Early Years of Statehood
In the early years of statehood, silver strikes at Leadville and Aspen brought settlers and money into Colorado. Rail lines, smelters, and refineries were built, and large coalfields were opened up.
The High . . . — — Map (db m119387) HM
You have entered the land of the Río Bravo del Norte, the northernmost outpost of sixteenth century Spain. To the Spanish people, the San Luis Valley was a wild and unexplored place known only to the Native people. Amidst the beauty and towering . . . — — Map (db m71878) HM
Travel the route of these explorers and read Lt. Pike’s own words from his journal.
U.S. Army Expedition to explore the United States new southwest boundary with New Spain.
The men:
Lt. Zebulon M. Pike Dr. John H. Robinson Sgt. . . . — — Map (db m71882) HM
Isolated from the rest of Colorado, the San Luis Valley is often a forgotten place. For Native American tribes including the Utes, Apache, Navajos, and others, this Valley is a source of life - a place where humans and spirit enter and leave . . . — — Map (db m71875) HM
¡Bienvenidos! Caminantes!
Come! Take a walk with us. We know an old song, El Caminante, which tells of taking a long walk along the ancient roads. Like the first prehistoric inhabitants, you too are a ‘caminante’, or one who walks upon . . . — — Map (db m71877) HM
Travel the route of these explorers and read Lt. Pike’s own words from his journal.
U.S. Army Expedition to explore the United States new southwest boundary with New Spain.
The men:
Lt. Zebulon M. Pike Dr. John H. Robinson Sgt. . . . — — Map (db m160680) HM
29th January. Thursday. Finding the distance too great to attempt crossing immediately to the river, in a direct line, we marched obliquely to a copse of woods, which made down a considerable distance from the mountains. Distance 17 miles. Saw . . . — — Map (db m145393) HM
On January 27, 1807, U.S. Army Lt. Zebulon Pike and nine soldiers (affectionally called "Dam'd Set of Rascals" by Pike) crossed the Sangre de Cristo Mountains over Medano Pass to enter the territory of New Spain. On orders of his commander, Pike's . . . — — Map (db m160702) HM
¡Bienvenidos! Caminantes!
Come! Take a walk with us. We know an old song, El Caminante, which tells of taking a long walk along the ancient roads. Like the first prehistoric inhabitants, you too are a ‘caminante’, or one who walks upon . . . — — Map (db m160668) HM
On January 28, 1807, Lt. Zebulon Pike and his small band of tattered, hungry, foot-sore soldiers camped near here, having just crossed this snowy Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Under orders from General James Wilkinson to explore the southwestern . . . — — Map (db m71884) HM
Colorado CannibalAside from his conviction for cannibalism, Alfred Packer was a fairly commonplace frontier character: He came West to find his fortune but found trouble instead. Packer, like most, brought his woes upon himself. A . . . — — Map (db m177559) HM
"...On crossing the river [Purgatoire] we found a large well-filled ranch...which had only just been built by two enterprising Yankees.:"
–William Bell, railroad surveyor, 1867
Boggsville was established in the early . . . — — Map (db m120701) HM
Dominating the view to the west, the peaks of the Sawatch Range define the Continental Divide. Fifteen of the peaks in the Upper Arkansas River Valley are "fourteeners," boasting summits exceeding 14,000 feet.
Between the peaks, creeks flow . . . — — Map (db m158531) HM
Frustrated in their attempt to climb Pike’s Peak on November 27, 1806, Zebulon Pike and his party of 15 trudged on through South Park looking for the Red River, southern boundary of the Louisiana Purchase. After crossing Trout Creek Pass, the . . . — — Map (db m127876) HM
Marker A:Finding Our Roots Following ancient paths The history of Chaffee County as part of the United States began in 1803, with the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France. But human history was established here centuries . . . — — Map (db m116085) HM
Near here, on the banks of the Conejos River, Zebulon M. Pike built a log stockade in early February, 1807, and for the first time raised an American flag over what is now Colorado. Pike's trek of 1806-07 was the second official United States . . . — — Map (db m22701) HM
In 1844. Mathew Kinkead established the first American-owned cattle ranch tn the Rocky Mountains at the junction of the North and South Hardscrabble Creeks.
Even before Kinkead settled at the mouth of Hardscrabble Canyon, the canyon had been an . . . — — Map (db m153187) HM
Alexander Barclay
Like so many early Colorado settlers, Alexander Barclay came here in search of fortune but found something else entirely. The British-born corset-maker arrived in 1836 and spent the next nineteen years chasing his dream. He . . . — — Map (db m154830) HM
This tablet is the
Property of the State of Colorado
——
Here was the end of the famous Smoky Hill Trail
Immigrant and stage road extending
from the Missouri River to Denver.
