Two large rocks at this place had fallen together in such a way that one could crawl under for shelter.

This was on the old trail leading from the Mormon settlements to the Moki country, travelled about once a year by Jacob Hamblin and a party on a trading expedition to the other side of the river.

Somebody on one of these trips had taken refuge beneath this rock, and on departing had written, in a facetious mood, along the top with a piece of charcoal, "Rock House Hotel." Naturally, in referring to the spring it was called, by the very few who knew it, Rock House Spring, and then the spring where the House Rock was, or House Rock Spring.

From this came House Rock Valley, and the name was soon a fixture, and went on our maps.

And thus easily are names established in a new country.