Huerfano County, Colorado

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Huerfano County

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• Mining History and early Walsenburg, CO

Huerfano County (/ˈwɛərfənoʊ/; Spanish pronunciation: [ˈweɾfano]) is in Southern Colorado, has Walsenburg, Colorado for County Seat.^[1]

Huerfano County is named for the Spanish word for “orphan,” covers 1,750 square miles in south central Colorado, east of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and south of the Wet Mountain Valley.

Part of the Sangre de Christo mountain range.

The southern part of Huerfano County is part of the Raton Basin, a geological formation that has produced large amounts of coal. Originally, Huerfano County stretched from the Kansas border to the Sangre de Cristos, but over time portions of the county were carved off to form several other counties. The county is now bordered by Pueblo County to the northeast, Las Animas County to the southeast, Costilla and Alamosa Counties to the southwest, Saguache County to the west, and Custer County to the north.^{[2] [3]}

Huerfano Butte may be seen to the right of Hwy I-25. This landmark gave the name to Huerfano county. Its meaning in Spanish is "orphan". ^[1]

Settlers in Huerfano were mostly from New Mexico Territory in the days of New Spain and when Colorado was a colony, then later a territory. Descendants from New Mexico compose the majority of the population of Huerfano. ^[4]

1601-1700 through early 1800's Huerfano County area Immigrants came through for different reasons seeking the new lands of the Wild Wild West. Spanish explored northward from New Mexico, but did not settle yet.^[2]

Since the days when New Mexico Territory was present there were rumors of New Spain treasure hidden in the hills and mountains of Huerfano County. This also included the Arapahoe Princes Treasure.^[1]

1716 New Mexico governor, Don Antonio Valverde Casio noted many "roads" in the area when he came to the Huerfano River. Apache and Comanche raised crops here and hunted before going back to the plains in the winter, They crossed from the San Luis Valley to hunt, trade, visit, or make raid, via the lower mountain passes. ^[5]

1779 New Mexican governor Juan Bautista de Anza chased and killed Comanche leader Cuerno Verde (Greenhorn) with his 600-man force into the Raton Basin and over Sangre de Cristo Pass . They overtook Guerno Verde as they were camped near the Huerfano Butte. The ute guide and Anza also filled the Huerfano River to a trail heading into the mountains, and named the trail "Sangre de Christo pass" He saw the trail left the Huerfano River near Badito cone and another trail branched to the west (La Veta Pass).^{[2] [1]}

1800's Jicarilla Apache American Indians crossed the plains of Huerfano County. Utes passed through Huerfano's western mountain regions following game into and out of the San Luis Valley, across mountain ranges into the Huerfano area. The Utes, Apache and Comanche Native Americans fought to control early south central Colorado.^[2]

1820 The New Mexico gov. Don Fecund Melgares noted the mention of Sierra Mojada (Wet Mountains, Huerfano Pass, Sangre de Christo Pass in report written in French. He concluded there might be an attack and sent 700 men to investigate and determine if Sangre de Christo Pass needed defending.They fortified it, and a nearby pass called "the Road of the Narrow Gap" (Pass Creek Pass). The fort, a triangular adobe, was short-lived. Rumors reported 5 of the 6 soldiers were killed by "100 white men dressed as Indians" Since there weren't 100 white men in the county all concluded the soldiers were killed by Indians.By 1820 the fort was abandoned after the attack.^[5]

1820- Santa Fé Trail - passed thru Huerfano County. American and French fur trappers came through the area 1820-1830's. ^[2]

this area began as a colony of New Spain and a few immigrants tried to settle in Northern New Mexico colony.^[2]

Ranch- La Veta

The Hispanics left a legacy and continued presence in the Colorado region are reflected in the people remaining in the 2000's. Local place names reflect the Hispanic legacy and culture.

post Civil WAR, treaties settled the Native Americans to reservations. The Wild Wild West was safer for settlement. ^[2]

Spanish Peaks are prime examples of "stocks" which are defined as large masses of igneous (molten) rock which intruded layers of sedimentary rock and were later exposed by erosion. When mapped by geologists the Peaks were found to be masses of granite, granodiorite, and syenodiorite.

Among the most unusual features of the Spanish Peaks are the great dikes which radiate out from the mountains like spokes of a wheel and the Apishapa Arch. These walls of rock are often spectacular. They are easily visible from the highway on the highway between Cuchara and La Veta north of the peaks (and west of Walsenburg), and pictures of them have been used as type examples in more than one introductory geology textbook. Several can be easily seen up close on back dirt roads

Apishapa Arch.

Apishapa Arch - on the south side of the peaks can actually be driven through.

