State Historical Society of Colorado Markers

Northeast Colorado - High Plains Country

Cheyenne, Elbert, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, and Yuma Counties

Click on thumbnails to see larger images.

Sand Creek Massacre
Kiowa County
Chivington - A lone wooden sign located on CO-96 in Kiowa County east of Eads
(photo, taken in 1996, from tripod.com)

November 29, 1864, was an unforgettable day for the Cheyenne and Arapaho. On the banks of Sand Creeek, 8 miles north and 1 miles east of here, stood a camp of about 100 Cheyenne and some 10 Arapaho lodges established, by what may have been taken as the order of the U.S. Army Commander at nearby Fort Lyon. According to Indian tradition, early that morning Cheyenne hunters reported that soldiers were approaching. Black Kettle, a leader and spokesman for the camp, hoisted an American Flag to convey that the camp was peaceful. Ignoring the signal, volunteer militia, led by Colonel John M. Chivington, attacked killing all in their path. With many of the men away, organized resistance was impossible. When the tragic day was over, more than 137 Indian people, mostly women and children, lay dead, their bodies mutilated. The brutal attack was denounced in congressional hearings, but none of the participants was punished. Erected by the Colorado Historical Society, the Colorado Native Council, and the … Mrs. J. N. Hall Foundation. 1986.

Battle of Summit Springs
Logan County
On CO-63, 3/4 mile south of Atwood.
N 40°32'07" W 103°15'59"
photos taken 3/29/08
              
This tablet is the property of the State of Colorado. 13 miles southeast from this point is the site of the Battle of Summit Springs. Last engagement with plains Indians in Colorado, July 11, 1869. Cheyennes who raided western Kansas were attacked by General E. A. Carr with the Fifth U.S. Cavalry and Pawnee scouts under Maj. Frank North. Two white captives were held by the Indians; one (Mrs. Alderdice) was killed. The other (Mrs. Weichel) was rescued. Chief Tall Bull and 51 Indians killed. Erected by the State Historical Society of Colorado from the Mrs. J. N. Hall Foundatation and by Boy Scout Troop No.18 of Sterling, Colorado, 1934.

Fort Wicked
Logan County
On US-6 south of Merino, 1/2 mile north of Washington / Logan County line. Marked by "Point of Interest, 1000 feet" highway sign.
N 40°26'39" W 103°22'44"
photos taken 3/29/08
              
This memorial is the property of the State of Colorado. Due west 940 feet stood Fort Wicked, originally Godfrey's Ranch. Famous Overland Stage station, one of the few posts withstanding the Indian uprising of 1864 on the road to Colorado. Named from the bitter defence made by Holon Godfrey. Erected by the State Historical Society of Colorado from the Mrs. J. N. Hall Foundatation and by the Sterling Chamber of Commerce, 1929.

Valley Station
Logan County
1 1/4 miles southeast of Sterling and 1/4 mile north of I-76 on US-6 at the Overland Trail Museum.
N 40°37'07" W 103°10'53"
photos taken 3/29/08
              
This tablet is the property of the State of Colorado. 3.8 miles north along country road is the site of Valley Station. Built in 1859 as a stagecoach station of the Leavenworth and Pikes Peak Express. Station on the Overland Trail to California, 1862-67. Indian war outpost, 1864-65. Once defended by a breastwork of sacks of shelled corn. Erected by the State Historical Society of Colorado from the Mrs. J. N. Hall Foundatation and by Troop No. 16, Sterling Scouts, B.S.A., 1933.

Colorado
Sedgwick County
In Julesburg, on north side of US-183 between Oak and Elm Streets. Sign was erected in 1956.
N 40°59'15" W 102°15'39"
photos taken 4/3//08
              
Entering the Centennial State. Colorado. Here on the Great Plains where the ramparts of the Rocky Mountains still lie some hours westward, the mountain state welcomes you. This highway leads up the valley of the South Platte River to Denver. In 1859 and 1860 the gold rush carried thousands westward along this trail, in wagons, on horseback, with handcarts and on foo, seeking fortune. They saw then an empty land, traversed only by nomad Indian bands who followed great dark herds of buffalo, often miles in extent. Towns like Julesburg soon grew from stage stations armed against Indian attack. In the 1870's the first rails were laid almost in the wagon ruts. Today the highway traverses bountiful lands and substantial cities.

