SPOTLIGHT ON MEEKER
Elevation: 6,240
County: Rio Blanco County seat
Population: 2,242
Percentage of population 65 years and older: 14.5 (national rate: 12.4)
Percentage high school graduates: 86.4 (80.4)
Percentage bachelor’s degrees: 18.3 (24.4)
Percentage civilian veterans (over 18 who have served in the military but are not currently serving): 14.2 (12.7)
Incorporated: 1886
Name: The town was named after Nathan W. Meeker, a New York journalist who helped found the town of Greeley. He later became the Indian agent to the White River Ute near the area where Meeker is now located.
Brief history: Maj. John Wesley Powell moved to the area in 1868 with about 20 others on a scientific expedition. A year later, the Indian agency was established east of what is now Meeker.
In 1878, Nathan Meeker became the Indian agent entrusted with carrying out the government policy of converting the Ute Indians from a hunting lifestyle to a farming one. Prior to that, Indian agents had encouraged hunting because they thought the hides were valuable.
As part of the strategy to establish an agricultural community, Meeker had plowed up the horsetrack that was especially important to the Indians and was used for their favorite sport of pony racing. He was accused of doing it without the approval of the federal government.
In 1879, after the track was plowed, the Indians attacked Meeker and 10 employees of the agency, killing them all in what became known as the Meeker Massacre. The women and children were taken into the wilderness and held hostage for 24 days, and the agency was burned to the ground. To negotiate the release of the hostages, the Department of Interior sent a special agent.
The Army then established the Camp on White River and relocated the Utes to a reservation in eastern Utah.
In 1883, the Army left and sold all the buildings to settlers who named the new town after Meeker. Four of those buildings are still at their original locations.
Interesting fact: Teddy Roosevelt, who often hunted mountain lions and other big game in the area, stayed at the Meeker Hotel in 1901. The White River Museum is home to several photos of the president, some that include handwritten notes. The museum also has a collection of other pioneer artifacts including the plow that was used destroy the Indians’ horsetrack.
Economy: Meeker’s current economy is based on cattle ranching, oil shale, natural gas, nearby coal mining, and some government agencies such as Bureau of Land Management and White River National Forest. The large fishing and hunting industry is an important part of the tourism economy. The importance of cattle and sheep ranching can be seen when livestock is driven through the town to winter and summer pastures.
Events: The Fourth of July Range Call Celebration, July 1-4, features the oldest annual rodeo in Colorado, still running at 120 years. Activities include a re-enactment of the Meeker Massacre, a barn dance, music, arts and crafts, and a fireworks display.
This year’s Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials will be Sept. 6-10.
Sources: White River Museum; Meeker Chamber of Commerce; Town of Meeker; “Colorado Place Names” By William Bright; “1001 Colorado Place Names” by Maxine Benson; U.S. Census Bureau 2000; USGS
BONNIE GILBERT
