Native Roots: American Indians in Early Denver Walking Tour

By Shawn Snow

“Nothing Lives Long, Only the Earth and the Mountains”

This quote, attributed to White Antelope, a Cheyenne Indian, speaks volumes to the fate faced by the native populations of the Western Hemisphere after 1492.  Devastated by disease, warfare and mistreatment, native peoples have nonetheless persevered to the present day.  For American Indians in Colorado, the story does not simply begin with the foundation of Denver in 1858, but hundreds of years before that with the arrival of the horse via Spanish explorers.  Thus began a sustained interaction between European explorers, trappers and traders and American Indians.  Up until 1858, there had been no permanent settlements in the Denver area for Euro-Americans.  This changed with the discovery of gold near the banks of Cherry Creek.  While the Arapahoe Indians initially welcomed the “settlers” to the area, they had no way of knowing these latest arrivals were planning to stay put.  Not content to simply pass through, a new world was taking shape.  Consequently, these early years in Denver offered a chance for trade and interaction that quickly turned sour and eventually devastated the Arapahoe, Cheyenne and other Indians of Colorado.  Atrocities occurred on both sides as increased warfare led to an ultimate “battle” that we know today as the Sand Creek Massacre.

Join Shawn Snow, Public Programs Manager of History Colorado, on this interesting and eye-opening walking tour where we will start with a guided walk at sunrise of the Native Roots / Modern Form exhibition here at the Gardens featuring sculptures by renowned American Indian artist, Allan Houser.

Following Shawn’s lead, we will continue this summer day with a walking tour of lower downtown Denver learning about early interactions between Arapahoe Indians and white settlers in early Denver —a time when Arapahoe Indians had their teepees near 15th and Blake while cabins were being constructed on Larimer Street.   The tour will highlight how this world around the Platte River was changing in 1858-1859.

Itinerary

8am – Tour of the Native Roots / Modern Form exhibition at Denver Botanic Gardens

9:30am – Breakfast at the Gardens’ café (not included in price)

10:13am – RTD bus into downtown Denver

10:30am – Walking tour

12:30 pm – After the tour, we’ll hop on an RTD bus to Tocabe, a traditional American Indian restaurant, returning downtown afterward. Bring some money or some gold dust for your lunch!

Join us by registering online or calling 720-865-3580.

The tour is a collaboration between Denver Botanic Gardens and History Colorado.

Guest Blogger: Shawn Snow
Shawn is a fifth generation Denverite with a passion for local history as viewed through the lives of everyday citizens.  Author of Denver’s City Park and Whittier Neighborhoods, Mr. Snow also works full-time for History Colorado-the Colorado Historical Society as their Tour Director and Public Programs Coordinator.  He also spends time as an expert guide for Denver History Tours, a local touring company.  His knowledge and expertise includes urban planning, historic preservation and the history of the Denver Public Schools.  He holds Master’s Degrees in both urban and regional planning and public administration from the University of Colorado at Denver.