Sand Creek Massacre Site – Ghost town
Photos courtesy of Mike Sinnwell September 2009
This is a part of Colorado history that has been demonized and praised. A sad day in Colorado’s history when Chivington and his 700 troops swooped down on the Indians as they tried to surrender in November of 1864. Both the Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes were camped along Sand Creek. Chiefs War Bonnet, White Antelope, Lone Bear, Yellow Wolf, Big Man, Bear Man, Spotted Crow, Bear Robe and my favorite Left Hand were slain.
With gold fever striking the nation the settlers poured into Colorado and events like this occurred. Not pretty. Chiefs Black Kettle and Chief Left Hand were actually attempting to negotiate a peace treaty prior to this attack. You get a sense of deep emotions when visiting here.