Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1905-12-22
COLORADO MOUNTAINS
NAMES SHOULD BE SIGNIFICANT
Too Many Named After = Few Men
Descriptive Names and Those Of
Colorado Pioneers Are Best.


Prof. George L. Cannon OF East Den.
yer 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-
ihnps 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
titles. In the mountains. every few
miles. he says. IL is simply
repetition of Rock creek. Deer
creek Bear creek and Turkey
creek. On the plains. where Their. Is
timber. IL Is Willow creek or Plum
creek: where there IN no timber Il Is
either Sand creek or Dry creek.
From the dome OF the Colorado capi.
toll. four creeks known as DRY" creeks
are In sight, one OF which cmptics into
the Platte near the old suburb of Col.
fax. IL In particularly noted for Its
ncycrccnsing flow OF water and occi.
'sionai dangerous frcshcts. yet II goes
by the standard name OF Dry" creek.
The names OF both counties and
mountains. not only In Colorado. but
all through tho country. show the same
monotonous repetition OF the names OF
n few prominent Americans. whose
reputation does not demand this form
of characterization. The names OF
Grant. Lincoln. Washington. Jefferson
and other prominent Americans are
used unsparinsiy. although II IL not
necessary To be- always in sight OF
mountain bearing their names TO hold
them In memory.
Professor Cannon believes names
should bc used Of more descriptive
value. For instance. he says. II would
be better to call the conspicuous face
Of prominent mountain In Middle
park by tho name Of White Face peak.
rather than by the meaningless name
OF Elk mountain. On this mountain
there was once heavy KnowSiidc.
which left exposed hundreds OF feet OF
white limestone. Few people are aware
of tho fact that an elk was killed ON
this mountain. but, the name Of White
Face has meaning pcrccp'ibic TO all.
II has been n source OF Irritation To
Professor Cannon. that the mountain
Grl, Nt. NttF
shown to be the highest In Colorado.
should not be known ms Mount Mckin.
ley. Mount Grant or n similar name.
This IN Mount Massive. near Lcadyilic.
and only the repeated efforts OF the
city OF ,.cadvillc has prevented the sub.
S,ltution OF n name OF less descriptive
value than the one II 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 II possible.
cuphonious or historical. The abun.
dant Spanish names will In short
time be the only trace left OF the for
mcr dominion OF Spain. and the same
ia equally true of the Indian names.
Numerous pioneers are entitled to all
the state can give them for their emf.
ncnt services In founding the great
commonwealth. They cannot be pen.
STONED, but their names can be perpct.
untcd by prominent geographical
marks.
Professor Cannon and Professor Ellis.
worth Bethel of East Denver high
school for years have been making i
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.
iishcd in the proceedings OF the Colo.
RADIO Scientific Socio,y.-Deuver Re.
publican.