Cañon City record., 1910-04-28
fin Interesting Indian
Legend Of Temple Canon


scriptive write-up Of Temple canon
and the old Ute Indian buryins
ground. which the people of Canon
City are endeavoring to have set aside
for a public park. The story told in
the columns of the Post is very ro-
mantle one and is as follows:
"a movement recently has been in
augurated by the Canoh City Busi-
ness Mems association to have con-
gress cede to Canon City tract of
land along Grape creek. including
the old Ute Indian burying ground
and Temple canon. On account of its
hitherto inacessibility. Temple canon,
although only about seven miles from
Canon City, has been almost unknow
and has been visited only by few
daring spirits from time to time.
who had the hardfhood to scale the
rocks which obscured its entrance.
Recently, however, convicts from
the state penitentiary have cut a
Grape valley and by cutting inches
in the rocks have made the entrance
to this weird grotto in the noun
tains easily accessible. and 1t is now
only a question OF time until this will
become one of the most interesting
places of mountain scenery for which
Colorado is famous.
Congressman John A. Martin is
Interested in the matter. and :; is
understood will introduce bill in
to congress to have the region set
apart as a public park under the
care of Canon City. Just as the park
at the top of the Royal Gorge was
ceded TO the city few years ago.
drives for which Canon City Is be-
coming noted is the one over the
Greenhorn mountains. through the
old Ute burying ground to Temple
canon.
This road follows the old ''Ute
TRAIL" at one time used by the Indians
In their excursions to and from the
plains country long before ths COM
ing of the white man. For miies n
winds it's way up the slopes OF the
Greenhorns. through forests of pine
and cedar. along the granite ts.igcs
of the mountain side. and skirting the
dark wooded ravines lying far be-
meath.
To the right the traveller catches
occasional glimpses OF the sparkling
waters Of Grape creek. a thousand
feet below. Near the crest OF the
range. on the southern slope of Grape
creek. one comes suddenly into the
midst Of the Ute Indian burying
ground. Among the cedars on either
side of the road may be seen rough
piles OF broken stones and boulders.
the gravestones OF the warriors OF n
vanished race.
"A little farther on, at a point about
seven miles from Canon City. a pic
turesque foot trail leads down into
the canon. Here the convicts from
the penitentiary. working under the
provisions of the Lewis law. have
made a smooth but torturous path
way down the mountain to the bottom
OF the canon.
Crossing the turbulent little stream
one comes suddenly upon Temple
canon. The walls OF this narrow ra-
vine rise hundreds OF feet perpendic-
ularly on either side. and as one
gazes up at its castellated walls with
their cathedral like towers. 1t requires
but little stretch OF the Imagination
to think one Is entering some an
cient rock-hewed temple.
"A few hundred feet up this little
canon Is crevice in the rocks to
the right. partially obstructed by
huge boulders that have fallen into
the entrance. Passing over these
rocks. one comes within the temple
proper, or "The DEVILS .Theater."
This is perhaps one OF the most
lonesome and awe-inspiring places
in the Rocky mountains. Helen Hunt
Jackson. some years ago. is said to
have visited the spot and at once pro-
nounced 1t among the most weird
but interesting places she had ever
seen.
The ground rises like an amphi-
theater from all sides OF depression
or pit In the center OF the canon,
while at one end rises the stage
followed out OF the solid rock by