Near Chivington in Kiowa County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Why?
Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2010
1. Why? Marker
For years, Cheyenne and Arapaho traveled and hunted the Great Plains in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. But in 1858, gold fever struck in Colorado Territory. Miners rushed in and tens of thousands of settlers followed. Competition for land became great. Conflict was inevitable.
Skirmishes and raids erupted along overland routes, and at Indian camps and isolated ranches. When U.S. soldiers killed Cheyenne Chief Lean Bear, warriors clamored for revenge. The murder of rancher Nathan Hungate and his family sparked widespread fear and panic in Denver and throughout the Territory.
Governor Evans envisioned statehood for Colorado Territory and promised protection for its citizens. He directed friendly Arapaho and Cheyenne to go to the U.S. Indian Agent at Fort Lyon, "who will show them a place of safety." But for hostile Indians, he issued a call for all Colorado citizens to "pursue, kill, and destroy" them. Only then, he proclaimed, "can we secure a permanent and lasting peace."
"All citizens of Colorado...go in pursuit, kill and destroy all hostile Indians that infest the Plains..."
Territorial Governor John Evans
Erected by National
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 38° 32.962′ N, 102° 30.709′ W. Marker was near Chivington, Colorado, in Kiowa County. It was on County Road W 1.3 miles east of County Road 54. Marker is located in Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site; the above directions are to the intersection of County Road W and the driveway to the park visitor center. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Eads CO 81036, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the Eastern Plains. It was also in the American Mountain West, on the Southern Plains, and specifically on the High Plains. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2010
2. Entrance to Sand Creek Massacre NHS
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Cheyenne and Arapaho Village at Sand Creek (here, next to this marker); A Chiefs Village (a few steps from this marker); Sacred Memory (within shouting distance of this marker); Dawn November 29, 1864 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Lyon Reservation (approx. Ό mile away); Sand Creek as Camp Site (approx. Ό mile away); Troops Approach the Village (approx. 0.4 miles away); Attack and Pursuit (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chivington.
Other markers no longer nearby. Pleas for Peace (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Returned to Sand Creek (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Remains (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Testimony (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Healing (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Attack
Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2010
3. Site of Sand Creek Massacre
More about this marker. The marker is along the trail to the monument and overlook; it is a 0.5 mile walk from the visitor center parking lot to the marker.
Marker includes a photo of the Indian encampment at Fort Lyon and a photo of Territorial Governor John Evans.
Also see . . .
1. Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. Official National Park Service website. (Submitted on March 11, 2016.)
2. Sand Creek Massacre - Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on March 11, 2016.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 890 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on September 7, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on March 11, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on February 19, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
