A historical marker in place since 1936 has been stolen from Colorado’s Old Fort and Stockade in Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs Police believe the plaquewas stolen from 2818 W. Pikes Peak Ave. by metal thieves between Jan. 2 and Jan. 4.
The plaque — either bronze or copper according to the release from police — was placed in 1936 to mark the fort built by pioneers of Old Colorado City and used as a defense against Native Americans in 1864 and in 1868.
According to Old Colorado City’s website, the city was made Colorado’s first territorial capitol in 1861.
The city saw some trouble in the following years, in part because it was built on “Indian crossroads, a natural boundary between the Sioux, Arapahos and Cheyennes of the great plains, and their historic enemies, the Utes of the mountains to the West,” the history reads.
The city saw a regrowth later with the discovery of gold in nearby Cripple Creek.
In 1917, Old Colorado City was annexed into the city of Colorado Springs and in 1977 was designated a National Historic District.
Anyone with information on this landmark is asked to call 970-444-7000.
