Downtown in Pueblo in Pueblo County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Artist for Charles Autobees - Dustin Payne C/A
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Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 11, 2025
1. The Artist for Charles Autobees - Dustin Payne C/A Marker
Charles Autobees (1812-1882) was born in St. Louis, Missouri territory. His father was French and Native American and his mother part Black and Native American. His father died when he was three years old. He had a younger brother known as Tom Tobin. At an early age, Charles was a trapper on the upper Missouri River. In the early 1840'S, Charles traveled south to Taos to work for Simeon Turley at his distillery north of Taos in Rio Hondo. Charles delivered whiskey locally in the Taos and Santa Fe area. At the beginning of the Pueblo Trading Post, Charles brought whiskey in 10-gallon barrels via pack mules from Rio Hondo. Liquor became the biggest and most profitable trade item at the post. Charles had five Native American wives and a Mexican wife Serafina Avila. In 1847, Turley's Distillery was destroyed. In 1853, Charles moved to the Huerfano Valley under a Mexican land grant to farm and trade corn at the Pueblo post. Charles was a member of the burial party after the Pueblo post attack in 1854. Charles spoke seven languages and exhibited Intelligence, honesty, and courage in all his endeavors and lived in the Huerfano Valley until his death. He is buried at the St. Vrain cemetery.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Arkansas River Valley and in the Front Range. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comancherνa and also the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Artist for Marcelino Baca - Huberto Maestas (within shouting distance of this marker); The Artist for Teresita Sandoval & Deon Duncan (within shouting distance of this marker); Pueblo Trading Post (within shouting distance of this marker); Teresita Sandoval (within shouting distance of this marker); Matthew Kinkead (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Evocation (about 400 feet away); Fort Pueblo (about 500 feet away); Borderland / Pueblo / Railroads / Pueblo Country (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pueblo.
More about this marker. The Walk of Legends runs from Central Main Street to North Union Avenue.
Also see . . .
1. The Pueblo Chieftain article on the sculptures at the Walk of Legends. 3 pioneers are immortalized in the new Walk of Legends Park. Here's who they were (Submitted on August 18, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Charles Autobees Trapper, Trader and Mountain Man (includes b/w photo) - Legends of America
Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 11, 2025
2. Charles Autobees (1812-1882) - (Sculpture by Dustin Payne)
This sculpture of Charles Autobees was created by Wyoming-based artist Dustin Payne. It features Autobees standing alongside a mule carrying barrels of whiskey in a wagon. Soon after El Pueblo was established in 1842, Autobees and his mules brought 10-gallon barrels of whiskey to the post. Liquor proved to be profitable at El Pueblo.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 143 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 18, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
