The Spanish in Colorado

[Native1858]

Very nice post. Consider reading this, "Across the Northern Frontier" a very good book about the Spaniards up into Colorado from Taos, and the finding of a lance point in Pueblo West.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[tapoutking]

My parents retired to LaVeta/Cuchara in Huerfano county. I bought my mother a metal detecter a few years ago and I use it every August when I visit. I do believe the area is ripe with Spanish history.

 

[St. Jerome]

my family line goes to the first settlements in colorado and we were there almost a century before the settlements existed. It was hard to start a colony with the comache and the french constantly waring and chasing settlers out. There is a rich heritage waiting for me there. My granfather is from garcia and my grandmother is from san luis. My mother is from alamosa. I know about the symbols and signs used by the jesuits but I know little of the area as I was raised in NM and AZ. I am moving out to that area soon though.

 

[RGINN]

If it wasn't for Santa Ana where I live would now be Mexico. The Spanish were up here, research the well known Escalante expedition. The Spanish were very much interested with riches, and it worked out to send priests in search of pagan souls to convert to the Catholic Church and report back on the mineral prospects. It seems to me on most of these expeditions they sent people who had no more knowledge than I do on differentiating gold from mica schist. The Spanish are represented very well here today, like my wife, my step-kids, and the grand kids. Strangely enough, they consider themselves more related to the indigenous people of Mexico and abhor the Catholic Church for what they did to their ancestors. Old Dog has the best info I've seen on the Spanish in Colorado.

 

[morbiusandneo]

If it wasn't for Santa Ana where I live would now be Mexico. The Spanish were up here, research the well known Escalante expedition. The Spanish were very much interested with riches, and it worked out to send priests in search of pagan souls to convert to the Catholic Church and report back on the mineral prospects. It seems to me on most of these expeditions they sent people who had no more knowledge than I do on differentiating gold from mica schist. The Spanish are represented very well here today, like my wife, my step-kids, and the grand kids. Strangely enough, they consider themselves more related to the indigenous people of Mexico and abhor the Catholic Church for what they did to their ancestors. Old Dog has the best info I've seen on the Spanish in Colorado.

RGINN: I , also "abhor" what they did to the indiginous everywhere they went.It was nothing short of GENOCIDE. It was merely an excuse to get in, saying they were there to save souls. But, Spain's fortunes dwindled after 1588 in Europe,etc....(that's another story...)What the Spanish started, the federal troops finished by the late 1800's.It is documentable that by the time of the Louisiana Purchase, the european "influence" had caused the death of 85%-90% of the indiginous population in North America & Mexico.I estimate that up to 3/4 of those were a direct result of the insatiable european hunger for SILVER, GOLD, precious gems.The other 1/4 was death by contracting european germs which they had zero immunity to....

 

[Native1858]

Another title I just remembered, "Coronado's Children."

 

[Old Dog]

To all...

My "odd job" has kept me busier than usual.
It has developed into an opportunity that would be hard for anyone to turn down.
The company I work for has offered me a chance to return to school and acquire the degree that has eluded me.
they pay me for the time I work for them (45 hrs per week) as well as time spent in the class room (overtime)
They buy my books, they pay my tuition.
I have been doing this for some time and find it taxing on my response time.
Hopefully I will come out with a degree in Psychology. Who knows. (in this economy)

I found the trail head around the Flagstaff AZ area.
Over the last 25 years I walked it. ... Backtracking the signs (you sign people know, That takes time)
I actually ended up at the Junction of the Gunnisson River and the Uniweep Canyon.

I am absolutely sure at this point that Fr. Escalante missed this cross over point because he crossed the Gunnisson 40 miles too early and traveled down the valleys along the North side of the river. If he had been on the South side he would have found the trail as I did.
It has taken almost 23 years to complete this trek.

 

[Oroblanco]

Old Dog wrote

Hopefully I will come out with a degree in Psychology

Man that is GREAT! Congratulations buddy, I know you will do it!
Oroblanco

PS Do you envisage that you might have a reduced, "Treasure-hunters discount" rate for psychiatric services? I might need to look you up!

 

[Old Dog]

My Dear Old Friend...
What makes you think you could buy my help, LOL

Thom

 

[truckinbutch]

Old Dog wrote

Hopefully I will come out with a degree in Psychology

Man that is GREAT! Congratulations buddy, I know you will do it!
Oroblanco

PS Do you envisage that you might have a reduced, "Treasure-hunters discount" rate for psychiatric services? I might need to look you up!

I betcha the Dr will be in for all of us . Question is : Who is in charge of the asylum ?

 

[Oroblanco]

Old Dog wrote

My Dear Old Friend...
What makes you think you could buy my help, LOL

Well amigo, maybe you could tell me where else a fellow might find a treatment for a terminal case of GOLD FEVER? Besides, who said the psychiatric treatment was for me?

 

[Old Dog]

I like to think that no matter the situation I would have time to discuss anything with any friend who was around.
Especially if they were to offer a cuppa as incentive. LOL

 

[truckinbutch]

You always make time for your friends , Buddy All of us are behind you . Go for it !
Jim

 

[Old Dog]

Thanks guys for understanding,
School and work really cut into this treasure hunting,
But ...
The work is all weekend strictly, and the school is Wednesdays and Thursdays.
So...
I do get to play some.