Welcome to the second oldest national forest in the United States. President Benjamin Harrison set aside the White River Timber Land Reserve in 1891, in a bold step towards protecting forests on the American frontier. Wide open and wild, . . . — — Map (db m163892) HM
Following the Meeker Massacre, Gen. Wesley Merritt established at this site his “Camp on White River,” 1879. After withdrawal of the garrison in August, 1883, the town of Meeker was founded by the following pioneers: George S. Allsebrook, Charles . . . — — Map (db m163871) HM
The Meeker area is rich in history — that of the Ute Indians, who were the first people in the area, and that of the white settlers who began homesteading, ranching, and farming here in the late 1800s. The county seat of Rio Blanco County, . . . — — Map (db m163889) HM
This Native Granite Stoneerected by the citizens of Rio Blanco County, Colorado 1927 and dedicated to the memory of Nathan C. Meeker United States Indian Agentwho, with his government employees, was massacred by the Ute Indians . . . — — Map (db m163886) HM
”My people roamed all over this country… over these mountain passes. They gathered to hunt buffalo and went back to the lower country when winter was approaching.” ~Eddie Box Senior Southern Ute Tribe At the dawn of history, . . . — — Map (db m163893) HM
They called themselves the Nuche, a Ute word that means “the people.” For generations they lived in “the shining mountains” of Colorado, southern Wyoming, northern New Mexico, and western Utah. The Ute comprised . . . — — Map (db m163896) HM
Discovered White River (which they called the San Clemente) and crossed it near here on Sept. 9, 1776. Seeking a route from Santa Fe to California, these Spanish explorers were the first white men to examine much of western Colorado. This . . . — — Map (db m163890) HM