Site of Guadalupe - Guadalupe, CO - American Guide Series on Waymarking.com

North, across the river, is the SITE OF GUADALUPE, the original settlement in this vicinity. According to legend, this settlement was founded because a mule in the pack train of a Spanish traveler balked here. The animal was bearing a small image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and when threats, beatings and cajoling failed to budge him, the traveler decided that the image was in some way concerned and vowed to erect a church upon the spot. The mule, apparently satisfied, moved on. As good as his word, the traveler returned with some of his countrymen, and a church and settlement were reared to bear witness to the miracle. Major Head fortified the town against the threat of the Tabeguache Ute who claimed this territory, and the fort was attacked soon after its completion in 1855 by a large force under Chief Kanakache, who carried a shield of buffalo hide so thick that it deflected bullets. During the fight Kanakache lowered his shield for a moment and was severely wounded by Major Head. The Ute withdrew, and did not again attack the settlement. Guadalupe was finally abandoned because of the threat of floods. Cloudbursts have obliterated all traces of the early town.

Excerpt from Colorado: A Guide to the Highest State, 1941

This area on the north bank of the Conejos River is once again the site of a small village. A few houses and a common area with a shrine to the Lady of Guadalupe are all that exist here.

The legacy of the settlement lives on, nonetheless. Guadalupe County was one of the original seventeen counties created when Colorado became a territory. Six days later, however, it was renamed Conejos County. [visit link] And the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, south of the river, is the oldest parish in Colorado. [visit link]