Littleton in Arapahoe County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Good, The Bad, and the Hungry

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2021

1. The Good, The Bad, and the Hungry Marker

Inscription. Colorado Cannibal

Aside from his conviction for cannibalism, Alfred Packer was a fairly commonplace frontier character: He came West to find his fortune but found trouble instead. Packer, like most, brought his woes upon himself. A self-styled "wilderness guide," he foolishly led five travelers into the snowbound San Juan Mountains in February 1874. They were never seen again — except Packer, who reappeared that spring, suspiciously fat and happy, with his companions' possessions in tow. He eventually admitted that he'd survived the winter by eating his cohorts' remains, though insisting he'd never killed anyone for that purpose. A jury thought otherwise and sentenced him to forty years. Pardoned in 1901 after eighteen years' imprisonment, Packer spent his last years living near Littleton and was buried in the town cemetery. He is remembered today as a western worst-case scenario — the ultimate greenhorn, venturing way beyond his limitations.

Long's Expedition

Near this spot in July 1820, Maj. Stephen Long decided to abandon his quest for the source of the Platte River. He and his nineteen-man party had followed the stream over five-hundred miles across the plains — which Long famously labeled the Great American Desert — but at Waterton Canyon, about ten miles

Paid Advertisement

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

Click or scan to see
this page online

southwest of here, the major turned south, toward the Arkansas River. His expedition, the first U.S.-sponsored team to explore present-day Denver, produced a range of maps, sketches, and animal and plant observations, introducing Americans to this part of the West. Major Long put his name atop a high Front Range summit, while his botanist, Edwin James, climbed another — the first recorded ascent of Pikes Peak. Though Long judged this landscape "wholly unfit for cultivation," it would eventually rank among the West's most productive farming regions. But in the long run, periodic drought cycles may prove the Major correct.

Erected 2003 by Colorado Historical Society; and Colorado Department of Transportation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Colorado - History Colorado series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1874.

Location. 39° 36.728′ N, 105° 0.928′ W. Marker is in Littleton, Colorado, in Arapahoe County. Marker can be reached from South Prince Street south of West Alamo Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in the RTD Downtown Littleton Station parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5777 South Prince Street, Littleton CO 80120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

Marker detail: Alfred Packer image. Click for full size.

Colorado Historical Society

2. Marker detail: Alfred Packer

Locals knew Alfred Packer as a pleasant old man who made an honest living selling autographed photos and enjoyed telling stories of the "Old West.'' He died in 1907 of apparent liver and stomach troubles. His last words were: "I am not guilty of the charge." [Colorado Historical Society]

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rough and Ready (here, next to this marker); Public Transportation (here, next to this marker); Denver & Rio Grande Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Littleton, Colorado Post Office (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Arapahoe County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); J. D. Hill General Store (approx. ¼ mile away); Weston Masonic Lodge (approx. ¼ mile away); A Memorial to the Pioneers (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Littleton.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Alfred Griner Packer

Also see . . .
1. Alfred Packer – Colorado Cannibal. Alfred Griner Packer was a prospector and guide in the Rocky Mountains during the 1870s who confessed to cannibalism during the winter of 1874. He passed away in Deer Creek, Colorado on April 23, 1907, reputedly of “Dementia – trouble & worry” at the age of 65. He was buried in Littleton, Colorado with military honors and his grave is marked with a veteran’s tombstone listing his original regiment in 1862. (Submitted on July 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Stephen Long’s Expedition of the Great Plains. An important expedition was sent up the Missouri River in 1819 under Major Stephen H. Long

Marker detail: Waterton Canyon image. Click for full size.

Denver Public Library, Western History Collection

3. Marker detail: Waterton Canyon

View of the chasm through which the Platte issues from the Rocky Mountains. Samuel Seymour, artist for Long's 1819-20 expedition, sketched many different views in the West, including this one of Waterton Canyon, about ten miles southwest of here.

of the U.S. Topographical Engineers, by order of the War Department for the purpose of thoroughly examining the country, conciliating the Indians and otherwise benefiting the government. The party wintered near Council Bluffs, Iowa and on June 6th of the following year Major Long, having returned from Washington, sent the boat back to St. Louis and started at the head of a party to explore the valleys of the Platte, Arkansas and Red Rivers. (Submitted on July 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Major Stephen H. Long image. Click for full size.

Colorado Historical Society

4. Marker detail: Major Stephen H. Long

Maj. Stephen H. Long described lands east of the Rockies as the "Great American Desert," reporting to his superiors in 1821 that this region would serve as a "barrier to prevent too great an extension of our population westward."

Marker detail: Long Expedition Map, 1820 image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: Long Expedition Map, 1820

Route through Colorado of Maj. Stephen Long's 1819-1820 expedition.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2021

6. The Good, The Bad, and the Hungry Marker

(RTD Downtown Littleton Station parking lot in background)

Alfred Griner Packer Gravesite image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2021

7. Alfred Griner Packer Gravesite

Packer is buried in nearby Littleton Cemetery, (½ mile south on South Prince Street), with his U.S. Army Veteran’s headstone.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 18, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 19, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.