Traversed by pioneers in 1858. . . . — — Map (db m4678) HM
In Honor of Christopher Columbus
(Cristoforo Colombo 1451-1506)
Italian Visionary and Great Navigator
This bold explorer was the first European to set foot on uncharted land, on a West Indies beach in 1492. His four voyages brought . . . — — Map (db m4743) HM
This memorial is the property of the State of Colorado ——— Commemorating the route of the Platte River Trail principal route of Colorado pioneers trail of Major S.H. Long in 1820 trappers’ trail of 1830s and 1840s the . . . — — Map (db m203494) HM
This tablet is the property of the State of Colorado ——— One mile north of this point Gold Was Discovered on June 22, 1850, by a party of California-bound Cherokees. The discovery was made by Louis Ralston, whose name . . . — — Map (db m203500) HM
Why East?
The purpose of Fathers Dominguez and Escalante's journey through this region in 1776 was to find a route to Spanish missions in Monterey. During the first 2½ weeks of the expedition, the Fathers' route took them to the northwest, . . . — — Map (db m160107) HM
This mountain, 14,110 feet above the sea and the most celebrated peak in America, is named for the explorer, Capt. Zubulon M. Pike, who saw it first in 1806. He attempted to climb it, failed and reported it unclimbable. Ascended in 1820 by Dr. . . . — — Map (db m4846) HM
In 1846 the unsettled area that is now Parker, Colorado, consisted of wild open plains, inhabited only by local Indian tribes and passing trappers and traders. The Crosby-Brown Company, otherwise known as the Mississippi Saints, and detachments of . . . — — Map (db m97420) HM
The Rocky Mountains are the longest chain of mountains in the world. They divide the United States watershed between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Colorado has 53 peaks over 14,000 feet. One inch on the Horizon equals about 38 miles. — — Map (db m4838) HM
In recognition of the notable career of
Zebulon Montgomery Pike,
· Soldier -- Explorer ·
The people of Colorado have placed this tablet on the summit of the great mountain first seen by Pike, November 15, 1806.
General Pike was born at . . . — — Map (db m4865) HM
The Ute Indians say they have always lived in the hills of Colorado. They referred to the Rocky Mountain’s easternmost peak as Sun Mountain because it vibrantly catches the early morning rays.
In the late 1700s, Spaniards referred to the peak as El . . . — — Map (db m45922) HM
The people of Colorado have placed here this granite rock in recognition of the notable career of Zebulon Montgomery Pike · Soldier-Explorer · and in commemoration of the One Hundredth anniversary of his historic expedition
to the southwest . . . — — Map (db m201078) HM
Cries of "gold!" lured countless
prospectors to Colorado's Rocky
Mountains in 1859. And while
miners went bust or hit pay dirt in
South Park, Leadville and later Cripple
Creek, Colorado City supplied the
means to continue the quest. At . . . — — Map (db m201136) HM
Travelers have been drawn to the towering rock formations of Garden of the Gods and the world famous Pikes Peak for centuries. The view from the summit inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write the lyrics for “America the Beautiful" in 1893.
Pikes . . . — — Map (db m135578) HM
The Ute Indians inhabited this region long before European explorers set foot on this continent. Other tribes like the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, and the Comanche moved through the area following herds of buffalo. The Utes left traces of their . . . — — Map (db m153077) HM
Travel the route of these explorers and read Lt. Pike's own words from his journal
U.S. Army Expedition to explore the United States' new southwest boundary with New Spain
The men
Lt. Zebulon M. Pike • Dr. John H. Robinson . . . — — Map (db m153315) HM
Lt. Zubulon M. Pike and his men, who traveled through this area in November and December 1806, were the first American explorers to view the Arkansas River Canyon now known as the Royal Gorge. A small party from the Maj. Stephen H. Long expedition . . . — — Map (db m34858) HM
To commemorate
the fact that
Zebulon Pike
built a block house
on the west bank of
Sand Creek near
the Arkansas River
and spent the winter
of 1806-07 there — — Map (db m232221) HM
Travel the route of these explorers and read Lt. Pike's own words from his journal
U.S. Army Expedition to explore the United States' new southwest boundary with New Spain
The men
Lt. Zebulon M. Pike • Dr. John H. Robinson . . . — — Map (db m153110) HM
Travel the route of these explorers and read Lt. Pike's own words from his journal
U.S. Army Expedition to explore the United States' new southwest boundary with New Spain
The men
Lt. Zebulon M. Pike • Dr. John H. Robinson . . . — — Map (db m153311) HM
Berthoud Pass Across the Continental Divide between South Platte and Colorado River drainages
Altitude 11,314 Feet
Discovered by Capt. E.L. Berthoud Colorado pioneer May 12, 1861. Surveyed by Berthoud and Jim Bridger July, 1861. Toll Road . . . — — Map (db m129889) HM
[Clockwise from top right]
Glenwood Canyon. In 1993 the Colorado Department of Transportation completed the final link of Interstate 70 through this remarkable canyon.