1820 Major Stephen H. Long led a surveying party through Colorado and up "the Wharf River," as they called it. However, instead of ascending Sangre de Cristo Pass, they turned south to explore the Mesa de Maya country. ^[5]

Post 1821 Mexico was the governing power of New Spain after winning its independence from Spain. Both Spain and Mexico issued large land grants. Hispanic families settled in the area of southern Colorado colony. They raised sheep and cattle. ^[2]

1822- Major Jacob Fowler of Arkansas wanted to form trade routes from St. Louis to New Mexico. He followed the well marked Taos Trail to the Mexican fort. There they camped on the cld, windy pass.(It is always windy in this area). When news of the cold windy pass was heard by trappers and traders, the Taos trail became more popular.^[5]

1843- Cornelio Vigil- Ceran St. Vrain grant was one of 197 awarded in New Mexico and Colorado, with $4,000,000 acre million acres. This was the largest grant. Ceran St. Vrain was a naturalized Mexican citizen who was born in the USA. The grant extended from the Raton Mountains to the river, "Napeste" (Arkansas), east from the Sangre de Cristos to the Purgatory and included the modern towns of Trinidad, Rocky Ford, La Junta, Las Animas and Rye as well as all of the present Huerfano County. This would become home to the settlement of Greenhorn. ^[6] According to history it is said the two men gave shares in their grant to New Mexico Governor Manuel Armijo and Charles Bent, but settlement did not begin immediately, probably because of the war between the United States and Mexico.

Cuchara

The people who immigrated west in wagon trains were called Georgia Colony. Cate Patterson had built a plaza at St. Marys and Russell began farming. The Georgians came to Patterson Plaza. Then the settled up the Huerfano nearer Gardner or at Francisco'sl ranch at La Veta, or along the Apache and St. Charles River. ^[5]

Jan. 1844 Before Colorado Territory was formed , this Huerfano County area was a part of Mora County, New Mexico Territory.. Its settlers were drawn by the Spanish land grant to Cornelio Vigil and Cerain St Vrain. "Rio Huerfano" and "Rio de las Cucharas" were included in the grant. ^{[4] [5]}

1850 John Fremont led expeditions to explore building a transcontinental railroad to connect the East to California.. But his trip up the Huerfano pass and Medano Pass, met heavy snow a little farther west.^[5]

mid 1850's Huerfano residents say the first permanent residents were Jose Fabian Baca and a blind partner, Pedro Martinez, who lived 2 miles below Badito on the Huerfano River.According to several sources, the first permanent residents of present day Huerfano County were Jose Fabian Baca and his blind partner Pedro Martinez, who lived about two miles below Badito on the Huerfano. ^[5]

1852 - Settlers increased when Ft Massachusetts was built in the San Luis Valley. Bents New Fort or Old Ft. Lyon sent mail and supplies through Huerfano County, on the Sangre de Christo and Mosca Passes.^[5]

1853 Captain John C Gunnison arrived to survey, and traveled up the Huerfano, past the old Spanish Fort. When he saw the trail was too rough and steep for wagons, he blazed a 6- mile road that had such tilt, they had to physically haul the wagons up the trail. He preferred Mosca pass. ^[5]

1853 1st county seat was at Charlie Autobees' Plaza near the crossing of the Huerfano river and Arkansas Rivers,. This is now within Pueblo county. Population was the reason for Autobees', as there were 7 or 8 families living on ranches between Autobees' and Doyle's ranches (18 miles apart. Next largest settlement was Fort Wise, later Fort Lyon. Some communities are along the old Santa Fe Trail at Grey's Creek near Trinidad.^[5]

Autobees, located on the Arkansas River opened a ferry. The territorial congress granted Autobees exclusive rights to operate a ferry oin the area

Pre-1855 Badito was settled, and was the first town of consequence. It was situated near a river crossing. The name Badito is a corruption of spanish for "ford", thus may mean Little Ford. The Taos Trail crossed the Huerfano River at this point. Early there were a store, hotel, and livery. Some residents say the first resident in Badito was F.W. Poshfoff that opened the store and supplier for the Huerfano communities and the San Luis Valley. Cattle ranches were his neighbors. The customers were the cowboys who drove cattle north to the gold fields near Denver and the builders of the Union Pacific railroad in Wyoming.

Badito and Taos Trail.

1859 Gold rush caused the demand for land to increase. St Vrain was selling 1/2 mile tracts of land for $100 each. Joseph was his real estate agent and bought several tracts.

1860's By this time, the Indians were no longer the "lords of the plains". The Territory of Colorado abolished the reservations on the plains of the Front Range. The Indians had no resistance to the white man's diseases, and many died. The Indians retaliated by raiding farms, stealing stock, or other "atrocities" as they reand gradually began forcing the tribes, many now decimated from "white man's diseases."

1860 Settlers here, thought the Pass could be passable for stage coaches and began a weekly stage, using Sangre de Christo Pass between Ft Garland into Canon City.The stage line was followed by others carrying mail and passengers. Large corrals and a way-station called Summit House were constructed on the pass. ^[5]

1860 Baca and Martinez opened a store. The gold rush of 1859 created a demand for land, even this far south. St. Vrain therefore offered one-half mile tracts along the Huerfano for $100 each. Joseph Doyle became his real estate agent and bought several tracts.

