Post (C) by Doris McCraw
aka Angela Raines
 |
| Colorado Front Range Image (C) Doris McCraw |
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 150th anniversary of Colorado becoming a state.
For those who may not know, Ulysses S. Grant signed the paperwork granting statehood to Colorado. To say he was popular in this part of the West would not be taken amiss.
Grant first visited the Colorado Territory in 1875. Although the residents of the Territory began the process in 1864, and a Constitutional Convention in 1865.
1862 Map of the Colorado Territory
from the Library of Congress
Grant made three visits to Colorado, with the final visit in 1880. That year, he traveled from New Mexico Territory, through Pueblo to Colorado Springs. From there, he headed to Salida, taking a four-horse stage over Monarch Pass and down into Gunnison. There he toured the Taylor Park district, where one of my favorite mining towns, Tin Cup, is located. He returned to Salida and took the Denver & Rio Grande to Leadville via the new spur that had just been completed. (Author Ann Parker wrote a novel, "Silver Lies," that includes Grant's trip to Leaville)
As August 1, 2026, closes in, I will be telling more stories about the Colorado Territory prior to statehood and maybe a few just after that August 1, 1876, date.
For those who enjoy little-known facts, here's a link you might enjoy: 11 Things on Colorado's Journey to Statehood.
Until next time
Doris
