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

In Behalf of the Light

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 8, 2018

1. In Behalf of the Light Marker

Inscription.

In Behalf of the Light. . As Father Escalante so appropriately recorded in his diary, the Dominguez Escalante expedition was made “in behalf of the Light." Dominguez and Escalante were Franciscan priests, and their religion strongly influenced the course of their journey. The Franciscan order, founded in the eleventh century by St. Francis of Assisi, was based on the three vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. The first Franciscans to the New World came with Columbus and for four centuries the order was instrumental in its settlement. The Franciscans' mission to spread Christianity and care for people led them into hardship and danger on the many frontiers of the Spanish Empire. , Father Dominguez was thirty-six in 1776, and the leader of all Franciscan missions in New Mexico. Born in Mexico, he was charged in 1775 with the responsibility of making a thorough investigation of the New Mexico missions. His report proved him to be a firm and scrupulous administrator. Twenty-six-year-old Father Escalante was a native of Spain and the pastor of the Zuni Mission near the borders of the New Mexico frontier. Both men were meticulous in detail and possessed an unfailing trust and faith in God. , Twice during their epic journey, the padres cast lots to determine the direction they would take, believing that God would influence the drawing and point them in the right direction. In the treacherous canyon of the Dolores River, the lot drawn indicated that they take an easterly course toward the San Miguel River in central Utah as winter approached, the lot drawn directed them to abandon their route to California and return to Santa Fe. , Dominguez and Escalante drew deeply on their faith and inspired their companions, especially during the difficult times of the journey. Equally important, their quest "in behalf of the Light" made for peaceful relationships with the Indian peoples they encountered. Truly, they manifested the spirit of the Franciscan greeting: "May God Give You Peace." . This historical marker was erected in 1976 by the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission, the town of Montrose, and the State Historical Society of Colorado.. It is Near Montrose in Montrose County Colorado

As Father Escalante so appropriately recorded in his diary, the Dominguez Escalante expedition was made “in behalf of the Light." Dominguez and Escalante were Franciscan priests, and their religion strongly influenced the course of their journey. The Franciscan order, founded in the eleventh century by St. Francis of Assisi, was based on the three vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. The first Franciscans to the New World came with Columbus and for four centuries the order was instrumental in its settlement. The Franciscans' mission to spread Christianity and care for people led them into hardship and danger on the many frontiers of the Spanish Empire.

Father Dominguez was thirty-six in 1776, and the leader of all Franciscan missions in New Mexico. Born in Mexico, he was charged in 1775 with the responsibility of making a thorough investigation of the New Mexico missions. His report proved him to be a firm and scrupulous administrator. Twenty-six-year-old Father Escalante was a native of Spain and the pastor of the Zuni Mission near the borders of the New Mexico frontier. Both men were meticulous in detail

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

and possessed an unfailing trust and faith in God.

Twice during their epic journey, the padres cast lots to determine the direction they would take, believing that God would influence the drawing and point them in the right direction. In the treacherous canyon of the Dolores River, the lot drawn indicated that they take an easterly course toward the San Miguel River in central Utah as winter approached, the lot drawn directed them to abandon their route to California and return to Santa Fe.

Dominguez and Escalante drew deeply on their faith and inspired their companions, especially during the difficult times of the journey. Equally important, their quest "in behalf of the Light" made for peaceful relationships with the Indian peoples they encountered. Truly, they manifested the spirit of the Franciscan greeting: "May God Give You Peace."

Erected 1976 by the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission, the town of Montrose, and the State Historical Society of Colorado.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Exploration • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.

Location. 38° 26.13′ N, 107° 52.052′ W. Marker is near Montrose, Colorado, in Montrose County. Marker is on Chipeta

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 8, 2018

2. In Behalf of the Light Marker

Road north of U.S. 550, on the right when traveling north. Located in area of the Ute Indian Museum and Conquistador Memorial. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17253 Chipeta Road, Montrose CO 81403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. So Bold, So Beautiful a Land (here, next to this marker); Building An Empire: The Spanish Frontier (here, next to this marker); Pageant in the Wilderness (a few steps from this marker); The Ute Way of Life (a few steps from this marker); The Dominguez-Escalante Expedition / Dominguez-Escalante Country (a few steps from this marker); The Utes / Uncompahgre River Country / Ouray (1833-1880) / Chipeta (1843-1924) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Hangin' Tree (approx. 0.2 miles away); Early Irrigation in the Uncompahgre Valley (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montrose.

In Behalf of the Light Marker is on the right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 8, 2018

3. In Behalf of the Light Marker is on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 113 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.