The winner: Jeff Fivehouse, Englewood:
The sculpture of the Native American chief is found on U.S. 34 between Akron and Brush, by Trimbach’s Antiques. My best friend is from Akron, and the first time we traveled there I saw this sculpture, which from a distance I thought was alive! The Eastern Plains can certainly play tricks on a city dweller’s perceptions, due to the wide open spaces and lack of people. However, now every time I pass this sculpture my initial fear has turned to great comfort as it is a reminder that I am almost safely to my destination.
Lori Wells, Akron: I know exactly where this Triumphant Chief is! He keeps watch on Highway 34 between Brush and Akron on the Trimbach Ranch. He used to keep an eye on the buffalo that grazed there, just as they did many years ago. He’s a reminder of our first native Coloradoans! From a distance and in certain lights, his majesty is breathtaking.
Sally Mayberry, Larkspur: Whenever travel plans take us east, my husband and I take Highway 86 out of Castle Rock to connect to I-70. This triumphant chief is located on the north side of this scenic roadway, about 30 miles east of town. As you traverse the gentle rolling hills past various ranches, you can glimpse cattle, horses and antelope. The chief comes into view from several miles away and your imagination can take you back to those early explorers and settlers who did meet the Indians of the Colorado plains.
Jananne Garl, Parker: picture was taken alone Co. 86 between the Agate cut off and I-70. It is on the North side of the road and I’m not sure who owns the land that it is on. I drove by it on the way to Hugo where my mother was in a assisted living home.
John Rollins: The Cheyenne had 3 factions that made-up the tribe known as the Cheyenne, the North Cheyenne (Montana) and South Cheyenne (Oklahoma) were known to be peaceful and willing to negotiate and co-exist with the new population of immigrants seeking their fortunes in the Colorado area since the Pikes Peak gold rush started in the late 1850s. The third was a militaristic group and know as the Dog Soldiers. These Dog Soldiers were primarily made up of the outlaw Cheyenne and comprised of younger men who saw the new settlers as a threat to their traditional way of life with our settlements growing, fencing of lands, and butcher of their primary food source, the buffalo. Add into that corrupt Indian agents, broken treaties and a forced change in life style from nomads to farmers. Then the silhouette is of a chief overlooking the plains toward the east looking for the encroaching wagon trains and settlers, whom he would attack, or watching for the US soldiers coming from Fort Wallace (KS), Fort McPherson (NE), Fort Russel (WY) or Fort Lyon (CO).
Joe Edson, Brush: This is a metal silhouette located a mile east of Midway on Highway 34 between Brush and Akron. It was placed on a hill facing north and south of the the highway. It was placed on the Dan Trimbach land that he owned at the time.
