In looking at the various cemetery photo's, I was particulary interested in the "Old Fort Cemetery" at Badito- as children,my sister and I used to wander around up there, and put various wild flowers on the graves and wonder about the people--we thought they must be so lonely. Apparently the markers have been scavenged? There were several markers, mostly carved on red sandstone up there; we found one that had slid off the side of the hill ( sad I don't remember what it said), and we carried it back up and placed it on the nearest grave. I do remember that there was one done in Spanish. The grave with the "post markers" really fascinated us--we were used to going to St.Mary's or LaVeta cemetery with "modern graves", and not having a concept of time at that age, we thought the posts were a strange thing. Ah, if I'd been older, and could remember the names..... Janet

Can you tell me about what year span that would have been? ----- Original Message ----- From: "John & Janet Wasson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2002 7:28 AM Subject: [COHUERFA] old fort cemetery In looking at the various cemetery photo's, I was particulary interested in the "Old Fort Cemetery" at Badito- as children,my sister and I used to wander around up there, and put various wild flowers on the graves and wonder about the people--we thought they must be so lonely. Apparently the markers have been scavenged? There were several markers, mostly carved on red sandstone up there; we found one that had slid off the side of the hill ( sad I don't remember what it said), and we carried it back up and placed it on the nearest grave. I do remember that there was one done in Spanish. The grave with the "post markers" really fascinated us--we were used to going to St.Mary's or LaVeta cemetery with "modern graves", and not having a concept of time at that age, we thought the posts were a strange thing. Ah, if I'd been older, and could remember the names..... Janet

Hi Janet and all, The old fort cemetery really dates back and it is said that there are Cavalry buried there, as well as regular citizens. On Sunday, 2-3-1822, the explorer, Jacob Fowler, wrote in his diary about finding an old Fort in the vicinity. If you really look at the terrain, you can imagine it. The high cliffs on the north west end would be a perfect look-out post. You could see both up, and down the valley. Then in 1853 the US Army, under John W. Gunnison built the road going south from Badito, up over the hill, which goes to Yellowstone. Then in 1867 Badito was the official County seat for awhile, before it was moved to Plaza de Los Leones (Walsenburg). So from these various accounts, we know the area was populated very early. But you know what strikes me as strange is that I have not found an account of an actual church there. I have found where services were held in different families homes though. When I was first there, back in the 70's there were many more posts and markers. I thought I had written down what was there but I sure can't find that 30 year old piece of paper. Believe me, it's here somewhere <grin>. I do remember a red sandstone marker and a couple of rocks that had initials carved in them. Too bad there's no one to tell us who was buried there. As I stood up on top of that little hill I could envision the fort below and the village. It's so sad that so much of our history is gone. I think it's wonderful that parts of the old Spanish corrals are still there, as you can see in one of the photos on the Old Fort Cemetery page. Can you imagine how much labor it took, to put all those sticks in the ground? And if you'll notice, they are woven together with more branches. Well, that was way before the invention of barbed wire. Sure wish I could take my computer and camera and go back about 200 years. Well, on second thought, I guess not, they'd probably burn me at the stake, thinking I was a witch!!! <grin> Also, there at Badito, when they put the new road in, they had to move a grave. My Mother-in-law said she thought it was a grave of an indian, but wasn't sure. Now that I'm 30 years smarter <did I say that?>, I have to wonder about that. If it was an indian, it would depend on what tribe. As we all know, certain tribes "buried" their dead on platforms above the ground. Others cremated their dead. Someday I would like to investigate that further. But I could show you exactly where she said the grave was. This is your History lesson for the night. There WILL be a test...<giggle> Night all! Karen ----- Original Message ----- From: "John & Janet Wasson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2002 7:28 AM Subject: [COHUERFA] old fort cemetery In looking at the various cemetery photo's, I was particulary interested in the "Old Fort Cemetery" at Badito- as children,my sister and I used to wander around up there, and put various wild flowers on the graves and wonder about the people--we thought they must be so lonely. Apparently the markers have been scavenged? There were several markers, mostly carved on red sandstone up there; we found one that had slid off the side of the hill ( sad I don't remember what it said), and we carried it back up and placed it on the nearest grave. I do remember that there was one done in Spanish. The grave with the "post markers" really fascinated us--we were used to going to St.Mary's or LaVeta cemetery with "modern graves", and not having a concept of time at that age, we thought the posts were a strange thing. Ah, if I'd been older, and could remember the names..... Janet