Near Las Animas in Bent County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Welcome to Boggsville
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 27, 2018
1. Welcome to Boggsville Marker
Inscription.
Welcome to Boggsville. . The Arkansas River Valley is a historical frontier in both the American and European sense. Americans view the frontier as unsettled or a sparsely settled area lands on the edge of "civilization." To Europeans, frontiers are boundaries or borders between nations or ethnic groups. Here at Boggsville, Hispanics, Anglo Americans, and American Indians coexisted with each other and the natural environment. In this high, dry country, nature dictated the activities people could carry out successfully. Farming in the traditional Anglo American sense proved all but impossible, instead grazing dominated land uses. , A Place Where Colorado Ranching Began , Boggsville holds a special place in Colorado's agricultural heritage. Local pioneers, such as the Bents and Hispanic herdsmen from New Mexico, recognized the potential of its pastures. By the middle of the 19th century, herds of grazing cattle and sheep, along with irrigated farm fields, could be seen along the banks of the Purgatoire River. When Thomas Boggs and John W. Prowers came here to settle, the bountiful forage was already well known. The success of Boggs and Prowers encouraged even more ranchers to come here to raise stock. , After the Gold Rush , The Pike's Peak Gold Rush of 1859 drew thousands of would be millionaires west. Despite their dreams, only a handful ever found gold. Most returned to the "states," or found other ways to make a living. Many turned to occupations they had known before coming west, such as farming and raising livestock. Within ten years, herds of cattle and to a lesser degree sheep ranged all across eastern Colorado. The millions of acres of pasture on government land that were free for use, combined with high prices for cattle led to a "beef bonanza" for ranchers in the 1870s and 1880s.
The Arkansas River Valley is a historical frontier in both the American and European sense. Americans view the frontier as unsettled or a sparsely settled area lands on the edge of "civilization." To Europeans, frontiers are boundaries or borders between nations or ethnic groups. Here at Boggsville, Hispanics, Anglo Americans, and American Indians coexisted with each other and the natural environment. In this high, dry country, nature dictated the activities people could carry out successfully. Farming in the traditional Anglo American sense proved all but impossible, instead grazing dominated land uses.
A Place Where Colorado Ranching Began
Boggsville holds a special place in Colorado's agricultural heritage. Local pioneers, such as the Bents and Hispanic herdsmen from New Mexico, recognized the potential of its pastures. By the middle of the 19th century, herds of grazing cattle and sheep, along with irrigated farm fields, could be seen along the banks of the Purgatoire River. When Thomas Boggs and John W. Prowers came here to settle, the bountiful forage was already well known. The success of Boggs and Prowers encouraged even more ranchers to come here to raise stock.
After the Gold Rush
The Pike's Peak Gold Rush of 1859 drew thousands of would be millionaires west. Despite their dreams, only a handful ever found gold. Most returned to the "states," or found other ways to make a living. Many turned to occupations they had known before coming west, such as farming and raising livestock. Within ten years, herds of cattle and to a lesser degree sheep ranged all across
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eastern Colorado. The millions of acres of pasture on government land that were free for use, combined with high prices for cattle led to a "beef bonanza" for ranchers in the 1870s and 1880s.
Erected by Pioneer Historical Society of Bent County.
Location. 38° 2.577′ N, 103° 12.589′ W. Marker is near Las Animas, Colorado, in Bent County. Marker can be reached from Colorado Route 101, one mile south of County Road 10.75, on the left when traveling south. Located within the Boggsville Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 28120 CO-101, Las Animas CO 81054, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. From Trail to Town (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boggsville (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to Bent County (approx. 1.6 miles away); Santa Fe Trail (approx. 3.6 miles away).
2. Marker is seen in distance, as well as some buildings of Boggsville.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 27, 2018
3. Entrance sign to Boggsville.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 27, 2018
4. Original location of Kit Carson and his wife's graves at Boggsville.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 27, 2018
5. A State of Colorado historical marker about Boggsville near site.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 27, 2018
6. Buildings of the Boggsville Historic Site.
View of Boggs House on left with the Prowers House just visible to the right of it under the trees.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 23, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.