Burlington in Kit Carson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The Early People

Burlington Colorado

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 2, 2024

1. The Early People Marker

Inscription.
When the early settlers arrived in eastern Colorado around the middle of the nineteenth century, they found Native Americans occupying the plains The eastern plains were home to the Arapahoe and Cheyenne tribes occasional visits from northern Crow and Sioux tribes. The Pawnee bordered to the east and the Kiowa and Comanche tribes to the southeast.

The Native American way of life was much different than the society we live in today. Native Americans did not live in fixed towns. They traveled in villages composed of teepees that were moved from place to place following the buffalo herds. Buffalo was the principal source of their food, shelter, and clothing and was also held in reverence as an integral part of religious ceremonies.

Women did most of the work as they provided the meals, made clothing, tended to the children and played a primary role in moving camp. The men devoted themselves to hunting and war with other tribes.

Native American tribes were pushed out of eastern Colorado by farmers and ranchers migrating from eastern states. The Northern Arapahoe relocated to Wind River

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Wyoming, and some of the Northern Cheyenne settled in Montana. The Southern Cheyenne and Southern Arapahoe moved on to Oklahoma. Although Native Americans no longer inhabit the eastern plains of Colorado, they leave behind their proud heritage with names that will forever conjure up images of their people. Local landmarks such as the Arikaree River and the counties of Cheyenne, Yuma, and Kiowa will forever remind us of those who came before us.

Erected by City of Burlington, Burlington Rotary Club, Great Outdoors Colorado, Colorado Health Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list.

Location. 39° 17.729′ N, 102° 16.428′ W. Marker is in Burlington, Colorado, in Kit Carson County. It is on Ben Street west of Mike Lounge Drive, on the left when traveling west. Located in Parmer Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Burlington CO 80807, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 2, 2024

2. The Early People Marker

is in the Eastern Plains.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Our Community Welcomes You (a few steps from this marker); The Open Range (a few steps from this marker); What's In a Name (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dust Bowl Years (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); As the Dust Settled (about 400 feet away); A Farming Revolution (about 500 feet away); Farm Equipment - Then and Now (about 600 feet away); What Lies Beneath (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burlington.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 162 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 18, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.