1860's There were ambitious German settlers, such as Louis B Sporleder, who opened Sporleder's grain store in Waldenburg, CO.. ^[3]

1860s Hispanic shepherds from the San Luis Valley, migrated to Huerfano county area and founded "la Plaza de los Leones. This plaza became the City of Walsenburg, Colorado and Huerfano County Seat. ^[2]

1862 - Homestead Act passed which attracted easterners to the Colorado region to settle.

late 1860's White Americans came to the Raton Basin and Huerfano County and began raising cattle on public lands. ^[2]

1861 Colorado legislature established Huerfano County as 1/17 original counties of the Colorado Territory.^[2]

1887 map

Feb 28, 1861 Colorado became a territory of the United States. Prior to the end of his term, President James Buchanan signed the territorial act. William Gilpin of Missouri became the 1st governor of the territory. However it would be 15 more years before Colorado became a U.S. State. Huerfano County area was included in the original 17 counties of the territory. At this time its area reached from the Arkansas River all the way south along the summits of the Sangre de Christo Mountains to the New Mexico border. Eastern boundary was Kansas. Within it was an Indian reservation near the Arkansas River. AT this time less than 50 people were here 91 person/150 miles. ^[5]

Population was the factor for choosing a different county seat location. There were seven or eight families living along the lower Huerfano between Autobees' and Doyle's ranches,18 miles apart. The next largest settlement was around Fort Wise, later Fort Lyon. There were also budding communities along the Santa Fe Trail, notably at Grey's Creek near Trinidad. The large county made it hard for much governing to be done. Due to the distances for travel through the original county and lack of communication (other than mounted messengers) organizing Huerfano's government took time.^[5]

Oct 19, 1861 Voting places in the five precincts were set at Charles Autobees' home, Joseph Doyle's ranch, St. Vrain's ranch at the home of B.R. Boice, James Gray's ranch and the Sutler's store at Ft. Wise. ^[1]The county commissioners temporarily changed the county seat to Doyle's ranch. ^[5]

Apr. 27, 1862 The county seats declared as "section three on Huerfano Creek." No mention of territory or range. ^[5]

1862 Colonel John M. Francisco and French Henry Daigre completed building Francisco Fort in the Cuchara Valley. This adobe fort and adjoining plaza were designed for the men's protection from the Native Americans and form a trading place for settlers and traders.^[2]

Sept. 1, 1863 - election to select a permanent site for a county seat to be located at the Ft. Union crossing of the Huerfano from Greenhorn." (It was probably the Butte Valley settlement). ^[5]

May 1864 - a "toll road" was planned to cross the county, running 3 miles S of Hicklin's ranch on Greenhorn where Ft. Union and Ft. Garland roads split, along the base of the mountains to a "point" on the Huerfano River, to be 1/2 mile from Pueblo to Ft. Garland road, thence west to the County boundary and across Sangre de Cristo Pass. The commissioners approved it. ^[5]

William Craig leased property for a fort, which was "one Spanish league below the mouth of the St. Charles River in NW corner of the Las Animas grant". the lease was $1.00 annually for 15 years. Craig may have intended to open a store at the which became Ft. Reynolds east of Pueblo.

1865 - Huerfano had a population of 371 settlers (Hispanic emigrants from N New Mexico. Their houses were stucco and adobe similar to that of New Mexico. Hispanic settlers were the most numerous. Huerfano County Hispanos soon faced disenfranchisement.^[2]

1865-70's Charles Otto Unfug (another German settler) arrived from the San Luis Valley to work for Meyer, who also opened a store in Badito where Unfug had worked. Soon Unfug came to Walsenburg, Colorado and wrote letters, completed documents for settlers in the region. His brothers, Conrad, August and Adolph all arrived and the brothers opened the Unfug Mercantile store in Walsenburg, Colorado. The men all operated Walsenburg's businesses, the mines, logging operations, ranches, a hotel on 7th street and eventually the bank, together with real estate and water rights. Between them, they were operating most of the town's businesses, including stores, mines, logging operations, ranches, a hotel and bank, plus they controlled considerable real estate and water rights. ^[5][3]

1866 (2) Spanish forts were in Huerfano County. The county lost land for the formation Las Animas County and later Baca County.

1868 The plaza was named for John M. Francisco, who his partner, Henry Daigre, built their ranch on land purchased from the Vigil-St. Vrain Land Grant in 1868 for $37,710. Their ranch was an early fort. They grew and raised cattle, sheep, hogs, wheat, barley, hay, beans to sell to the mining camps.^[5]

1869 Crestones started to the west, with residents from Chama, New Mexico. It had a school, catholic Church, school with 100 students but never had a post office. Huerfano County's first school was built on Patterson's ranch at St. Mary, later became County district #1.^[5]

1870 Henry Sefton built a "toll road across La Veta Pass, named Baldy Scott. The road is visible only in spots currently. Later another "toll road" extended from Middle Creek, over Wagon Creek Pass. It was hardly navigable for wagons. Only light freight could be hauled here or at Indian Creek Pass. The wagon roads improved the route to gold-rich Creede and the San Juan valley.^[5]

Walsenburg, early years

1870 -Henrich Anton Frederick Walsen settled in Huerfano county in la Plaza de los Leones which was named for Henrich Walsen. By 1900, American-owned cattle and sheep companies had bought up most of the local range land, eclipsing traditional land ownership and use.^[2][3]

1870 the Denver & Rio Grande (D&RG) and Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe (AT&SF) Railroads reached Trinidad (south of Huerfano County). D&RG soon extended through Huerfano County and on to the San Luis Valley over La Veta Pass railway later reached east to La Junta and Colorado and Southern Railroad (C&S) also arrived. These railways enabled shipping mining products and agriculture back east.^[2]

1866-70 County seat was located at Badito for 4 years. Badito was in an isolated area with no lodging or homes. Next they decided the county clerk would be located at Butte Valley post office and the treasurer and sheriff at the J.D. Patterson near the St. Mary community. community was "an isolated point in the county".^[5]

