The Book information:The Overland Trail North by Dunning, Harold MarionBibliographic Details: Publisher: Johnson Publishing Co. c 1969,

Boulder, CO Publication Date: 1969Description: 44 pp. Portraits and other text illustrations from black-and-white photographs, rear cover map. 16 cm. x 23 cm. Excellent regional history, focusing on the stage coach lines running north from Colorado to Wyoming.

MARIANA MODENO (1858) Died: June 25, 1878 Mariana Modeno, the first “white” settler in the Big Thompson Valley, was born in Taos, New Mexico* in 1812 and was of Castiliam parentage. He was said to have been liberally educated in his youth and to be able to speak 13 different languages fluently. Next to Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, and Jim Baker, Modeno was perhaps the most noted frontiersman, trapper, hunter, guide, scout, and Indian fighter in the West. He was known at one time in almost every town between the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains, from the city of Mexico to the British possessions. He carried the marks on his person of many a bitterly waged conflict with the Indians and was for many years a valued scout and guide in the employ of the government. He settled on the Big Thomson in 1858 where he lived until he died June 25, 1878, having amassed considerable wealth in the meantime.

Fort Namaqua Located at County Road 19E and the Big Thomson River, just west of Loveland. This area was the site of a stage station operated by Mariana Modena, who came to the area in 1858. It is one of the earliest and most historic sites in Colorado. Born in Taos, New Mexico in 1812, Modena joined a group of beaver trappers as a teenager. His adventures took him north into Colorado Territory, where he struck out on his own. He was a valued scout, a government guide, an indian fighter, and finally a rancher. Known as one of the most notable frontiersmen, he kept company with Jim Bridger, Mountain Jim, and Jim Baker. Beginning with the gold rush of 1859, and through the westward migration, the area was known as Modena's Crossing, or Namagua Station. It was the crossing of several trails. The Texas and Overland Trails crossed here, as well as the Denver/Laramie Trail. Offshoots of the Platte River Trail and the Oregon Trail also passed through Modena's land. Mariana Modena died in 1878. He was buried in a small family cemetery on his farm. In 1960, the farm became the victim of progree, and the five graves were moved to the Fort Namaqua Park. An impressive stone marker with a plaque was erected at the approximate site of the historic state station.

NAMAQUA The Namaqua Station, was more sometimes known as the Big Thompson Station. This station was located on the old Cherokee Trail, used by trappers who also called it "Bridger's Road." The crossing of the Big Thompson was sometimes called "Mariano's Crossing," after Mariano Medina, who claimed to be the first permanent

settler on the Big Thompson Creek. The station was actually located at Medina's "Fort Namaqua." The original buildings remained intact until 1936 when a fire destroyed them. The barn, built by the Overland Mail Express, remained in use until as a stable until the mid-1950's. In 1864, Ben Holladay moved the route to the east, stopping at Washburn's Crossing three miles downstream from Namaqua. Stages and wagons continued to travel the old Cherokee Trail, stopping at Namaqua often until the railroad made its appearance in 1877.

NamaquaIn the late 1850s gold was discovered in Cherry Creek near the present town site of Denver, resulting in a gold rush to the area. A group of prospectors and mountain men led by George Andrew Jackson joined the rush to Cherry Creek in the fall of 1858, departing from Fort Laramie in what would later become Wyoming Territory. When the expedition arrived at the Big Thompson River most of the mountain men decided to build cabins and stay for the winter, while the prospectors continued on to Denver in search of gold.

The group that remained was a mixture of guides and trappers. They were impressed by the abundance of natural resources in the Big Thompson Valley and established a trappers’ camp, intent on residing in the area for several years. During this time other mountain men were attracted to the new community, including Jose de Mirabel, who relocated there from Denver and became the community’s unofficial leader. In 1858 a well-known mountain man and former guide by the name of Mariano Medina visited his friend Jose de Mirabel in the valley, but soon left for parts unknown.

Mariano Medina returned to Miraville in September of 1860 with his family and a small group of Spaniards, and acquired land next to the Big Thompson River. The Overland Trail crossed his property and Medina established a ferry service to safely transport travelers across the river for a fee. The trail was originally known as the Cherokee Trail, and had been used for many years by Indians and explorers as the primary link between the Arkansas and Platte Rivers. By the time Medina arrived in the Big Thompson Valley the Overland Trail had become the main route connecting the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails, which resulted in considerable traffic.

The ferry service proved successful and Medina proceeded to construct a combination trading post and saloon, and lodging for travelers. He also replaced the ferry with a toll bridge, which most travelers chose to use rather than risk fording the river. At this time the area became known as Big Thompson, and also as Mariano’s Crossing. A post office was later founded at the site, which was given the name of Namaqua. This is the name most commonly used to refer to the community. In addition to his business ventures Medina maintained a small farm, and is credited as the first person to experiment with crop irrigation in the Big Thompson Valley. He was well-known for his fine horses, and was a respected horse trainer and marksman. Medina continued to operate his businesses until his death in 1878, the result of complications from gunshot wounds he received decades earlier while working as a military scout.

Modena’s Crossing home in 1902

Fort Namaqua