The Griffin Ranches &
Family History Research Project
Griffin Family Monument at the Greenwood Pioneer Cemetery
(Photo by Cindy Smith)
Griffin Ranch Homestead on Oak Creek Grade after being moved to Buckskin Joe’s, Royal Gorge
(Photo by Bill Bell)
Albert Benjamin Griffin (b. 1811 – d. 1896) started a legacy in Canon City and Fremont County beginning in the fall of 1860.
Though there are some records of the family history, the FCHS is seeking to collect as much as possible before it is lost to time and development. Records, photos, recordings and artifacts will be safely stored at the Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center. Benjamin’s pioneering life involved placer gold mining, building one of the first log homes in Canon City, friendship with the Sioux and Ute, acquaintance with Father Dyer, tracking the Espinosa brothers, homesteading South Canon City with Rudd, Catlin, Draper & Macon in 1864, establishing the first school district in the county with Rudd and Catlin, and cattle ranching, to name a few of his accomplishments. Multiple generations of Griffins and related families (Bell, Colgate, Randal, etc.) have grown from the brick home on Griffin Avenue, in Canon City, to ranches along Oak Creek Grade and beyond.
Benjamin’s family continued to build upon his legacy of public service and pioneering of the lands in Fremont and Custer Counties. In 1987, the remaining Griffin Ranch, was recognized as a Colorado Centennial Farm.
We need your help. Please volunteer your knowledge or time.
The Search is On! Below is a list of desired information for documentation.
- Geneology
- Descendents: Griffin, Bell, Colgate, Randel(?), etc.
- Towns & Camps: Yorkville, Galena, Titusville, Hell Gate, Soda Springs, etc.
- Schools: Yorkville, Ilse, etc.
- Cemetaries: Canon City, Yorkville-Galena-Ilse, etc.
- Artifacts on the Ranch: remaining buildings, foundations, wells, dumps, poles, modified trees, ditches, graves, roads, mines, other structures, etc.
- Artifacts-other: photos of items that used to belong to the Griffins and extended families from the ranching days and prior (items from household, blacksmith shop, barn, brands,buggies, etc.; we can take the photos); items donated will reside at the museum.
- Stories & Memories: we are conducting oral history recordings of stories and memories and collecting any already written.
- Photos: family albums, landscapes, artifacts, etc.; copies will be made and originals returned
- Maps: trails & roads, land ownership, mining claims, settlements, etc.; copies will be made and originals returned
- Deeds, Claims, etc.: copies will be made and originals returned
- News Articles, diaries, etc.: copies will be made and originals returned
- Etc.: anything you think may pertain
Contacts:
Diane Dudley, 303-319-9711 or [email protected]
Cindy Smith, 303-818-3084 or [email protected]