Nov 2, 1870 Colorado state General Assembly formed Greenwood county from lands from former Cheyenne county, the Arapaho tribal land and the eastern part of Huerfano County. ^[1]

1870 Denver and Rio Grande began building the railway from Denver-Colorado Springs had ideas to extend it to Alamosa, then on to Mexico!! ^[5]

1871

March, 1871 - La Veta received a post office. It continued to grow as more settlers arrived from the east as well as New Mexico to find a homestead in this fertile valley.^[2] A toll road was finished with tolls for the Sangre de Christo and Cucharas Wagon Roads. If a wagon or vehicle was pulled by one animal the charge was 50 cents. If the Vehicle was drawn by 2 animals, charge was 75 cents. If pulled by additional pair, extra charge of 25 cents. Loose cattle, horses, donkeys 10 cents per head, loose sheep, goats, hogs, 1 cent per head, if a person was riding a horse or donkey, charge was 25 cents.^[5]

Sept 10, 1872 - Election to choose a county seat, and Walsenburg, Colorado was selected.

Oct 7, 1872, Walsenburg, Colorado, and officials were to move to Walsenburg location. John Brown chose to remain in Butte valley.^[5][3]

1872 - The county seat was moved from Badito to Walsenburg.^[2]

Oct 7, 1872, Walsenburg, Colorado, and officials were to move to Walsenburg location. John Brown chose to remain in Butte valley.^[5][3]

1873 - Engineers for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad arrived in the area to survey for a route to build across La Veta Pass. They discovered a community of 200 in the Spanish Peaks. !!

1875 Small-scale mining in Huerfano County found small amounts of gold, silver, copper, and lead.^[2]

1875 Alex C. Hunt assumed new job with D&RG and obtained land titles along the right of way. Hunt also opened the Walsen mine and managed to receive a profit, since the mine was on leased land and the coal was hauled by wagon to Cucharas for shipment.

Hunt arrived in Spanish Peaks to begin bringing the railroad in. If local landowners were unwilling to lease or sell, he had the tracks built on other land..Soon Hunt was a member of the La Veta Town Company selling $50.00 lots and receiving a profit.The town began to fill with splatters and businessmen. Construction began on grading and building foundations for bridges. First 6 car train arrived from Cucharas full of promoters.^[5]

Plaza de los Leones, later Walsenburg, was named for the first of these families. The houses here were stucco 2-3 ft thick. The obituary of Hernando Leon, who died in 1905 at the age of 85, says he was the "founder" of Leon Plaza. ^[3]

Cuchara

1876 Palmer had tracks built to Cucharas Junction, north of the old Cucharas community east of Walsenburg, Colorado. That were laid on the prairie, then fill was added. In April his tracks reached El Moro. ^{[5] [3]}

Aug 17, 1876 - The Spanish Peaks Post office ceased and La Veta used the name until Oct 9, when county commissioners approved Town of La Veta to be incorporated.^[5]

1900'sFarming lands were settled and improved.. Several thousand acres have been added to the fields within the last 20 years. These lands are well watered and large crops of hay and grain have been raised. Huerfano county has mostly small holdings rather than large land owners. Farmers own small bunches of cattle. ^[4]

Coal Miner statue.

1900's The Coal deposits and mines in the area gave rise to a boom after coal was discovered in large deposits. Coal mines were scattered in the county. ^[1]

1914 -Tensions increased until National Guard soldiers killed nearly 20 men, women, and children in the nearby Ludlow Massacre, the climax of the Colorado Coalfield War.

Ranchland closer to Sheep mountain.

1926 Huerfano County is located in the south-central part of the State. Its western boundary is formed by the Sangre de Cristo and Culebra mountain ranges, which one continuous range, but called different names in different places.. Sangre de Chistos peaks are more irregular in Huerfano and Custer Counties. The range running east to west extends 48 miles. Sanger De Christo width near the central part is 40 miles north to south. Areal of this range is 960,000 acres (300,000 acres more than the size of the State of Rhode Island.) .. Its surface consists of an irregular plateau with many narrow valleys in the east, rising into rugged mountains in the west. Altitude ranges from 5,690 feet at the north boundary up to over 13,000 feet at the summits of the mountains to the west. Length, from east to west, is about 48 miles, and its width, from north to south, near the central part, is about 40 miles. Its area is 960,000 acres, or 300,000 acres more than that of the State of Rhode Island. The surface is an irregular plateau broken by many narrow valleys in the east and rising into a rugged mountainous area in the west. The altitude ranges from about 5,690 feet at the north boundary to more than 13,000 feet at the summits of the mountains on the west.^[4]

[Source: Mining in Colorado: A History of Discovery, Development and Production, by Charles William Henderson, 1926, submitted by Mary Kay Krogman]

1930's-Highways were built, connecting the coal mines with markets.. US Hwy 85 and 160 became vital links . The county continued to mined large amounts of coal, but just like all of the other states, the Great Depression hurt local economy. Mines closed, company towns became abandoned, farms dried up with no rain, during this Dust Bowl also.. ^[2]

1946 - After World War II, the coal demand ended, the mines also became filled with water. There was a steady economic decline through 2015. ^[1]

Attractions are: the historic coal mine sites, majestic mountain hiking and mountain biking.^[1]

post 1946 After World War II, there was a demand for oil, and a shift back to farming. Farmers raised more cattle, and grew alfalfa and other crops using the ditch rights-irrigation systems. Huerfano County economy of Huerfano County has never recovered from the coal bust; the Walsenburg’s population dropped from 6,000 in 1945 to 2,900 in 2014.

