Near Walsenburg in Huerfano County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Huerfano Butte

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 18, 2013

1. Huerfano Butte Marker

Inscription. The isolated cone-shaped butte, east of this point and 10 miles north of Walsenburg, was named El Huerfano, “The Orphan,” by early Spaniards. The name appeared in Spanish records as early as 1818. This butte was near the Trappers’ Trail from Taos. Passed by Fremont and Gunnison on their railroad surveys of 1853. The river and county also now bear the name. Altitude 6,150 feet.

Erected 1951 by The State Historical Society of Colorado from the Mrs. J. N. Hall Foundation and by Huerfano Group of the Colorado Mountain Club on June 8. “This tablet is the property of the State of Colorado”. (Marker Number 79.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Colorado - History Colorado series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.

Location. 37° 44.937′ N, 104° 50.031′ W. Marker is near Walsenburg, Colorado, in Huerfano County. Marker is on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (Interstate 25), on the right when traveling north. It is at a well-signed pull-off on the northbound lanes between exits 59 (Butte Road) and 60 (Huerfano Road) north of Walsenburg. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Walsenburg CO 81089, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers

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are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Huerfano Butte (a few steps from this marker); Greenhorn Creek Bridge (approx. 12.9 miles away).

Regarding Huerfano Butte. Wikipedia entry: Huerfano Butte, elevation 6,158 feet (1,877 m), is an isolated volcanic neck. A remanent of an ancient volcano, it was named Huerfano (orphan) by early Spanish explorers of southern Colorado. Its name is pronounced locally as WAR-fuh-no.

Also see . . . Huerfano Butte. Entry in Igneous Petrology of the Spanish Peaks by Brian Penn at www.spanishpeakscolorado.com with photographs. “Huerfano Butte is a plug of alkali basalt. The butte was cut by two subsequent intrusions of monzonite and alkali-lamprophyre. The monzonite intrusion is visible ... as the light-colored rock cutting through the middle of the plug and extending through the notch and over the top. The notch is present because the monzonite easily weathers compared to the very hard alkali-basalt.” (Submitted on April 26, 2013.)

The Marker with Huerfano Butte In the Distance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 18, 2013

2. The Marker with Huerfano Butte In the Distance

Telephoto Shot of Huerfano Butte from I-25 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 18, 2013

3. Telephoto Shot of Huerfano Butte from I-25

The Rocky Mountains are on the other side of the highway behind the photographer. Patches of snow from the previous day‘s storm are on the ground and bushes.

Nearby Colorado Historical Society Huerfano Butte Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 23, 2016

4. Nearby Colorado Historical Society Huerfano Butte Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,359 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 26, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on March 18, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.