A Dramatic Tour of the Lariat Trail (1918)

"From Golden, second capitol of Colorado, the road ascends Lookout Mountain on an incline. The table mountains that shut Golden from the prairie seem to sink until they appear limitless plains, checkered with fertile farms. Streets and buildings in Denver are clearly visible. Soon the road turns westward into the mountains and crosses the face of a sheer cliff, seven hundred feet below murmurs Clear Creek, where first gold was discovered in Colorado. The road here was blasted from solid granite, but a dangerous slide carried the road bed away as fast as it was cleared. The engineers dammed the mountain side by throwing a concrete wall across the treacherous spot and anchoring it to a solid rock on either side. This is Sensation Point.

Just beyond, the first of two remarkable double hairpin turns is negotiated. By successive stages the motorist climbs to “Windy Saddle,” a pass thirty feet wide, which drops to one side into Clear Creek and on the other into Chimney Gulch; ascends the upper hairpin with its five levels on a transverse axis of two hundred and fifty feet; encircles Windy Point and swings around Wild Cat Point.

Here he gains his most magnificent view of the plains from the summit of an abrupt cliff. Two thousand feet below, Golden spreads out like the toy village of one’s childhood. Above the road, among the fragrant pines, lies the body of Colonel W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill). The plains that he loved so well extend in a vast semi-circle, shimmering under the blazing sunlight. The motorist has reached the summit of the famous Lariat Trail, which winds and loops below him appearing and disappearing until it ends at the huge stone pylons near Golden, mere match sticks as seen from Lookout. From this spot the Ute Indians watched, some sixty years ago, for the white-topped prairie schooners of the early gold- seeker. "

Visiting Morrison, from an 1881 account (Denver Daily Times, July 9, 1881)

"Fifteen miles to the southwest of Denver, nestling at the feet of the foothills, lies the little place of Morrison. Bear Creek comes dashing and foaming through the center of the pretty collection of houses, and cliffs of red, white and blue stone serve to give color to the general tint of green. To the west, the Rockies rear their aged heads, and curiously formed buttes serve to break the foreground of the picture. East, north and south huge ridges and little valleys prevent what would otherwise be the monotony of the plains, and keep the eye from tiring or wearying at the view.

"Away back in 1860 George Morrison, a Quebec stonemason, came west to what was then Denver City, and seeing some specimens of gypsum found by prospectors he headed up Bear creek to where the deposits were said to be. This was the first start in the industrial development of the marvellous resources of Morrison, though it was a good many years afterwards before the town came into existence, and its beauties as a watering place became recognized. Morrison found the deposit practically inexhaustable, and of unusually fine quality, and he immediately located and built a mill for grinding it to powder. Denver was his market, and to it the products of his mill were hauled by ox-teams, and a ready sale found for all.

"Thus far, Morrison and his men had it all to themselves, and drank the clear cold water, and breathed the pure air, and feasted their eyes on the handsome scenery, with scarcely a visitor to break in upon their quiet. Five quarries were opened, and from them was taken out white sandstone, red sandstone, and blue sandstone, that Morrison's practical experience told him were of the finest quality, and, in addition, the two remaining quarries produced gypsum and limestone.

"About this time Governor Evans, with that business shrewdness and clear foresight so characteristic of him, took a look at these quarries and their products, and the result was that the Morrison Stone, Lime and Town company became a reality and Morrison took its first real strong breath. The new company platted the town, and did considerable work upon the quarries, and in producing the powdered gypsum, the lime, and the building stone. Governor Evans started the South Park narrow-guage, the first railroad built out of Denver, and the line was run to Morrison, intending to push on from there to South Park, but the Leadville excitement arose and the route was changed and instead of being on the main line, Morrison is now on a branch. "

Discovering Dinosaurs Near Morrison

In 1877, Arthur Lakes, a professor at the Colorado School of Mines, was studying geology in the Morrison area when he and his companion, H.C. Beckwith, made historic discoveries of dinosaur bones near Morrison. This excerpt from his field journals provides his reaction to the discoveries:

"Here then was the cast of a very large bone belonging to some gigantic animal. But the question was where was the rest of him and where did his majesty's remains repose. ... as I jumped on top of the ledge there at my feet lay a monstrous vertebra carved as it were in bas relief on a flat slab of sandstone. It was so monstrous however, 33 inches in circumference, so utterly beyond anything I had ever read or conceived possible that I could hardly believe my eyes and called to my friend Capt. B to confirm the vision. We stood for a moment without speaking, gazing in astonishment at this prodigy & then threw our hats in the air and hurrahed, & then began to look about us for more.

"At one point Prof M and myself were engaged chiseling out a smooth bone from an overhanging ledge. The professor somehow got his head in the way of my hammer. I hit him a gentle tap behind the ear and knocked him over with an exclamation of Oh! on his part & apologies on mine."

Touring the Bear Creek Scenic Drive, from the Brush Tribune, May 13, 1929

THE CANON DRIVE

"Continuing up Bear creek is a broad and smooth mountain road following the course of the stream through the most enchanting scenery of the world. Perpendicular walls of granite tower above on one side while on the other is the roaring, tumbling crystal waters of Bear creek, forcing its way over huge boulders and pebbly pools to eventually join the “father of waters” and flow on to the gulf. The roadway is lined with the beauties of nature. While the majestic pines clothed in their verdure of green line the rocky cliffs, the hundreds of other species of tree and shrub are just now putting on their spring coat of green leaves and fragrant blossom, tempting humanity to break away from the cares and tribulations of business and mingle with the wondrous beauties of nature for a time. Along this drive are beautiful little valleys, shady nooks and grassy plots inviting the traveler to stop, while in the clear waters of the stream the speckled trout are daring him to cast a line.

STARBUCK AND KITTRIDGE

"Rounding a horn of the rocky cliffs, the traveler on his first trip over this drive is enraptured by the beauties of the widening valley as he approaches the little town of Starbuck. Here the wonderful works of nature, and the artistic hand of man have combined. Scattered over the verdant slops of the hillsides are beautiful summer homes, palatial residences, shady nooks and inviting spots. Here are stores, refreshment stands, dancing pavilion and every imaginable inducement to stop and enjoy one's self. ... Here is the magnificent club building of the Colorado Motor Club, a massive structure surrounded by beautiful grounds and furnishing rest and refreshment for the traveler or pleasure seeker. The beautiful hillsides are dotted with modern cottages which may be secured for a season—where one can spend a day, a week, or the entire summer without a pang of regret.

"A few miles of this brings you to another point where the valley broadens and the beautiful town site of Kittridge. Here again is presented the opportunity for recreation and refreshment. A beautiful panorama of rolling hills and entrancing home sites along the banks of Bear creek and on the pine covered slopes of the surrounding hills."