Feb. 28, 1991 is the 130th birthday of Huerfano County, one of the original 17 counties in Colorado Territory.^[5]

http://www.kmitch.com/Huerfano/hist.html

2006 -The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad’s La Veta Pass Route reopened for seasonal public use. This railway follows the Alamos to La Veta path, which the freight lines followed during the Wild Wild West days' mining boom following the same path from Alamosa to La Veta used by freight lines during the region’s mining boom. ^[2]

2008 the National Park Service Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program extended trails in state parks and US Forest Service trails. Outdoor tourists and locals alike are able to fishing, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, camping, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in the Huerfano wilderness. Tourism now plays an important role in the modern local economy.^[2]

2015, Huerfano County had a population of 6,492. Most of the its residents live in the county seat of Walsenburg, but smaller populations are in Badito, Calumet, Cuchara, Gardner, Farista, La Veta and Red Wing area. Huerfano’s mild mountain passes, notably La Veta and Sangre de Cristo Passes, throughout history have provided a transportation corridor.^[2]

2017 Huerfano County struggles economically. Land is poor for soil, farmers can grow alfalfa with the ditch rights to provide water for the alfalfa, wheat, hay. Huerfano County has high wind conditions. This has led to the addition of wind power to produce alternative-energy, called the. Huerfano River Wind Farm 10 miles N of Walsenburg is Colorado’s largest producer of wind power.^[2]

• Huerfano River Wind Farm about 10 miles N of Waldenburg at the junction of the Huerfano River and I 25^[3]

Ranchers raised cattle and sheep, although current years here in Huerfano, one sees just cattle. These were formerly the sole industry and carried on only to a limited extent, in modern days the herds of cattle are an improved variety rather than the long herded steer or the Mexican sheep which formerly were the only animals grazing in the county. 2002-2010 land owned by this author also had a grazing lease with a rancher in the lower mountain region. The cattle seen there covered 100's of acres and grazed on any grass they found.[Personal knowledge of Richardson-7161 02:36, 18 May 2018 (UTC) ] Assessor returns indicate the Walsenburg shipped out 1,500 head of fat cattle, with 10,000 sheep has given a good return on ranchers in the business. ^[4]

MINING

McMillan's on the upper Huerfano area, where good ore has been located and shipments made. ^[4]

Another is known as "Ojo", where there is a mining camp, (a copper district ) ^[4]

Spanish Peaks, in which prospecting and development are being done, may demonstrate that the miner will have a rich field. ^[4]

Walsenburg, Colorado has the largest population in the county, with La Veta next in population, then Rouse, Pictou, Gardner. Waldenburg has a bank, courthouse, jail, grocery store, Family Dollar, and propane business. Mines in Pictou, Maitland, Pryor and Rouse possibly made larger contributions to Colorado's coal industry.^[4][3]

Two railroads, the Denver and Rio Grande and the Colorado and Southern, supplied and still do provide the county with transportation facilities. Churches of differing denominations are in Waldenburg and La Veta. There are 36 school districts in the county.^[7][4]

1866 Cucharas community was established on the old Indian trail. Settlers filed claims in the early 60's, such as Martinez, Manzanares, Lopes, and Bustos families. Trapper Charlifu was raising crops on the Cucharas near North La Veta. ^[3]

Manuel Vallejos built up his ranch with a plaza for his family. He began digging ditches.. "In early years, he ranched with sheep herds, then began raising cattle, horses, obtaining land nearby in the settlement of Butte Valley.^[5]

1876 La Veta -despite being "off the beaten path" today, was at one time the center of activity in Huerfano County. That was in 1876, when the construction of the railroad was all important. North Veta eventually had stores, schools and churches but for some reason did not get a post office until the 1920's. It did become a major shipping point for crops and livestock when the railroad came through and was named "Wahatoya" by the Denver and Rio Grande. Several early trails continued from North Veta, one branching off to the west to cross La Veta Pass and another following the river up to Indian Creek and Cucharas River. The plaza here was named for John Francisco who with Daigre built a ranch on land bought from Vigil-St. Vrain Land Grant for $37,710. Its first post office began 1871, named Spanish Peaks. Mail came 3x/ wk from Cucharas. This was situated on an old Indian trail. The Cuchara Valley was the best hunting area for both the Indians and settlers with plenty of water.^[5]

Coal Miner statue.

