The sand creek massacre also known as the chivington massacre, the battle of sand creek or the massacre of cheyenne indians was an atrocity in the american indian wars that occurred on november 29, 1864, when a 700man force of colorado territory militia attacked and destroyed a peaceful village of cheyenne and arapaho in southeastern colorado territory,3 killing and mutilating an. Visitors to the site today can hike along a milelong trail to a monument area overlooking big sandy creek itself. The site is composed by a trail that leads to a hill, where there is a commemorative monolith with the date of the events thereon. This 14mile public greenway connects the high line canal in aurora, colorado with the south platte river greenway in commerce city.
The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. The 1864 sand creek massacre is one of the most disturbing and controversial events in american history. Aug 16, 2006 the trail is a 600mile link between the wind river reservation and the location of the sand creek massacre in colorado. Unfortunately, such high density doesnt directly mean high catch rates. The sand creek regional greenway is a jewel in the necklace of trails that has made denver a national model for linked trail systems. The trail passes through denver and lakewood as it winds its way through cottonwood filled parks, including the bear creek greenbelt. Sand creek massacre trail to be designated democratic. The search for the site of the sand creek massacre. About years after the sand creek massacre, the 1990s, florence blunt 18941969was going through two stored trunks of a family member who was a rancher who was in the habit of taking supplies to fort lyon before and after the sand creek massacre. I went down with him to what is called the forks of the sandy.
Army colonel john chivington attacked and destroyed a village of. The sand creek massacre 8 hours that changed the great plains forever. The sand creek massacre, occurring on november 29, 1864, was one of the most infamous incidents of the indian wars. Sand creek massacre national historic site colorado 2020. At dawn, approximately 675 soldiers of the 1st and 3rd regiments, colorado volunteer u. The sand creek massacre national historic site is located to the east of eads, in colorado, united states. A few basic park facilities have been opened at this site. Sand creek massacre national historic site remembers the cheyenne and arapaho native americans involved in the sand creek massacre. Legendary peace chief black kettle believed he was leading his people into safety under the protection of the us army, but instead found his home the site of one of the most atrocious. Army soldiers brutally killed about 500 mostly women, children and elderly arapaho and cheyenne. Sand creek is among our nations most profound historic places. While its historical significance is undisputed, the exact location of the massacre has been less clear.
The national historic site has gained some features since my 3 earlier visits that really aid the visitor. Two descendants of a survivor of the 1864 sand creek massacre will talk about the event and its effects at a free program at the national historic trails interpretive center at 2 p. Alongside the trail, there are ten informative signs that tell the story. Bear creek trail map the bear creek trail is a paved multiuse trail that runs from the south platte river west to bear creek lake regional park. The northern arapaho tribe will join the state of wyoming to designate the sand creek massacre trail today. The site is about 170 miles 270 km southeast of denver and about 125 miles 200 km east of pueblo. The sand creek massacre also known as the chivington massacre, the battle of sand creek or the massacre. The sand creek massacre modified version of awardwinning. As 675 cavalrymen came around a prairie bend, the camps of chiefs black kettle, white antelope, and left hand lay in the valley before them. Soon, however, the sand creek massacre was recognized for what it. You will need a 4x4 with high clearance to get to the actual trailhead as the last 2. About 500 american indians will travel to the sand creek monument in eads to commemorate the 152nd anniversary of the sand creek massacre. Northern arapaho tribal members will join state officials on the cheyenne depot plaza at 3.
Each november, an annual sand creek spiritual healing runwalk commemorates those killed in the sand creek massacre, providing healing for all people, regardless of ethnicity, race, or religion. Aug 16, 2006 northern arapaho tribal members will join state officials on the cheyenne depot plaza at 3. The sand creek massacre also known as the chivington massacre, the battle of sand creek or the massacre of cheyenne indians was a massacre of cheyenne and arapaho people by the u. This is a satellite site of fort phil kearny, and it and the wagon box fight site are both within five miles of the visitor center the grounds are open yearround as weather permits. Native american warfare was savage and bloody with few prisoners being taken or scalped, tortured, and mutilated. Based on national and local guidance for the covid19 outbreak, the sand creek visitor centers and park stores are closed. The incident was a chief cause of the arapahocheyenne war that followed. On november 29, 1864, peaceful southern cheyenne and arapahoe indians are massacred by a band of colonel john chivingtons colorado volunteers at.
Wyoming designates trail to mark sand creek massacre. Army troops at the sand creek massacre in colorado, john chivington was born in lebanon, ohio on january 27, 1821. Start at the music pass trail head south of westcliffe, colorado off county road 119. Sand creek massacre national historic site wikipedia. See more ideas about native american history, american history and history. The search for the site of the sand creek massacre national. Sand creek massacre and the forgotten murder of 200 native. The american battlefield trusts downloadable map of the november 29, 1864, battle of sand creek, colorado, also known as the sand creek massacre. Sand creek massacre trail miniscule guide to cheyenne. The sand creek massacre also known as the chivington massacre, the battle of sand creek or the massacre of cheyenne indians was an atrocity in the indian wars of the united states that occurred on november 29, 1864, when a 700man force of colorado territory militia attacked and destroyed a village of friendly cheyenne and arapaho. Pbs the west documents on the sand creek massacre 18641865. Nov 25, 2019 sand creek massacre on november 29, 1864, peaceful southern cheyenne and arapahoe indians are massacred by a band of colonel john chivingtons colorado volunteers at sand creek, colorado. Sand creek boasts an average of 600 pounds per mile.
