HomeMy WebLinkAbout12623 RESOLUTION NO. 12623 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EFFORT TO FEDERALLY ESTABLISH THE PIKE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL WHEREAS, Zebulon Montgomery Pike’s Southwest Expedition in 1806 and 1807 covered over 3,660 miles, from the mouth of the Missouri Rover north of St. Louis, Missouri, west to the Rockies, south through parts of Mexico, and east again to Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana; and WHEREAS, On June 24, 1806, Pike received orders to escort 50 Osage prisoners to the Osage Nation villages at the present-day border of Kansas and Missouri. Once they were returned, the expedition turned south and struck out across the prairie for the Arkansas River. Upon reaching the river, the party split in two and Pike led his group upstream, to the west. WHEREAS, The Pike party explored 670 miles of Colorado, more miles than they spend in any other state or Mexican province, and spent 108 out of 353 days in Colorado, also more than in any other state or Mexican province. Pike explored fifteen present-day Colorado counties and may have explored parts of three more counties; and WHEREAS, In each county of Colorado, remarkable events occurred for Pike and his party: Sighting and attempting to climb the peak that would eventually be named Pike’s Peak, discovering the headwaters of the Arkansas and South Platte Rivers, spending Christmas near 14,000-foot mountains, building the winter stockade where he was taken captive by the Spanish army, suffering beside the Sangre de Cristo Range, and being challenged by a Pawnee war party; and WHEREAS, The proposed Pike National Historic Trail is a 3,664-mile trail traversing seven present-day states and three provinces of Mexico; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that: Section 1. The Pueblo City Council recognizes the historical significance of Zebulon Pike’s exploration of the State of Colorado and the importance of the discoveries that were made during this journey. Section 2. The Pueblo City Council supports the effort to federally establish the Pike National Historic Trail. INTRODUCED: March 25, 2013 BY: Chris Kaufman Background Paper for Proposed RESOLUTION DATE: AGENDA ITEM # M-12 March 25, 2013 DEPARTMENT: City Council Steve Nawrocki, Council President TITLE: A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EFFORT TO FEDERALLY ESTABLISH THE PIKE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL ISSUE: Should the City Council approve a Resolution recognizing the historical significance of Zebulon Pike’s exploration of the State of Colorado and the importance of the discoveries that were made during this journey and supporting the effort to federally establish the Pike National Historic Trail? RECOMMENDATION: This Resolution is at the request of Council Member Steve Nawrocki. BACKGROUND: Zebulon Montgomery Pike’s Southwest Expedition in 1806 and 1807 covered over 3,660 miles, from the mouth of the Missouri River north of St. Louis, Missouri, west to the Rockies, south through parts of Mexico, and east again to Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. The Pike party explored 670 miles of Colorado, more miles than they spent in any other state or Mexican province, and spent 108 out of 353 days in Colorado, also more than in any other state or Mexican province. During the expedition remarkable events took place in Colorado including sighting and attempting to climb the peak that would eventually carry his name and discovering the headwaters of the Arkansas and South Platte Rivers. The proposed Pike National Historic Trail is an effort to federally establish Pike’s route as a National Historic Trail, with the proposed Pike National Historic Trail being a 3,664-mile trail traversing seven present-day states and three provinces of Mexico. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.