Rico in Dolores County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Valley Rico Cemetery
Rico, Colorado
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025
1. Valley Rico Cemetery Marker
The need for a cemetery in Rico came about with the murder of Julius “Frenchy” Burgen on August 31, 1879, by George “The Kid” McGoldric.
Rico’s earliest recorded mine fatality was on February 3, 1881, when Fred Herman was overcome by bad air in the Blue Bird tunnel of the Pittsburg Mine.
Marshal George A. Smith was the first lawman killed in the line of duty. On June 3, 1882, he was shot while trying to apprehend Tom Wall and Charlie “Trinidad” Cummings for stealing saddles from Schueler and Bang’s store.
For further information visit the Rico Museum, the Rico Library or: www.valleyricocemetery.com/history
Historical research by: Janice Fleming, Mary Inez Towne and Sharon Baer VanDusen
Thanks to The Rico Center and many volunteers for making this possible.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is August 31, 1879.
Location. 37° 40.737′ N, 108° 2.066′ W. Marker is in Rico, Colorado, in Dolores County. It is on State Highway 145 0.8 miles south of West King Street, on
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Western Slope. It is also in the American Mountain West, in Colorado Plateau, and at the Four Corners. 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 Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rico Town Hall (approx. one mile away); Colorado Centennial Project (approx. one mile away); The Atlantic Cable Mine (approx. 1.1 miles away); Rico, Colorado (approx. 1.1 miles away); Keeping the Trains Running (approx. 11.4 miles away); Winter on a Mountain Pass (approx. 11.6 miles away); Sheep and Cattle Grazing in the High Country (approx. 11.6 miles away); Early History and Railroad Development (approx. 11.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map
2. Marker detail: Honor Guard provided by the American Legion, VFW and DAV
Also see . . .
1. History of the Valley Rico Cemetery (valleyricocemetery.com/history).
Excerpt: The tragic death of Julius “Frenchy” Burgen on August 31, 1879, at the hands of George “The Kid” McGoldric, marked a turning point for the fledgling town of Rico, Colorado (exact burial location unknown). Frenchy’s funeral exposed the lack of a designated cemetery in Rico and sparked a community-wide effort to establish a permanent burial ground.(Submitted on September 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
The completion of the cemetery provided Rico with a much-needed symbol of hope and healing. It served as a place where families could mourn their loved ones in peace and honor their memory. The cemetery also became a gathering place for the community, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. Today, the cemetery stands as a reminder of Rico’s rich history and the sacrifices made by those who came before. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of a town that has faced adversity and emerged stronger.
2. Rico, Colorado (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Rico was settled(Submitted on September 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)in 1879 as a silver mining center in the Pioneer Mining District; today it functions as a historic and tourism site. The population was 288 at the 2020 census. “Rico” is a name derived from Spanish meaning "rich".Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 20253. Valley Rico Cemetery & MarkerLooking northwest from near Colorado Highway 145.
Rico was a water stop on the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, the storied narrow-gauge line running from Ridgway to Durango until the railroad was abandoned in 1952. The water tank used to refill the tenders of the steam locomotives still stands on the west side of the former grade.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