COAL Huerfano County's largest claim to public interest is its coal supply that Huerfano possesses. Coal mining was the chief industry of the county. A large camp was opened near Rouse, by the fuel and iron company. A shaft was being sunk by the Huerfano Coal company, under the direction and management which opened up a large coal deposit about one mile from Walsenburg Colorado Fuel and Iron company and the Victor Fuel company are the largest operators. County assessor shows 5,996 acres of producing coal lands owned by the corporations conducting active mining operations. In addition to the large acreage of lands where coal is known to exist, there may be other land with no current coal mining development, The abandoned Coal Mines may be seen along Highway 69. These should not be explored by the average interested tourist, as the mines may have caved in. Thus the entrances are boarded up. which up to the present time have received no development. The current coal mines ceased, but new ones may be located. The demand is currently not as great in the 1990's and 2000's. From the Walsen mines alone >13,000 cars of coal were shipped. ^[3]

Rouse, CO, mines

Mines in Category:Huerfano County, Colorado on record today: - There are 4,800 records of mining claims on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and 97 records of mineral deposits listed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The majority were coal mines, but there are records of gold, copper, silver, uranium, and vanadium deposits located in Huerfano County, Colorado.^[8]

When driving on Colorado Highway 69 many abandoned coal mines may be seen not far from Walsenburg, Colorado. They now are filled with water.^[9]Ground water in Mines

La Veta formed when locals began selling local lots With these actions, the site of the town of La Veta began. ^[2]

Colorado mountains attract outdoor tourists.. The county has public lands including.:

Blanca Peak, Sheep Mountain, Little Sheep Mountain, Spanish Peaks. The rugged, wild, and beautiful mountains of southern Colorado have attracted outdoor tourists.^[2]

Huerfano County public lands for outdoor recreational use are:

San Isabel National Forest

Lathrop State Park

9 Huerfano County State Trust Lands

3 protected wilderness areas

Gardner, Colorado, small local mountain town has a Sonic Bloom and Hippie Days music events as well as a rodeo, drawing summer travelers.^[2]

The historic resources attract tourists to Huerfano County,

La Veta hosts historic events.

1862 Francisco Plaza

1877 La Veta Pass Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot

1889 La Veta Masonic Hall

The town of Walsenburg, colorado hosts several historic structures.

Montoya Ranch

1904 Huerfano County Courthouse and Jail

1917 Art Deco style Fox Theater

1920 Huerfano County High School on main Street. holds historic structures such as the Montoya Ranch, 1904 Huerfano County Courthouse & Jail, the 1917 Art Deco-style Fox Theater, and the 1920 Huerfano County High School.

Transportation highways are: State Hwys 10, 69, and 10 and Interstate 25 and 160 bisect Huerfano County . These highways bring the outside world to the small, isolated towns of southern Colorad.. An estimated 4 million vehicles drive through Waldenburg yearly. Huerfano County has the architecture and population reflecting the county's local history of Hispanic settlement, rural agriculture and the boom or bust history of the western states.^[2]

Gardner and ranches

1857 Gardnerhad settlers early, but was not organized at first. Settler, Charles Deus filed his claim, planted crops. When he returned he found his claim "jumped".Gardner was not an "organized" community. 1871 a post office was started, called Huerfano Canyon. Later the name was changed to Gardner. Most sources say Herbert Gardner arrived in 1873, who operated a ranch and trading post. ^[5]

old Taos Trail Any settler arriving before territorial days chose the best land sites, such as those in the fertile Huerfano river valleys near the major roads such as the old Taos Trail. Other roads were moderate, such as Cuchara Pass road and Mosca Pass road to reach the upper valleys. A road connected Denver, Colorado to Santa Fe, New Mexico, went through Trinidad along the route of old Hwy 85-87 used in the days of stagecoaches. ^[5]

Badito marker and Old Taos Trail

1865-1910, Badito received a post office, with the name of "Little Orphan." On Sept. 12, 1865, the name was changed officially to Badito. ^[5]County seat was moved from Autobees to Badito. ^[5] 1872 - A courthouse was built in Badito, may not not have been impressive as it cannot be seen currently. The same building contained the post office and new, improved store and trading post. These are all destroyed now. The only remains of Badito, (post office closed in 1910) are an old adobe home, once used as a hotel, some outbuildings and the ruins of the church across the river on a hill. ^[5]

St. Marys - was most important when it became the "end of the trail". was 6 miles downriver from Badito and began with the name Santa Maria Plaza. Henry T Sefton operated a store, hotel and blacksmith shop. He was postmaster after post office closed. - Southerners left their plantations and were seeking new lives and exploration. Green Russell and Decatur "Cate" Patterson, passed through as they searched for gold which they found in Russell's Gulch. These men also met up with Cerain St. Vrain who encouraged all to settle on his land grant. ^[5]

1866-69 Butte Valley was downriver,was named for the Huerfano butte, located east of I-25. It was a stage stop on the Denver-Santa Fe route, run by employees of St. Vrain. Antoine LaBrie operated the stage station and store. Henry Strange moved there in 1868 and opened a store in one room of his home. A post office was established there in 1869. ^[5]

'Malachite was a settlement named by its founder Tom Sharp who operated Buzzard Roost Ranch and trading Post. He was a friend of Ute Chief Ouray, who camped near the post. Sharp's home was built beside the Ute trail and named Malachite Small Farms

Walsenburg, Colorado is thought to have been an indian trail. When first settlers arrived, the Utes were using the trail. "Uncle" John Albert, was the first postmaster to build a home and fort with capacity to hold 20-30 people were across from each other. His home and fort, had capacity for 20-30 people, and faced across the Indian trail about where South Main St. runs today.^[3]

June, 2006: a local person was grading a dirt road. The sparks started a wildfire at the foothills of Sheep mountain. This blew out of control. A vast amount of Sheep mountain land including the land where the cabin this author and husband had. Everyone was evacuated and the firefighters cut the locks on the property gates to access the cisterns of water on our land. They parked their trucks at our cabin as a operating point. All tiny seedlings 50 feet from around the cabin were cut down.(Memories of Richardson-7161)

June, 2018 a non-US citizen camped near Fort Garland. Somehow a fire started. This advanced into Huerfano County. The areas under mandatory evacuation included La Veta, Gardner, Malachite, Chama, Paradise Acres, . This again includes the area where the Sheep mountain cabin is located in Huerfano County.. Cause is dry weather. The entire west face of Sheep Mountain burned with many acres.

