Cottonwood Grove

Fifteen miles above the Arkansas Crossing was a grove of large cottonwood trees. In time this grove became a favorite campsite for travelers following the old trail along Fountain Creek. As early as the mid-1830’s an alternate trail – usually referred to as the Chico Cutoff – led southeast from Cottonwood Grove to the mouth of Chico Creek, then east along the Arkansas River to a junction with the Santa Fe Trail at Bents Old Fort.

The Old Trail (now a ranch road) Leading Out Of Cottonwood Grove

Captain Lemul Ford, 30 July 1835.

Captain Ford does not mention Cottonwood Grove by name, although it was obviously there that Dodge’s Dragoons turned left onto what would become known as the Chico Cutoff.

“Thirty-six miles from the point where the Fontaine qui bouille emerges from the mountains, we left that stream to the right and pursued our march over a beautiful rolling prairie, to the Arkansas river.”

Source: "A Summer Upon the Prairie," by Captain Lemul Ford, Army and Navy Chronicle, Vols. II & III, 1836.

John Dubois, 1 April 1858.

Second Lieutenant John Dubois was in command of twenty-five mounted riflemen escorting the Marcy supply train from Fort Union, N.M., to Fort Bridger. He referred to the Chico Cutoff as the Arkansas Emigrant Trail.

”April 1st Resumed our march, following up the Fontain que Bouille over a beautiful country until we reached the "Arkansas Emigrant Trail~" Here we encamped. It was a beautiful spot in a grove of large cottonwood.”

Source: Campaigns in the West 1856-1861, ed. by George P. Hammond. (Tucson: Arizona Pioneers West Society, 1949).

Members of the Lawrence Party, 4 July 1858.

These gold seekers from Lawrence, Kansas Territory, had followed the Santa Fe Trail west, then traveled up the Chico Cutoff to Fountain Creek. They arrived at Cottonwood Grove just in time to celebrate Independence Day. Each gold seeker seemed to view the ensuing festivities in a different light.

Augustus Voorhees.

“Left the river this morning. Crossed the bluffs and struck the creek fifteen miles above the old town (the Pueblo) and camped. Struck the road from Taos to Fort Bridger. The stream is very swift.”

Source: "Diary of Augustus Voorhees," Pikes Peak Gold Rush Guidebooks of 1859, ed. by LeRoy R. Hafen. (Glendale, Calif.: The Arthur H. Clark Co., 1941)

Julia Holmes.

“The next morning we bid farewell to the Arkansas River, whose company we had kept three hundred miles. Traveling but fifteen miles, the train camped early this evening, in order to celebrate the ‘glorious fourth.’ This was done by consuming what little whiskey remained among the members.”

Source: A Bloomer Girl on Pike's Peak 1858, edited by Agnes Wright Spring. (Denver: Denver Public Library, 1949)

Jason T. Younker.

“The next day being the 4th of July our party determined to remain in camp and celebrate. Accordingly, after breakfast "Bill" Prentis, who assumed to be our military commander, formed the boys in line and drilled us in the manual of arms, some using their guns, some whip-stocks and sticks as weapons. After drilling us a short time our commander made a patriotic harrangue to us, saying we might be attacked by Indians before night and he wanted us to discharge our duties fatihfully. He then went to his wagon and brought a pint cup and his demijohn of 'snake-bite antidote' and passing along the line gave each one a supply of 'ammunition' as he expressed it, repeating the supply after each drilling bout. Later in the day, as Prentis got more patriotic himself he issued the edict that any man who didn't get gloriously drunk that day would be court-martialed! Suffice to say there was no whisper next day of any court-martial proceeding.”

Source: "The Early Pioneer," by Jason T. Younker. The Trail, Vol.II (January, 1910).

William Parsons.

“On the fourth day of July we left the Arkansas, and enaamped at noon in a beautiful cottonwood grove on the Fontaine qui Boille, which in plain English means "Boiling Spring creek." We spent the remainder of the day in a manner eminently worthy the awful virtues of our pilgrim sires. On the night of the fourth occured the first alarm we had on the trip. At ten o'clock a shot was heard, and a moment after the command of the captain of the guard – ‘Rouse out!’ We ‘roused out,’ and in one minute were ready for anything. We soon discovered that the alarm was occasioned by a stampede among the cattle on account of which the guard fired to get help. We all retired again, cross for having been routed, but exceedingly well pleased that there were no Indians.”

Source: "Report of William B. Parsons," Pikes Peak Gold Rush Guidebooks of 1859, ed. by Leroy R. Hafen. (Glendale, Calif.: The Arthur H. Clark Co., 1941)