Gilpin observer., 1905-12-21
COLORADO MOUNTAINS
NAMES SHOULD BE SIGNIFICANT
Too Many Named After a Few Men
Descriptive Names and Those Of
Colorado Pioneers Are Best,


Colorado Pioneers Are Best.
Prof. George l.. Cannon of East Den
,ver high school, takes radical exception
to the manner in which mountain
peaks and streams Of Colorado have
been named. He points out Startling
facts concerning the general ignorance
of citizens of Colorado, some of them
pioneers, as to geographical names and
locations.
/, According to Professor Carpenter.
who is an eminent authority on geo.
logical subjects, and knows the noun
!tains of the state by long study, few
people Of Denver know the names of
peaks within easy view of the city.
Pixies peak and Longs peak are per-
ihaps more generally known than any
lothers, but ardent citizens frequently
make the mistake of pointing out in
significant foothills to strangers
lGray's peak and Torrey's peak can be
seen plainly from certain Denver view
points, but they are not the mountains
that many people point out.
Professor Cannon says the choice of
geographical names. in Colorado is
characterized by great monotony of
titles. In the mountains, every few
miles, he says, it is simply
repetition of Rock creek, Deer
creek Bear creek and Turkey
creek. On the plains, where there is
timber, 1t is Willow creek or Plum
creek; where there is no timber it IL
either Sand creek or Dry creek.
From the dome of the Colorado capi.
tol, four creeks known as DRY" creeks
are in sight, one of which empties into
the Platte near the old suburb of Col
fax. 1t is particularly noted for its
inever-ceasing flow of water and occa-
lsional dangerous freshets. yet it goes
by the standard name of DRY" creek.
The names of both counties and
mountains. not only in Colorado, but
all through the country, show the same
monotonous repetition of the names OF
a few prominent Americans. whose
reputation does not demand this form
of immortalization. The names of
Grant, Lincoln, Washington. Jefferson
and other prominent Americans are
used unsparingly, although it is not
necessary to be always in sight of a
mountain bearing their names to hold
them in memory.
Professor Cannon believes names
Should be used of more descriptive
value. For instance, he says, it would
be better to call the conspicuous face
of prominent mountain in Middle
park by the name of White Face peak,
rather than by the meaningless name
of Elk mountain. On this mountain
there was once a heavy snowslide.
which left exposed hundreds of feet of
white limestone. Few people are aware
of the fact that an elk was killed on
this mountain, but the name of White
Face has meaning perceptible to all.
1t has been a source of irritation to
Professor Cannon, that the mountain
which recent measurements have
shown to be the highest in Colorado.
should not be known as Mount McKin-
ley. Mount Grant or a similar name.
This is Mount Massive near Leadville.
and only the repeated efforts of the
city of Leadville has prevented the sub
stitution of name of less descriptive
value than the one is now bears.
Many mountains in Colorado are
now receiving prominent names for the
first time, and in naming these peaks.
Professor Cannon says, the titles
should be descriptive If possible,
euphonious or historical. The abun-
dant Spanish names will in a short
time be the only trace left Of the for
mer dominion of Spain, and the same
is equally true of the Indian names.
Numerous pioneers are entitled to all
the state can give them for their emf
nent services in founding the great
commonwealth. They cannot be pen
STONED, but their names can be perpet-
uated by prominent geographical
marks.
Professor Cannon and Professor Ellis
worth Bethel of East Denver high
school for years have been making
scientific study of the names of rivers
and peaks in Colorado. They have col
laborated recently in an elaborate pa.
per on this subject, which will be pub.
lished in the proceedings of the Colo.
RADIO Scientific Society.-Denver Re.
publican.