Libre, Colorado, 1960's Hippie Commune Libre Beginning in the late 1960's several hippie groups lived in Southern Colorado.. They had dropped out of college, lived on stipends from their parents back east and food stamps, who built dome homes and other structures.

Dan Archuleta allowed one colony to move into his goat sheds on the north side west of Red Wing, Colorado.. Its name was Archuletaville. All of the colony were south facing buildings. Today, there are only remains of the stone faced shed, most windows are gone., an adobe house, and remains of outhouses. ^[10]

Other hippie communes were Libre which was in an isolated area northwest of Walsenburg, not far from Greenhorn Mountain.. The residents lived in poorly built shacks, and some were living in elaborate geodesic domes. One was an artist.. Some of the people living there still live in the community today.orate geodesic domes.

Deans dome home, Libre

Libre was a commune artists' community. It involved the people living in the commune who built their own houses, without building knowledge. Some of the buildings are standing today and still have descendants of the original colony living there. It is an unincorporated community.This occurred during the Vietnam War era when some hippie moved to communes to avoid the draft.

UTUBE Video Libre by Roberta Price

Huerfano Libre (2) houses

Government Offices

1st County Seat
1853 The first county seat was at Charlie Autobees' plaza near the crossing of the Huerfano river and Arkansas Rivers,. This is now within Pueblo county. Population was the reason for Autobees', as there were 7 or 8 families living on ranches between Autobees' and Doyle's ranches (18 miles apart. Next largest settlement was Fort Wise, later Fort Lyon. Some communities are along the old Santa Fe Trail at Grey's Creek near Trinidad.^[5]

2nd County Seat
'Dec. 19, 1861 the county commissioners temporarily changed the county seat to Doyle's ranch.

3rd County Seat

Apr. 27, 1862 they declared the county seat to be "section three on Huerfano Creek." No mention of territory or range. ^[5]

4th County Seat

Sept. 1, 1863 - election to select a permanent site for a county seat to be located at the Ft. Union crossing of the Huerfano from Greenhorn." (It was probably the Butte Valley settlement). ^[5]

5th County Seat -

1870, the county seat was located at Badito for 4 years. Badito was in an isolated area with no lodging or homes there. ^[5]

6th County Seat Next they decided the county clerk would be located at Butte Valley post office and the treasurer and sheriff at the J.D. Patterson Ranch near the St. Mary community which was "an isolated point in the county".^[5]

7th County Seat

Oct 7, 1872, Walsenburg, Colorado was chosen to be county Seat. Officials were to move to Walsenburg location. John Brown chose to remain in Butte valley.^[5][3]

Walsenburg, Colorado

Walsenburg Courthouse

Geography

Size has a total area of 1,7530square miles (4,130 km2), of which 1,591 square miles (4,120 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.1%) is water.

Local south central Colorado, east of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and south of the Wet Mountain Valley.

Vegetation, Trees - Cactus, Short grasses and short shrubs cover much of the county lowlands, with piñon, pine, gambol oak, juniper, and Blue Spruce, Aspen trees in the mountain growing in the mountainous regions.

large majority of Huerfano county is about 6,900 feet and relatively flat lands to the east of I-25

land to the West of !-25 - is rolling, as it becomes closer to the mountains.

Rainfall - low

Mountains - The Spanish Peaks are geologically distinct from the faulted and uplifted mountains of the Sangre de Cristo range to the west. To the geologist the Spanish Peaks are prime examples of "stocks" which are defined as large masses of igneous (molten) rock which intruded layers of sedimentary rock and were later exposed by erosion. When mapped by geologists the Peaks were found to be masses of granite, granodiorite, and syenodiorite.

The Apishapa Arch.

Among the most unusual features of the Spanish Peaks are the great dikes which radiate out from the mountains like spokes of a wheel. These walls of rock are often spectacular. They are easily visible from the highway on the highway between Cuchara and La Veta north of the peaks (and west of Walsenburg), and pictures of them have been used as type examples in more than one introductory geology textbook. Several can be easily seen up close on back dirt roads

Apishapa Arch.

Apishapa Arch - on the south side of the peaks can actually be driven through

Location in state- Huerfano County lies in the south-central part of the State.

Country - Its western boundary is formed by the Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges, is one continuous range, but called different names in different places..

Sangre de Chisto mountains have a more irregular in Huerfano and in Custer Counties.

The range running east to west extends 48 miles. Sangre de Christo width near the central part is 40 miles north to south.

Area of this range is 960,000 acres (300,000 acres more than the size of the State of Rhode Island.) ..

surface consists of an irregular plateau with many narrow valleys in the east, rising into rugged mountains in the west.

Altitude ranges from 5,690 feet at the north boundary up to over 13,000 feet at the summits of the mountains to the west.

Vegetation - Brush, Cactus on the low lands, Pinon Trees, pine trees and Blue Spruce, Aspen trees in the mountains.