Glenwood's Natural Hot Springs have soothed and healed human ailments . . . — — Map (db m158790) HM
"If I get through it will be a triumph-
but I must try at least and try I shall."
John W. Gunnison, 1853
1853 Gunnison Railroad Expedition
In 1853 Capt. John W. Gunnison (1812-1853) led a survey party through the Central Rockies . . . — — Map (db m158720) HM
Thunder in the Black Canyon
The Black Canyon thwarted explorer John W. Gunnison, and years later railroad engineers declared it impassable. But General William Jackson Palmer, president of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway, believed his men . . . — — Map (db m158726) HM
The Ute Indians who inhabited what is now Colorado, Utah, and northern New Mexico were organized into small family bands. They migrated seasonally between the mountains and the deserts and foothills in search of game and wild plants and to . . . — — Map (db m177848) HM
The first Euro-Americans ventured into North Park in search of
beaver pelts. These pelts were used to satisfy a fashion craze for
beaver hats in Europe. By 1820, fur trappers were working along
the mountain streams in and around North Park. . . . — — Map (db m240738) HM
Rumors of the existence of precious metals in North Park
began when John C. Fremont's expedition passed through
the valley in 1844. However, it was nearly thirty years later
that prospecting took place in North Park. Canadian James
O. . . . — — Map (db m240743) HM
In June, 1859, while the first bridge was being built over Clear Creek, the famous reporter Horace Greeley passed through Golden. He attempted to cross Clear Creek from this point on the south bank. Horace embarked on his mule from the river bank . . . — — Map (db m49898) HM
Before the first bridge on this site was completed, travelers forded the river just east of this bridge. It became risky during the peak of the spring river flows due to the melting snows that filled the streams and rivers.
In June of 1859, . . . — — Map (db m50179) HM
Trails & Passes
• The Colorado Rocky Mountains, appearing as a formidable barrier, have trails over almost all 260 passes.
• A trail is a corridor between two places: usually a network of paths that meet at certain key points, such as river . . . — — Map (db m153407) HM
On August 10, 1776, there passed by here the expedition of Fathers Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante with eight companions. They were seeking a route to link the long established missions of New Mexico with Monterey, the . . . — — Map (db m71613) HM
In 1776, Franciscan Fathers Francisco Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante, and eight companions explored what is now western Colorado, Utah, and northern Arizona as men of peace.
In August 1776, Fathers Dominquez and Escalante and a . . . — — Map (db m153334) HM
In 1776, Franciscan Fathers, Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Excalante and eight companions, explored what is now southern Colorado, Utah, and northern Arizona, as men of peace.
Between August and December, 1776, Dominguez . . . — — Map (db m153336) HM
This memorial is the
Property of the State of Colorado
Fremont Pass
On Continental Divide between
Arkansas and Blue River drainages
Altitude 11,316 feet
Western boundary of the Louisiana
Purchase of 1803.
Named . . . — — Map (db m128033) HM
Panel 1
Road to Santa Fe
"...for it begins upon the outside line of the outside State (Missouri) and runs directly toward the setting sun..." - Sen. Thomas Hart Benton, following the Santa Fe Trail survey, 1825
For . . . — — Map (db m97715) HM
This monument
marks the route of the
Santa Fe Trail
1822 - 1879
placed by the
Daughters of the
American Revolution
and the
State of Colorado
It also commemorates
the faithful work of
Harriett Parker Campbell . . . — — Map (db m77856) HM
[Left side historical photo captions read]
With his climbing partner Rae Kennedy, and photographer Whipple Chester, John Otto became the first person to summit Independence Monument.
Otto had been in the area five years by then. When he arrived . . . — — Map (db m159662) HM
From this spot in the fall of 1776, you might have seen a small expedition crossing the plains below, heading west into Utah. The group was led by Atanasio Dominquez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante, two Franciscan friars attempting to find a . . . — — Map (db m154613) HM
Built in this valley in 1837 by mountain men Thompson, Craig and Sinclair, what is the winter rendezvous of traders, trappers and Indians until 1840, after which it fell into decay and was abandoned. — — Map (db m154044) HM
The Spanish empire's influence on the American southwest began long before the 1776 journey of Dominguez and Escalante. Indeed, Spanish conquistadors, in search of gold and silver, explored the region as early as 1540. Santa Fe, the capital of New . . . — — Map (db m120221) HM
Standing here, it is difficult to imagine anyone trying to cross the canyon or navigate its waters. Like hikers today, the Utes and early explorers faced rigorous hardships.
