Rocky Mountain Directory & Colorado Gazetteer

Forms of government previous to Territorial organization, shows that but little attention was paid to legislative matters previous to the discovery of gold, and that the vast extent of country, now embraced within our limits, was controlled either by military officers of the Spanish, French or United States governments, or those of the American Fur Company. After the discovery of gold, and the great emigration that followed, political matters were freely discussed, delegates elected to Congress, and measures inaugurated for the establishment of a Territorial form of government, which was secured in 1861.

In the meantime, the emigrants governed themselves by the people's and miners courts, and a provisional government. During this unsettled condition of governmental affairs, in a country remote from civilization with a population composed of adventurers from all countries, of course more or less lawlessness existed, and acts of violence and bloodshed were not uncommon; but the perpetrators of these crimes were soon dealt summarily with by the law-abiding citizens, and early in 1860, after a few judicious hangings, whippings and banishments had taken place, the population was as orderly, and life and property as secure as in the old States.

Colorado Counties 1871

Colorado Colonies

Colorado Town Histories

Colorado Town Gazetteers 1871

Business Directories

Churches

Of Historical Value

Railroads and Wagon Roads and More

Just bits of Information

Source: Rocky Mountain Directory and Colorado Gazetteer, 1871, S. S. Wallihan & Company, Compilers and Publishers, Denver, 1870.