Forest & Grassland History Overview

The Arapaho National Forest was established by Theodore Roosevelt on July 1, 1908. It was named after the Native American tribe that occupied the region for summer hunting.

The Roosevelt National Forest, originally part of the Medicine Bow Forest Reserve, was first named the Colorado National Forest in 1910 and was renamed by President Herbert Hoover to honor President Theodore Roosevelt in 1932.

The Pawnee National Grassland was transferred to the Forest Service from the Soil Conservation Service in 1954. The Soil Conservation Service acquired this prairie during the dust bowl days of the 1930s and was charged with its rehabilitation. It was designated a national grassland in 1960.

• History of the Pawnee National Grassland
• Historic timeline of Clear Creek Ranger District area
• History of Boulder Ranger District area

Spotlights:

Shadow Mountain Village

Shadow Mountain Village was a construction town built for the Colorado–Big Thompson water diversion project located west of the Continental Divide near present-day Granby. The Bureau of Reclamation constructed the Main Headquarters for the Colorado – Big Thompson project in Estes Colorado.

Santiago Mill

Santiago Mill is an increasingly rare example of an early- to mid-20th century American floatation mill located on National Forest System lands. Built in 1935, the mill was used for concentrating locally mined gold, silver and lead ore, utilizing the floatation process. It is one of the last complete depression-era mills standing.  The Santiago Mill is listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties.

Prehistory & Local Culture

The public lands managed by the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and the Pawnee National Grassland have witnessed countless generations of humans.

For almost 13,000 years this area has been home to Native Americans, Fur Trappers, Homesteaders, Livestock Ranchers, Tie Hackers, Loggers, Miners, and Recreationalists.

About the Heritage Program

The mission of our Forest’s Heritage Program is multifaceted; providing a benefit not only to our natural resource managers but to the public. Their mission is to:

• Protect significant heritage resources.
• Share the values of our heritage resources with the American people.
• Interpret information gathered to provide perspective to our Forest’s natural resource managers.
• Ensure that future generations will have an opportunity to discover the human story of our National Forests and National Grasslands.
• Make the past come alive as a vibrant part of our recreational experiences on the Forest.
• Connect people to the land in a way that will help us better understand and manage our Forest’s ecosystems

Get Involved!

• Passport in Time, also known as “PIT”, is a volunteer program, inviting the public to share in the thrill of discovery through archaeological and historic research.