While driving along the Highway of Legends out of Trinidad, Colorado we had given no thought to the town of Stonewall that we were going to pass through. However, upon approaching Stonewall it became apparent how this charming town acquired the sobriquet "Stonewall". To find out click here "What prompted the name Stonewall".

Stonewall, Colorado on the Highway of Legends

Joyce took this picture to show the Spanish/Mexican influence that still decorates communities along the Highway of Legends. This entire area was settled by Spanish/Mexicans before Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase back in 1803. The Spanish were sending expeditions into this area and even mining for gold in this area back in the 1700's. Keep in mind that Zebulon Pike, who was leading US Army reconnaissance expedition in this area in 1806 when Pike and his men were arrested by Spanish Calvary and taken to Chihuahua, Mexico. This area in Colorado was a "contested" area even with the Louisiana Purchase since we purchased it from France while the Spanish claimed it. That dispute changed a bit in 1810 when Mexico declared independence from Spain and most assuredly changed in 1821 when Mexico was finally free from Spanish rule and assumed ownership of Spanish Territories. This made the disputed territory an issue between the US and Mexico. In 1846 the United States went to war with Mexico and the defeated Mexicans relinquished its claims to "northern territories" in the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo. With the stroke of a pin at the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo in 1846 all Mexicans living in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and other states became US Citizens. The descendants of those early Spanish/Mexican settlers still have a heavy influence in this region.

Stonewall, Colorado on the Highway of Legends

This is a pretty fair representation of "downtown" Stonewall, Colorado.

Stonewall, Colorado on the Highway of Legends

Joyce again captured the Spanish/Mexican influence in this area.

Stonewall, Colorado on the Highway of Legends

This is pretty representative of the valley around Stonewall. You can see some of the "stone wall" or dike emerging in the background. In another million years or so much more of the relatively soft sedimentary rock forming the slope we now see on this side of the dike will have eroded exposing a 100' or more of the hard igneous rock in that dike or stone-wall.

Stonewall, Colorado on the Highway of Legends

We are looking at property very near downtown Stonewall, Colorado in this picture. Do note the dike or stone wall protruding in the background.

Stonewall, Colorado on the Highway of Legends

Note the name of this place. Again, evidence of the Spanish/Mexican heritage along the Highway of Legends.

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