Site of South Pueblo's Hanging Tree

Site of South Pueblo's Hanging Tree. June 25, 1883 . 338 Rings . First Growth 1545. , "Old Monarch," cut down in South Pueblo on June 25, 1883, was 388 years old, had a circumference of 29 feet and was 88 feet tall. It proudly served as the oldest tree landmark in what later became the State of Colorado and stood as a testament to the fertility of the Arkansas River Valley soil. , Stories tell of 14 men that were hanged from one of the limbs at different times. The first white woman that died in Colorado is said to have been buried under its sprawling branches., Though recorded history cannot validate these colorful claims, the magnificent Cottonwood eventually became know as the "Hanging Tree." The day came, however, when the value of the tree in the middle of the main business street was challenged. In spite of 366 protesting citizens, the South Pueblo Council ordered it to be cut down. Men hired by the Council approached the tree and informed the gathering crowd that they were only there to trim the branches. This, of course, was the news the protesters wanted to hear and soon dispersed. As soon as the crowd had gone, the Council sent orders to girdle the tree. Once that task was done all hope of saving "Old Monarch" was lost.