Colorado
Sedgwick County
South of Julesburg at I-76 rest area.
photos taken 12/27/08
           

        

Colorado's Northeast Corner
Sedgwick County
From I-80 Exit 107 (Big Springs, NE), 3 miles south on road 209, 1 mile east on road 36.3 / 2 (Colorado / Nebraska state line).
N 41°00'09" W 102°03'06"
photos taken 3/29/08
                    
           
This tablet is the property of the State of Colorado. Colorado's Northeast Corner. The organic act creating the Territory of Colorado was signed by President Buchanan on February 28, 1861. The act carved from the Territories of Kansas, Nebraska, Utah, and New Mexico the 104,247 square miles that became the 38th state in 1876. The original survey establishing this boundary point was completed by Oliver N. Chaffee on October 7, 1869 and recorded on a six foot limestone shaft set in a circular earth mound centered at the intersection of the 25th meridian west from Washington, D.C. and the 41st parallel north from the equator. At its time of replacement in 1976, the broken shaft, orginally inscribed on the north, 25 W.L; east, Nebraska; west 41 N.L.; and south, 68 M.79 CH. and 59 LKS (the distance between the 40th and 41st parrallels) was badly eroded. When resurveyed, the new inscription cited the now standard Greenwhich reference for the longitudinal measurement. Erected by the State Historical Society of Colorado and the people of Sedgwick County through the Mrs. J. N. Hall Foundatation, 1977.

Fort Sedgwick
Sedgwick County
At eastern edge of Ovid, on south side of US-183.
N 40°57'39" W 102°23'03"
photos taken 4/2/08
           
This memorial is the property of the State of Colorado. Due south 1 1/4 miles is the site of Fort Sedgwick. Established in September, 1864, as a United States Army post. Called Camp Rankin and Post Julesburg. Name changed in November, 1865, to honor General John Sedgwick, who was killed at Spottsylvania May 9, 1864. The fort protected the stage line and emigrant trains from Indians. Abandoned in May, 1871. From this fort Sedgwick County derives its name. Erected by the State Historical Society of Colorado from the Mrs. J. N. Hall Foundatation and the Julesburg Historical Society, 1940.

Old Julesburg
Sedgwick County
From Ovid, 1.5 miles south on road 27 (or just north of I-76, exit 172), then 1.5 miles east on road 28.
N 40°56'20" W 102°21'42"
photos taken 4/3/08
                    
This memorial is the property of the State of Colorado. Due north 1235 feet is the original site of Old Julesburg. Named for Jules Beni, whose trading post was established at the "upper crossing" of the Platte prior to 1860. Junction of Oregon and Overland Trails. Pony express station 1860-61. Overland stage station 1859-65. Burned in Indian raid Feb 2, 1865. Erected by the State Historical Society of Colorado from the Mrs. J. N. Hall Foundatation and by the citizens of Sedgwick County, Colorado, 1931.

Summit Springs Battlefield
Washington County
South of Atwood. From I-76, exit 115, south 4.7 miles on CO-63 (county line, marked by "Point of Interest, 5 Miles" highway sign), 3.9 miles east on CR-60, east about 1.0 mile on private road (which was chained off on 3/29/08).
N 40°26'13" W 103°09'00" (coordinates at point where road was closed)
photos taken 3/29/08
           
This memorial is the property of the State of Colorado. Summit Springs Battlefield. Fleeing after a series of bloody raids on the Kansas frontier, a band of 450 marauding Cheyenne dog soldiers led by Tall Bull (Tatonka Haska) camped here. On the afternoon of July 11, 1869, 300 men of the 5th Cavalry and the Pawnee scouts under Gen. E.A. Carr made a successful surprise attack on the camp. Chief Tall Bull was among the 52 Indians killed in the battle; 418 horses and mules were captured, and 84 lodges wer put to the torch. Fifth Cavalry scout Buffalo Bill Cody later made this last Plains Indian battle in Colorado a regular feature of his Wild West Show. Erected by the State Historical Society of Colorado and the Sterling Lions Club and the Logan County Commissioners, 1966.

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Last modified: September 21, 2009