In 1900, William Torrence led a crew to explore the possibility of . . . — — Map (db m120242) HM
As Father Escalante so appropriately recorded in his diary, the
Dominguez Escalante expedition was made “in behalf of the Light."
Dominguez and Escalante were Franciscan priests, and their religion
strongly influenced the course of their . . . — — Map (db m120222) HM
On July 29, 1776, two Franciscan priests, Fray Francisco Atanasio Dominguez
and Fray Silvestre Velez de Escalante, led their eight companions out through
the gates of Santa Fe and into the heart of the American southwest. Their
five-month . . . — — Map (db m120225) HM
It took bold men to ride into a bold land—a land of raging rivers,
burning deserts, towering mountains, and rugged canyons.
The land of the Southwest through which Dominguez and
Escalante travelled in 1776 was awesome in beauty and . . . — — Map (db m120226) HM
The Dominguez-Escalante Expedition
Just south of here on August 27, 1776, the Spanish explorers Dominguez and Escalante met a Ute Indian whom they called El Surdo (The Deaf One). They were seeking a route west, the two Spaniards . . . — — Map (db m120219) HM
John C. Fremont
His name appears on almost any roll of Western pathbreakers. Fremont’s expeditions were instrumental in opening the Southwest. He visited the fort on three of his first four expeditions to the West.
Susan . . . — — Map (db m180971) HM
A Mud Castle Rises
In 1833, Bent, St. Vrain & Company built a trading post on the semi-arid reaches of the Arkansas River on the U.S. border with Mexico. Few if any buildings in the American West approached Bent’s Fort in size and . . . — — Map (db m71847) HM
I wish I was capable to do Bent and St. Vrain justice for the kindness received at their hands. I can only say their equals were never in the mountains.
- Christopher “Kit” Carson
Charles Bent
Charles Bent led . . . — — Map (db m71848) HM
In winters northers howled ... In summer temperatures climbed above the hundred-degree mark ... Spirits shriveled as respiratory organs dried; lips cracked and eyes burned ... it took a particular kind of spiritual iron to survive ... . . . — — Map (db m71846) HM
This memorial is the property of the State of Colorado Hoosier Pass Across Continental Divide between South Park and the Blue River Altitude 11,542 feet Crossed by Fremont 1844 Named for Hoosier . . . — — Map (db m171494) HM
Named by the pioneer miners in expression of their determination for equal opportunity and fair dealing. Site visited by Captain John C. Fremont and Kit Carson in 1844. Fairplay diggings organized and mining laws enacted in April 1860. Seat of Park . . . — — Map (db m152925) HM
This memorial is the
property of the State of Colorado
Spread before you lies the famous
South Park
Entered by Kenosha Pass, elevation 10,000 feet
The Bayou Salado of early trappers.
Favorite Indian . . . — — Map (db m152980) HM
Dubbed Bayou Salado by early European explorers, South Park is one of four high-altitude mountain parks in Colorado.
The view from Wilkerson Pass looks down to a great flat plain, perhaps the best-known mountain park in the state.
The name, . . . — — Map (db m153273)
Although Pikes Peak is not the highest peak in Colorado, it may be the best known, thanks to "America the Beautiful."
On Pikes Peak, Katharine Lee Bates was inspired to write a song that praises the natural beauty of this country. As you look . . . — — Map (db m153280) HM
An area along the Arkansas River bottoms, 45 miles westward from a point 20 miles east of Lamar was known as “The Big Timbers” during the “Building of the West.” Big Timbers received its name from giant cottonwoods which flanked both banks of the . . . — — Map (db m213689) HM
This tablet is the
Property of the State of Colorado
——
The hill one block east is
Jacob Fowler's Lookout.
Later called Sugar Loaf Hill.
Near it in a log house Fowler
and his trappers . . . — — Map (db m96053) 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
Between 1859 and 1876, geologist Ferdinand V. Hayden explored privately and for the U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories.
His expeditions surveyed nearly all of Colorado, producing accurate maps and atlases, fossils for . . . — — Map (db m116921) HM
This sign marks an important junction of the Old Spanish Trail. Both forks, east and west, of the North Branch of this Trail converged at Saguache before continuing west of Cochetopa Pass and on to Los Angeles.
The Old Spanish Trail was the . . . — — Map (db m120165) HM
Fort Vasquez
As trappers and explorers, Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette
helped build the lucrative fur trade. But by 1835, when they raised
Fort Vasquez midway between Fort Laramie and Bent's Old Fort
along Trapper's Trail and . . . — — Map (db m120215) HM
