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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.