Pod the Road Again: Pawnee National Grassland

Welcome to "Pod the Road Again." I'm your host, P.T.R.A., and today we're exploring the rich cultural and historical significance of the Pawnee National Grassland in Colorado. Located in Weld County, northeast of Greeley, this vast expanse of shortgrass prairie has been home to numerous indigenous tribes and settlers for thousands of years. The area's history dates back at least 12,000 years, with archaeological evidence showing that prehistoric people and later American Indian groups like the Arapaho, Pawnee, Comanche, Kiowa, and Cheyenne lived on the prairie, largely sustaining themselves by hunting bison. The Pawnee National Grassland played a crucial role in the lives of these indigenous tribes. The shortgrass prairie provided ample forage for bison, which were a staple of their diet. As the bison migrated to new grazing areas, the tribes followed them, leaving behind a legacy of archaeological sites including rock shelters, lithic scatters, and stone circles. However, with the arrival of British, American, and French trappers and traders in the 1820s, bison numbers began to decline due to relentless hunting. This decline was further exacerbated by drought and competition between indigenous nations. By the mid-19th century, the US government forcibly removed many American Indians from their ancestral homelands, including the Southern Cheyenne and Southern Arapaho people to Oklahoma. Despite these challenges, the Pawnee National Grassland continued to attract settlers. In the 1880s, small towns like Grover and Keota were established along the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. These early settlers faced numerous hardships, including harsh winters and droughts. The Great Die Up of 1886-87, which killed off many cattle and bankrupted ranches, was a particularly devastating event. However, it was the Dust Bowl of the 1930s that had the most profound impact on the area. Severe drought and windstorms led to massive soil erosion, leaving behind barren landscapes and abandoned homesteads. In response, the US government purchased damaged lands and introduced soil conservation techniques, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Pawnee National Grassland in the 1960s. Today, this national treasure is not only a testament to the resilience of the land and its people but also a sanctuary for a diverse array of wildlife and a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.