1883 – How the Cache la Poudre River got its Name

Today we are visited by Abner Loomis who told us the history of how the Cache La Poudre River got its name. Mr. Loomis was a long-time friend of Antoine Janis, one of the original settlers in Larimer County and a gentleman who was a member of a party of freighters that got stuck near the town of Bellvue in November of 1836. It was this event that gave the Poudre River its name.

Read in PDF Format: How the Cache la Poudre River got its Name

Continue reading

Posted in 1883 | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on 1883 – How the Cache la Poudre River got its Name

1861 – Odd Fellows Initiation, Riding the Goat

The Society of Odd Fellows opened its Peak Lodge in Denver on December 24, 1860. Many good men have joined the association, although non-members have long speculated about the secret initiation ceremony. Rumors of secret signs, salutations, and passwords have long existed, but the real curiosity is the mumbling about initiates “Riding the Goat.” This year, Denver got to see its own version of this most secret Odd Fellow ritual.

Read in PDF Format: Odd Fellow Initiation, Riding the Goat

Continue reading

Posted in 1857 | 2 Comments

1876 – Colorado’s Long Road to Statehood

TODAY, AUGUST 1, 1876, PRESIDENT ULYSSES GRANT SIGNED THE BILL THAT MADE COLORADO THE 38TH STATE IN THE UNION, GIVING COLORADO THE HONOR OF BEING THE ONLY CENTENNIAL STATE. THE ROAD TO STATEHOOD HAS BEEN A LONG, STRANGE BATTLE. THIS IS A BRIEF HISTORY OF COLORADO’S ROAD TO STATEHOOD, BECAUSE, AS DESCRIBED IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS ARTICLE PUBLISHED ON MARCH 16, 1875, “TO DO MORE WOULD FILL A BOOK.”

Read in PDF Format: Colorado’s Long Road to Statehood

Continue reading

Posted in 1876 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

1869 – Captain Samuel Adams’ Expedition Fails

THE ADAMS’ EXPEDITION, TRYING TO DISCOVER A WATER ROUTE FROM THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS TO THE PACIFIC, HAS COME TO A RAPID END. NO LIVES WERE LOST, BUT AFTER A MONTH AND A HALF OF TRAVELING DOWN THE BLUE AND GRAND RIVERS, ALL SUPPLIES, INSTRUMENTS, AND BOATS WERE LOST IN WILD CATARACTS. THE FATE OF JOHN WESTLEY POWELL, WHO BEGAN A SIMILAR EXPEDITION ON MAY 29, 1869, IS UNKNOWN, BUT AFTER CAPTAIN ADAM’S EXPERIENCES, FEARS FOR HIS EXPEDITION’S SAFETY HAVE INCREASED.

Read in PDF Format: 1869 – Captain Samuel Adams’ Expedition Fails

Continue reading

Posted in 1869 | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

1860 – Professor O. J. Goldrick opens Denver Union School

Professor O.J. Goldrick

TODAY, PROFESSOR O.J. GOLDRICK OPENED THE DENVER UNION SCHOOL, OFFERING TO EDUCATE ALL OF DENVER’S CHILDREN. HE, AND FELLOW TEACHER MISS MILLER, ARE BOTH ACCOMPLISHED AND WELL QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND SHOULD MEET WITH LIBERAL ENCOURAGEMENT IN THEIR UNDERTAKING. SEND YOUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL!

Read in PDF Format: Professor O.J. Goldrick opens Denver Union School

Continue reading

Posted in 1860 | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

1863 – Miss Annie’s Advice on Unmentionables

As the adnominal glories of the Colorado Territory fade into the short days of silvery winter, ladies will now focus their needles on their whitework. The scant light is best used for repairing your light-colored underpinnings. The muslin chemise with the lace insert in need of repair, the replacement of damaged drawer’s ties, and the restitching of the corset bone flossing.

Read in PDF Format: Miss Annie’s Advice on Unmentionables

Continue reading

Posted in 1863 | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on 1863 – Miss Annie’s Advice on Unmentionables

1910 – Colorado Capital’s Hall of Fame

The governor and other state officers moved into the new capitol building on November 9, 1894. Designed by Elijah E. Myers and reminiscent of the Untied States Capitol, the building contains Colorado’s Hall of Fame, or Circle of Fame as some call it, displaying images of sixteen individuals who made significant contributions to Colorado’s history.

 

Read in PDF Format: Colorado Capital’s Hall of Fame

Continue reading

Posted in 1910 | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

1893 – Colorado Passes Suffrage Legislation

Susan B. Anthony

Colorado has made history as the first state to pass Women’s Suffrage legislation by state referendum. Of course, Wyoming, in 1869, was the first Territory to give women the right to vote. It was quickly followed by the Utah Territory in 1870 and Washington Territory in 1883.

 

 

Read in PDF Format: Colorado Passes Suffrage Legislation

Continue reading

Posted in 1893 | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

1873 – The Legend of the Mount of the Holy Cross

Mount of the Holy Cross, W.H. Jackson, 1873

Geographical surveyor, F.V. Hayden and photographer W.H. Jackson have summited the mysterious Mount of the Holy Cross and returned with an interesting story. The following is a reproduction of The Legend of the Mount of the Holy Cross, as told to Jackson and Hayden by Alice Polk Hill. Miss Hill is traveling through the Colorado frontier, recording stories and yarns from Colorado’s colorful past.

Read in PDF Format: The Legend of the Mount of the Holy Cross

Continue reading

Posted in 1873 | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 1873 – The Legend of the Mount of the Holy Cross

1865 – Augusta Tabor’s Wash Day

Augusta Tabor

Mrs. Elizabeth Entriken, a 59er and the sister of our beloved snowshoe minister, Reverend John Dyer, shared this interesting story about Augusta Tabor’s labors to wash teamsters shirts to earn a bit of her own gold dust.

Read in PDF Format: Augusta Tabor’s Wash Day

Continue reading

Posted in 1865 | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on 1865 – Augusta Tabor’s Wash Day