This week marks the 160th anniversary of the establishment of the Colorado territory in 1861. Normally on our time travel, we go to the point of the historic anniversary. Since the actual establishment was done in Congress and there is the potential of catching a rash when we go near Washington, we will travel to Colorado. We want to observe how the population is taking the news. Since most of the Colorado people are involved one way or another in gold mining, we will be seeing a lot of miners. We don’t want to cause a tear in the time continuum, so we need to have our list handy.
James Wainwright’s 1956 Oldsmobile from Eternal Road – The final stop. You should read this one on Amazon. Just click the car to go there. Hurry back.
Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Creation of the Colorado Territory in 1861 by John W. Howell © 2021
10 If you go, do not stand in a minor’s claim on Pike’s Peak. If you do, at best, the miner will be at the saloon. At worst, you’ll be taken for a claim jumper. (You know how it is, Marlin. These guys are jumpy around strangers. That shotgun looks like it’s loaded. might be time to go.)
9 If you go, do not ask Tiny, the WWF champ, if he ever played for the Denver Broncos. If you do, at best, he will be busy panning for gold. At worst, he will think you are teasing him. (Tiny has missed that last seven group sessions on positive self-image, Marlyssa. He thinks you are wondering if he ever played with horses and has taken offense. Don’t worry, the way down isn’t very long. Oops didn’t know he was tossing you off of Pike’s Peak.)
8 If you go, do not ask the saloon keep for a Mountain Brewed Coors. If you do, at best, he’ll just wait on someone else. At worst, he’ll deploy the famous mallet that he keeps behind the bar. (You see Marq, Adolf Coors began brewing beer in 1873, so the saloon keeper never heard of it. Like Tiny, he can’t believe he doesn’t know something, so your head being kissed by the mallet explains it all.)
7 If you go, do not ask for a cheeseburger at the local restaurant. If you do, at best, no one will know what you mean. At worst, you’ll be served something you can’t identify. (The reason is, Marquise, although you heard the cheeseburger was invented in Denver, it wasn’t until 1935. Go ahead and eat that ground cheese.)
6 If you go, do not ask for directions to the rodeo. If you do, at best, you’ll get puzzled looks. At worst, those you ask will wonder where you call home. (Although the first rodeo was held in Deer trail, Colorado, in 1869, Marsh, you are a little ahead of your time. A couple of those roughnecks are wondering if you are going to ride that bull. Saying no does not look like an option.)
5 If you go, do not ask if anyone found a gold nugget. If you do, at best, folks will think you are nuts. At worst, they may think you are a con man. (The largest piece of gold found in Colorado was a 156 troy-ounce ( 10.76 pounds) piece of pocket gold found by Tom Groves in 1887 in Breckenridge. Most of the Denver area’s gold was placer gold in small pieces or dust, Mattainn. Looks like the Sherrif wants to talk to you.)
4 If you go, do not mention the total output of all the mines in Colorado. If you do, at best, they won’t believe you. At worst, they will think you are from another planet. (You should have kept your mouth shut, Martinien. Telling everyone that total gold production from the area would be over 1,155 tons made you look like an idiot. Here comes a gang of well-wishers with torches. Hope you like rail riding with tar and feathers.)
3 If you go, do not try to sell Pike’s Peak or Bust t-shirts. If you do, at best, no one will be interested. At worst, you’ll sell hundreds. (You now have a big problem, Marven. The T-shirt was not invented until after 1898, when the Navy issued them as standard underwear. How are you going to find someone to make them? I think you better give refunds pronto.)
2 If you go, do not do any strenuous exercise until you are used to the altitude. If you do, at best, you’ll just faint. At worst, you’ll get a case of altitude sickness. (You don’t want to fall off a mountain, Masoud. That first step can be a long one. Can you scream for 10,000 feet?)
1 If you go, do not argue with anyone about being able to stand where four states come together. If you do, at best, there is no money placed on a bet. At worst, your new BMW is now owned by a grisly miner. (It is possible to be in more than two states at the same time, Matchithew. In Colorado’s southwest corner, the state borders three others, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The Four Corners Monument is where to stand in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah at the same time. I wonder how that guy is going to get your BMW. It is sitting back in 2021. No, he’s not coming with us.)
Fiction Favorites 
I could definitely scream for 10,000 feet! Great list, John. Happy Monday!
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Thank you, Jill. I hope you have a great week.
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Surprised anyone would argue that 4 state thing. Thought that was common knowledge just from looking at a map.
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Not sure they would but I couldn’t think of another in the ten. 😁
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I’d probably be the one who fell off the mountain. BUT I’d enjoy the view! Another teaching episode and with laughter, love it. Thank you, John. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. 😁
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I’d like to ask Tiny if the show “Last Man Standing” was actually filmed in Denver.
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He would probibly say, “I think the last man standing is me.” You will have to imagine why he believes that as you take a quick look at the passing scenery. 😁
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This is really interesting for some personal reasons. My gr-gr-grandfather was panning for gold in Colorado after the Civil War began. He came back to Iowa after Lincoln called for more volunteers (in 1862) and helped form one of the state’s regiments. The 34th Iowa was mustered into U.S. service on October 15,1862. Now I’m wondering if he was tempted toward Colorado when they were made a territory in 1861. In any event, I’ll bet Gramps and Tiny would have gotten along.
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Sounds like your gr-gr- grndfather was an original. Great story, Linda. He might have gone to Colorado before 1861. The Pike’s Peak discovery was in 1858.
