Despite the early loss of a revered chief, this southeast Colorado battle between Anglos and Northern Cheyenne, Oglala Sioux and Arapaho warriors nearly ended in the Indians’ favor – until the U.S. cavalry rode to the rescue. Where was Rick Charbonneau, the Denver Newspaper Agency’s state circulation manager, when he photographed this commemorative monument? Tell us via e-mail: ColoradoSunday@denverpost.com. Include a digital photo of yourself, and remember to include your hometown in your anecdotal message. Our favorite answer wins a $25 gas card.
How’d you know?
The winner: Jim Jones, Burlington The attached picture is of the band in the Fourth of July parade in Yampa, just around the corner from the Royal. My wife, Eileen, is in the center of the band playing the trumpet. She plays in the band in Yampa every summer.
Zane Williams, Denver: [At the Royal Hotel,] sitting between a church and the post office, you could get some religion, check your mail and have a cool one with the local ranchers and coal miners in a few easy steps. As a former resident of the area, I hope the new owner keeps the boardwalk. It sure was handy for wiping the mud off your boots during the long winters.
Doyle Mercer, Golden: I lived across the street from the Royal in 1939-41 when I graduated from Yampa Union High School. In 1996, my wife and I stayed in the room on the left in the picture and in 2001 we, our daughter and two grandchildren stayed in the room shown on the right. There were wooden blocks under the bed legs because the floor sagged so badly.
Kate Redmond, Denver: I was privileged to grow up there, where everybody knew each other, and each other’s business. Which is why my best friend in junior high couldn’t get away with spray painting a naughty word on the side, and scrubbed the wall of the drugstore with a toothbrush!
Daryl and Jill Hansen, Arvada: In 1969, we purchased this building, known then as the Yampa Hotel. We were in business there for the next 19 years. The Royal Hotel was built a hundred years ago as an accommodation mostly for sportsmen and hunters and sightseers from the East. They would take the train to Walden, and then the stage to Yampa, with a stop in McCoy. At that time, Yampa had nine saloons and three hotels, including the Antlers Hotel, where Zane Grey stayed while he wrote his book “The Mysterious Rider.”
Georgiana Stetter, Steamboat Springs: Rumors be that the upstairs rooms are haunted and one can have a visit from one of the spirits while spending the night.
