a fixture in the town of Green River as a mid-century river rat. He was the first ranger at the Green River state park, and was well known in the river running community during the 1950s. Before the construction of Glen Canyon dam, his name appeared countless times in the visitor register at Music Temple, but more than any physical remains, his memory will live in the hearts of hundreds of people who saw Glen Canyon through his eyes and through his stories.
“Tonight on the river I’m dreaming,
Dreaming of what is to be
The moonlight a silvery path beaming
That lights your footsteps to me
I hear your soft voice on the night wind
The memories tears blinds my sight
But now that you’ve gone from me
Life can’t go on for me
My darling, I miss you tonight”
-Song by Malcolm “Moki Mac” Ellingson
Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Adults (18+)
Seniors (62+)
Children (7-17)
Family
$8
$6
$3
$25
Free admission for children under 7, museum members, and Green River residents.