Marijuana was grown here in spots illegally, until 2015, when the moratorium for commercial marijuana was lifted.

Property prices increased 10% after the law legalizing the growth of marijuana, july 2015.The price of property saw an increase of more than 10%

Adjacent counties

• Pueblo County - northeast
• Las Animas County - southeast
• Costilla County - southwest
• Alamosa County - west
• Custer County - northwest
• Saguache County - northwest

Protected areas

• Highway of Legends Laveta Pass

• Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness
• Lathrop State Park
• San Isabel National Forest
• Sangre de Cristo Wilderness

• Spanish Peaks Wilderness

Demographics

In 2000 7,862 people were living in the county with a population density of 5 people/sq. mi. The racial makeup of the county was 80.96% White, 2.75% Black or African American, 2.70% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 9.41% from other races, and 3.71% from two or more races. 35.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In the 2010 census, the population was 6,711, giving a lower population density.. The median income for a household in the county was $25,775, and the median income for a family was $32,664. The per capita income for the county was $15,242. About 14.10% of families and 18.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.70% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over. ^[11]

• Post 2015, Marijuana has become legalized in Colorado. Now there are stores selling it in Walsenburg.

• largest Huerfano County racial/ethnic groups are White (64.7%) followed by Hispanic (34.4%) and American Indian (0.5%).
• 2016, the median household income of Huerfano County residents was $33,257. Huerfano County households made slightly more than Alamosa County households ($32,385) and Saguache County households ($32,457) . There are 17.1% of Huerfano County residents with poverty.

Highways

• State 69
• US 160

Towns

• Walsenburg

• Badito

• Navajo Ranch
• Calumet

• Cuchara

• Farisita

• Gardner

• La Veta

County Resources

• Sheep mountain
• Little Sheep Mountain
• Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness
• Lathrop State Park
• San Isabel National Forest
• Sangre de Cristo Wilderness

• Spanish Peaks Wilderness
• Huerfano Heritage Center
• Ranching
• Hiking

  Gardner, Colorado, small local mountain town has a Sonic Bloom and Hippie Days music events, and rodeo, which draw summer tourists.

Land Grants

• Vigil-St. Vrain grant was one of 197 awarded in New Mexico and Colorado but, with some four million acres, it was the largest. It stretched north from the Raton Mountains to the river "Napeste" (the Arkansas), east from the Sangre de Cristos to the Purgatory and included the modern towns of Trinidad, Rocky Ford, La Junta, Las Animas and Rye as well as all of the present Huerfano County.

• Spanish land grant to Cornelio Vigil and Cerain St Vrain. "Rio Huerfano" and "Rio de las Cucharas" were included in the grant.

Census

1870 --- 2,250 —

1880 --- 4,124 83.3%

1890 --- 6,882 66.9%

1900 --- 8,395 22.0%

1910 --- 13,320 58.7%

1920 --- 16,879 26.7%

1930 --- 17,062 1.1%

1940 --- 16,088 −5.7%

1950 --- 10,549 −34.4%

1960 --- 7,867 −25.4%

1970 --- 6,590 −16.2%

1980 --- 6,440 −2.3%

1990 --- 6,009 −6.7%

2000 --- 7,862 30.8%

2010 --- 6,711 −14.6%

Est. 2016 --- 6,677

Cemeteries

• Category: Gardner Cemetery, Gardner, Colorado
• Category: La Veta Cemetery, La Veta, Colorado
• Category: Old La Veta Cemetery, La Veta, Colorado
• Category: Masonic Cemetery, Walsenburg, Colorado
• Category: North Veta Cemetery, Walsenburg, Colorado
• Saint Mary's South Cemetery, Walsenburg, Colorado

South Saint Mary's Cemetery FindAGrave

Mines

https://colorado.hometownlocator.com/features/cultural,class,mine,scfips,08055.cfm

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huerfano_County,_Colorado
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26} https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/huerfano-county
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13} http://www.cityofwalsenburg.net/steeped-in-history
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9} http://genealogytrails.com/colo/huerfano/history_county.html
5. ↑ ^{5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24 5.25 5.26 5.27 5.28 5.29 5.30 5.31 5.32 5.33 5.34 5.35 5.36 5.37 5.38 5.39 5.40 5.41 5.42 5.43 5.44 5.45} http://www.kmitch.com/Huerfano/hist.html
6. ↑ http://cozine.com/2001-december/colorados-mexican-land-grants/
7. ↑ [Denver Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colorado, Wednesday, January 1, 1902, submitted by Mary Kay Krogman]
8. ↑ https://thediggings.com/usa/colorado/huerfano-co055
9. ↑ https://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/1805/report.pdf
10. ↑ http://cozine.com/2015-november/the-hippies-of-archuletaville/
11. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huerfano_County,_Colorado

• https://www.colorado-demographics.com/huerfano-county-demographics
• Land Patents

• [Source: Mining in Colorado: A History of Discovery, Development and Production, by Charles William Henderson, 1926, submitted by Mary Kay Krogman]
• Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colorado, Wednesday, January 1, 1902
• http://huerfanohistory.org
• https://www.archives.com/search/vital
• http://www.huerfano.us
• https://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/County/Index.cfm?County_ID=4
• https://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/1805/report.pdf
• http://www.kmitch.com/Huerfano/miners.htm