Badito, Colorado

Badito, Colorado

History

Badito, located at the crossing of the Huerfano River, marks a path used by the prehistoric Basketmaker Native Americans.

A Spanish expedition lead by General Juan de Ulibarri, is the first known recorded journey through Badito. He documented the journey through Cuchara Pass, west of the Spanish Peaks in 1706. Juan de Ulibarri's command reached the Rio de San Juan Baptista (currently named the Huerfano River) at Badito.

In 1819, Jacob Fowler, noted an abandoned Spanish adobe fort at the location.

Later, the Taos Trappers Trail, joining the Santa Fe Trail with the Cherokee Trail, passed through this location. In 1867, as part of the U.S. Territories, Badito became the Huerfano County seat. Later the county seat was moved to Walsenburg.

References

Whiteley, Lee; "The Cherokee Trail: Bent's Old Fort to Fort Bridger"; Lee Whiteley; 1999; Johnson Printing; Boulder, Colorado; ISBN 0-9671351-1-7

Historic Marker #13; Posted by the Territorial Daughters of Colorado; Badito, Colorado.

Juan de Ulibarri; Jaun de Ulibarri's Diary; Translated and posted by the Territorial Daughters of Colorado; Badito, Colorado.