LEGENDARY LANDMARKS
THE HISTORICAL PIONEERS BEHIND SOME OF THE FAMOUS
LANDMARKS AROUND TOWN
George S. Simpson
1818-1885
Juana (Suaso) Simpson
1827-1916
Buried atop the Rest is Trinidad
pioneer George S. Simpson, one of this
areas true “trail blazers.” Simpson was a
famous scout, trader, and explorer. Born
in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1818, Simpson
first came to this area in 1848. Years
later, the prominent pioneer settled here.
While engaging in different enterprises,
he was elected in 1861 as this regions
first territorial county clerk. There are as
many stories about the Simpson Indian
attack as there are imaginations. The
most common elements of these stories
are that in 1867, prior to Trinidad
becoming incorporated, Simpson was
along the banks of the Purgatoire River
when he was confronted by warring
Ute Indians. Simpson fled up a nearby
butte and hid inside one of the natural
vertical crevices that were found in this
sandstone bluff. The attacking Indians
did not locate Simpson and after three
or so days, Simpson emerged from his
hiding spot, thankful to the rock for his
life.
Later in life he wrote a poem
about his desire to be buried there.
This of course is but part of Simpson’s
contributions toward settling the West.
Added to the 1866 Indian escapade, is
the fact that he helped establish the Ft.
Pueblo Trading Post and is credited with
the first discovery of gold in Colorado,
leading to the famous 1859 Rush to the
Rockies. Years before his death, Simpson
requested burial atop his beloved Rest,
and his wish was honored in 1885. In
September of 1885 it became his final
resting place.
In Trinidad, Juana taught
Spanish-speaking students and became
friends with Blandina Segale. As a Sister
of Charity, Blandina taught school at
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