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Does it help if I begin my question, “no offense Mr. Tiny Sir” ?I’m getting rug burn from these landings, and that rug hasn’t been cleaned in a while. Uh oh, I think he took that as an insult to his housekeeping skills. Where are the keys?
Great list, John. I didn’t know the cheeseburger was invented out there.
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Thank you, Dan. As a favor to you Tiny sent the rug out for cleaning. Doesn’t help right now though. That rock burn might be a little more hurtful.
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Great tidbits in this one. Thanks for this week’s history lesson.
(I’m sure you know how Denver was named and that’s a hoot.)
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It was named after James Denver who the group thought was the governor of the Kansas territory but he resigned to head up indian affairs. Another story is the group had not decided on a name. As they approached Kansas they had good luck in hunting and decided to throw a game feast. They invited Denver and gave the town his name. He was late to the event. The last story has been debunked by historians. Thanks, Andrew.
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Had to laugh at Pike’s Peak or Bust. Good list, John!
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Thank you, Teri. 😁
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I can’t help feeling relieved our trip took us to Colorado, not Washington — a rash I can do without, ha! Thanks for the info on the T-shirt; I really didn’t know that. Nor did I know about the cheeseburger (seems like that’s been around forever!)
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Thank you, Debbie. 😁
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To put things into perspective the one thing we never want to say on any of these Monday missives is ‘ I just have a Tiny problem.’ Just sayin…
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Wise words, John
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My favorite place in the world sounds a bit fab, doesn’t it?! Ha. Great
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I love Colorado.
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A good list, John. I’m always hoping to run across a 10 pound piece of gold when swimming in the river:)
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Me too. I would even risk a toe stub. 😁
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Well Done!
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Thank you, Billy Ray. 😁
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Interesting stuff, John. I did not know the first rodeo was held in Colorado. The things we learn here. And that’s not even counting all the great tips. 🙂 Good one, John!
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I’m glad you could learn something new, Jan. Thanks for letting me know.
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This is so interesting, John. American history is similar to South African history in a number of ways, including the gold rushes.
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Yes indeed it is. Thank you, Robbie.
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This was during the Civil War. Hmm. The expression, I’ve been to the rodeo before, who knew it all began in Colorado. And no T-shirts till 1898? I am so glad I was born later. I just saw the wild west in action…bulls, gunfights, James Denver, John Denver…wonder if they were related…all that Rocky Mountain High business he sang about. So much history out there. I’ll tell ya John.
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James Denver alone is worth reading about. He came to hate Denver because no one treated him very well when he visited. Thanks for the comment.
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Wonder how he treated everyone else. Expectations can be disappointing.
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Welll he was a lawyer, general in the army, and politician. He probably made a few enemies.
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BINGO…ego city. Humility is a hard trait to come by, especially for the swaggering. I like the phrase…take the highroad, it has less traffic, even on a horse. Thanks John. Nice waking up to you. 🙂
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Then there is this tidbit. Denver died in Washington, D.C., supposedly just a few moments after the “sundown gun” fired from a local barracks. A friend who sat by his bedside is said to have remarked,
“What a fitting time for a soldier to die.” He did. Nice waking up to you as well. 😊
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Great line, right out of a film. 🙂
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Yup. Fade to black. 😁
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FINI
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Like a Fillini film.
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Si. 🙂
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Eccellente
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magnifique
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fabuleuse
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I’m runnin’ outta bad French John. C’est la vie.
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I know how you feel. I took four years in high school and one year in college and I hit a brick wall all this time. One more Non, Je ne regrette rien. Some entertainment. https://youtu.be/Q3Kvu6Kgp88
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🙂
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Those old mining camps were wild places. Thanks for the tour.
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Yes they were. Thanks for taking the tour.
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My favorite bit was in the introduction: “Since the actual establishment was done in Congress and there is the potential of catching a rash when we go near Washington, we will travel to Colorado.”
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Hahahaha. Now you know how I feel about the place. Have had the same feeling for decades. Thanks, Liz.
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Not enough calamine lotion in the world to relieve that rash, eh?
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Nope. Must be allergic.
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Interesting facts of the history of Colorado. These old mining camps in the pictures are amazing. Great tour
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Thank you. 😁
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out another great list from John Howell via his fiction favorites blog. This one is the TOP TEN THINGS NOT TO DO AT THE CREATION OF THE COLORADO TERRITORY IN 1861
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Thank you, Don
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You’re welcome.
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You are an endless font of information, John! Now I realise that a famous lemonade comes from there, too… (had no clue why it was called Pikes Peak – duh!)
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I’n so happy to serve. Glad you enjoyed the post , Dale. 🤗 Thanks for letting me know.
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I did and I love when, through humour, we still learn
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I think humor can help us all remember. Thanks again, Dale
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Truth!
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😂
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The Broncos WISH they ever had Tiny on their roster. And a ground cheese sammie doesn’t sound too bad. With an adult beverage not named Coors? It might do just fine.
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Heat it up between two slices of sourdough and you have something. Thanks, Mark
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Boom!
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😋
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Love the t-shirt snippet, John. Thanks for the great history lesson!
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My pleasure of course, Lauren. 😁 I’m glad you liked it.
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Classic Tiny- Broncos, horse. Thank goodness this was done in Colorado. Can you imagine Tiny with a rash in Washington?
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He would not like that for sure.
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😀
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😊
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How do you think a suggestion of buying tech stock on NASDAQ instead of panning for gold would have been taken?
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As a voice from outer space. 😁
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