52 votes

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

"910 Wansted, Po Box 249", Eads, Colorado 81036 USA

Independent

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site is a National Historic Site in Kiowa County, Colorado, near Eads and Chivington in Kiowa County commemorating the Sand Creek Massacre. The site is about southeast of Denver and about east of Pueblo. A few basic park facilities have been opened at this site. In 1999, archaeological teams from the National Park Service, Dept. of the Interior BLM, Colorado Historical Society and accompanied by Native American observers, made a major archaeological discovery of remains of the massacre site. Large numbers of period bullets, camp equipment, and other items convinced the NPS that they had found the correct site. Subsequent transfers of ownership from the Dawson family, former owners of the property have left the title of the site to the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes with management to be undertaken by NPS. The National Park Service offers scheduled Ranger-led programs without charge during hours of operation, from 9 am – 4 pm, April 1 – December 1, or by advance appointment in the winter season. The Historical Site was authorized by Public Law 106-465 on November 7, 2000, in order to "recognize the national significance of the massacre in American history, and its ongoing significance to the Cheyenne and Arapaho people and the descendants of the massacre victims." The law authorized establishment of the site once the National Park Service acquired sufficient land from willing sellers to preserve, commemorate, and interpret the massacre. The site near the junction of County Road 54 and County Road "W" was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 28, 2001. On August 2, 2005, President George W. Bush gave final approval for the site. On April 23, 2007 it was announced that site would become America's 391st official park unit with an effective date of April 27, 2007. The dedication ceremony was held on April 28, 2007. Currently the Site encompasses of which are federally owned. By 2004 the federal government acquired from private land owners. On September 9, 2006 the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma conveyed to the United States title to to be held in trust for the National Historic Site.

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Reviewed by
Patrick

109 Reviews
20 Helpful

September 12, 2021

Rated 5.0

This NPS site was still in its infancy when I visited, but it was very fascinating. The US flag that flies over the VC is accurate to the time period. While you can't hike down to the scene of the massacre because it is sacred, there are helpful interpretive panels to teach you. You can also hike up to an overlook of the massacre scene.

On your way to this site, listen to the podcast "History on Fire" that compares the Sand Creek and My Lai Massacres. It was very sad, but interesting how the stories were so similar.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
snicker45

11 Reviews
1 Helpful

July 13, 2023

Rated 3.0

It’s very interesting to learn about the events and sad. If you’re traveling in an rv or a trailer I don’t recommend this. You’re looking at about 22 miles of dirt and gravel roads. It’s hard on the vehicles. If it’s raining or had rained it could be a problem. There isn’t much to see anyway. It’s a long rough road out of the way to not see much. It’s better to learn about the story an mourn the people than be present. If you’re in a vehicle with higher clearance go for it. Be sure to go during open hours.

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