Dolores Mission Cemetery
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Dolores Mission Cemetery

Kim, Las Animas County, Colorado, USA

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  • Get directions Comanche National Grassland
    Kim, Colorado 81049 United States
    Coordinates: 37.63652, -103.58549
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http://www.visitlajunta.net/comanche.html
As you hike into Picketwire Canyon from the Withers Canyon Trailhead one of the first areas of unique interest you will find is the cemetery and ruins of the Dolores Mission. In 1871 a group of New Mexicans migrated up the Purgatory River to settle. The group led by Damacio Lopez consisted of 11 families and they were the first to establish a permanent settlement in the canyonlands. Traditionally most New Mexicans of the time were Catholic. The tiny settlement founded by Damacio did not have a church or priest. This was a quandary for the religious settlers at the mouth of Minnie Canyon on the Purgatory River. In order to attend church services they would have to travel to Trinidad many miles away. Finally Damacio found a priest that would be willing to travel to their small community for services and in 1898 he sold a piece of his land to the priest. The community built a small church which became known as the Dolores Mission. It is interesting to note that, though the small community founded by the Lopez family is long gone; the Dolores Mission is still listed as church property to this day.
http://www.visitlajunta.net/comanche.html
As you hike into Picketwire Canyon from the Withers Canyon Trailhead one of the first areas of unique interest you will find is the cemetery and ruins of the Dolores Mission. In 1871 a group of New Mexicans migrated up the Purgatory River to settle. The group led by Damacio Lopez consisted of 11 families and they were the first to establish a permanent settlement in the canyonlands. Traditionally most New Mexicans of the time were Catholic. The tiny settlement founded by Damacio did not have a church or priest. This was a quandary for the religious settlers at the mouth of Minnie Canyon on the Purgatory River. In order to attend church services they would have to travel to Trinidad many miles away. Finally Damacio found a priest that would be willing to travel to their small community for services and in 1898 he sold a piece of his land to the priest. The community built a small church which became known as the Dolores Mission. It is interesting to note that, though the small community founded by the Lopez family is long gone; the Dolores Mission is still listed as church property to this day.

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  • Added: 6 Dec 2013
  • Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2522556