Sand creek trail from platte river trail in denver colorado. Gear up in central park, denver, and get ready for a half marathon through the stunning natural preserve of bluff lake nature center, conquer the hills of the sand creek trail, and sprint on the fast and flat stretches of westerly creek. Otherwise, park at the crape creek th and walk the 2. Sand creek massacre, surprise attack by about 675 u. Accelerated by the sand creek massacre, the two sides slipped down a downward spiral of vicious battle from the end of the civil war until the 1890s. The horrific sand creek massacre will be forgotten no more. In the footsteps of anne frank, the beatles and vincent.
Sand creek trail is set in a beautiful, mostly wooded area and is open yearround. My shame is as big as the earth massacre at sand creek. Sand creek massacre national historic site commemorates the november 29, 1864, attack on a village of about 700 southern cheyenne and. Some tribal leaders proclaimed friendship with the white territorial government and were promised the protection of nearby forts. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Although the cheyenne and arapaho, under chiefs black kettle. Sand creek massacre national historic site colorado. Sand creek massacre witness accounts in 7 hours, the. Colonel john chivington hero to murderer legends of.
Dec 12, 2017 thus, prior to the archaeological survey of the sand creek massacre site, greene primarily based on an analysis of the bonsall map and its comparison to the 1936 1937 aerial photographs concluded that the village attacked by chivingtons troops on november 29, 1864, was approximately one mile north of the vee of the dawson south bend. Sand creek massacre monument and bluffs colorado trail explorer. The fort phil kearny visitor center is open daily all day april 1november 30 and. A short version of the awardwinning sand creek massacre documentary film by award. Sand creek regional greenway colorado trails traillink. Trails center hosts sand creek massacre exhibit wyoming.
Brown trout are among the most wary trout to catch, and in the crystal clear, glassy waters of this spring creek, the slightest shadow or false cast can send them scurrying. The event remains a powerful, and to some, sacred symbol of sacrifice and struggle. The southern end of the trail, through denver and aurora, has a soft surface, which can make for a dusty ride when its dry. The fetterman battlefield is located 20 miles south of sheridan, wyo. The sand creek massacre trail in wyoming follows the paths of the northern arapaho and cheyenne in the years after the massacre. American indian tribes commemorate colorados sand creek. I have been told that you can make a large loop by connecting the platte river trail. Two examples are the sand creek massacre, november 28, 1864 for the cheyenne and arapahoe tribes and the 911 2001 event in lower manhattan for the relatives of the victims of the collapsing world trade towers, for the new york city firefighters, members of the international business community with offices in the two world trade towers. On november 29, 1864, seven hundred members of the colorado territory militia embarked on an attack of cheyenne and arapaho indian villages. John milton chivington 18211894 a hero in the battle of glorieta pass in new mexico, and the infamous commander of the u.
Colonel john chivington hero to murderer legends of america. Sand creek massacre national historic site commemorates the november 29, 1864, attack on a village of about 700 southern cheyenne and arapaho people along sand creek. Sand creek massacre national historic site cipdh unesco. From its trailhead at memorial grove to the north loop paralleling i5, and then back to memorial grove, the trail is in excess of two miles long. This is a satellite site of fort phil kearny, and it and the wagon box fight site are both within five miles of the visitor center. Cavalry, killed more than 230 cheyenne and arapaho over the course of seven hours. Indian survivors drew maps of the attack, painted it on elk hides and told of the massacre to their descendants. The sand creek regional greenway follows sand creek in denvers northeast metro area. Sand creek massacre site 910 wansted st, eads, co 81036 sand creek massacre national historic site 55411 county road w, eads, co 81036 legal. Depiction of the sand creek massacre by cheyenne eyewitness and artist howling wolf. Because the site is sacred ground for cheyenne and arapaho indians, the question of its location is more than academic. Sand creek massacre trail to be designated indianz.
The hike at sand creek massacre is a short one, following a wide dirt trail from the. Army in the american indian wars that occurred on november 29, 1864, when a 675man force of the third colorado cavalry under the command of u. Sand creek was a village of approximately 800 cheyenne indians in southeast colorado. Nov, 2019 the sand creek massacre 8 hours that changed the great plains forever. Jul 15, 2012 for sand creek massacre educational viewings go to.
The sand creek massacrebattle was an atrocity that had repercussions on the great plains for years. Apr 03, 2020 national park service logo national park service. Initially reported in the press as a victory against a bravely fought defense by the cheyenne, later eyewitness testimony conflicted with these reports, resulting in a military and two congressional investigations into the events. As you are going north on the platte river trail, youll come to the sand creek trail, on your right east, just before you cross clear creek and come to the clear creek trail intersection. John chivington, a methodist preacher, as well as a freemason. Sand creek greenway wilderness in the city sand creek. Sand creek november 29, 1864 american battlefield trust. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and road biking.
Oct 11, 2018 most modern americans are familiar with the bloody legacies of the trail of tears and wounded knee, but the sand creek massacre, one of the most vicious in the countrys history, has been nearly forgotten. Sand creek massacre monument and bluffs featured route. Nine benches are installed along the trail to allow users of the trail to rest and to enjoy the surrounding nature. Chivington upon a camp of cheyenne and arapaho people in southeastern colorado territory in november 1864. Jan 21, 2012 three artistic views of the sand creek massacre trail sign. Wilderness in the city sand creek regional greenway. Colonel john chivington, sand creek massacre, 11291864. By late 1864, mistrust between the indians and white settlers on the plains of the western u. On november 29th, colonel john chivington, leading over 600 colorado territory militia soldiers from nearby fort lyon, attacked the sand. Santa fe trail sand creek massacre colorado scenic. Sand creek massacre national historic site is a national historic site in kiowa county, colorado, near eads and chivington in kiowa county commemorating the sand creek massacre that occurred here on november 29, 1864. The brutality that followed was as gruesome as any conflict in united states history. Legacy of the sand creek massacre on the morning of nov.