Historic Context Study of the Purgatoire River Region

Colorado Preservation, Inc.

From introduction: "This historic context study is intended to accompany the survey project Colorado Preservation, Inc. conducted in the Purgatoire River Region of southeastern Colorado during 2008 and 2009. The following contexts have been developed to provide a framework for understanding the history and significance of the resources recorded during the survey project. The survey developed from the grassroots movement of the local ranching community to oppose the expansion of the Army’s Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. With most of the region divided into large ranches, there has been very limited access and little public awareness of the wealth of historic resources in the area. The ranchers who approached Colorado Preservation, Inc. had dual goals: to document the architectural and archaeological resources of the area potentially affected by expansion, and to share this history with the public to raise awareness of the unique history and culture of the region. Colorado Preservation, Inc. received grants to fund the survey from the Colorado Historical Society’s State Historical Fund, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, and Preserve America. No regional architectural surveys and limited archaeology had been conducted in the area. With the exception of previously recorded prehistoric rock art, potential survey findings were unknown. Survey work was conducted by a team composed of both an architectural historian and an historical archaeologist. The built environment was examined along with any surrounding surface artifacts, such as glass, ceramics, cans, barrel hoops, auto parts, and stove parts. The survey consisted of two parts: a reconnaissance-level survey and an intensive-level survey. During the reconnaissance-level survey 464 prehistoric and historic sites were recorded. Prehistoric resources included petroglyphs, rock shelters, and tipi rings. Historical resources included more than 200 homesteads as well as schools, churches, cemeteries, irrigation systems, cattle corrals, and sheep pens. At the conclusion of the reconnaissance-level survey, fifty-eight resources were selected for intensive-level survey." Funding was provided in part by a 2008 Preserve America grant to Otero County (grant number 08-08-AP-4005) for the Southern Otero County Rural Resources Survey. The grant was administered by the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Preserve America is a federal initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the program include a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.

Historic Context Study of the Purgatoire River Region

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