Meeker, Colorado

Meeker is named for Nathan Meeker, the Indian Agent who was among the 12 people killed in the Meeker Massacre in 1879. The Massacre took place just east of the present-day town and led to the Ute War, which resulted in the Utes being confined to reservations in southwestern Colorado and east-central Utah. The US Army established a garrison at the present townsite and settlers moved in when the Army left. The White River Museum is housed in several of the original wooden structures of the Army garrison. By 1900, Meeker had become somewhat of a mecca for big-game hunters, and Teddy Roosevelt once visited on a mountain lion hunting trip. He stayed opposite the courthouse in the Hotel Meeker.

The historic Hotel Meeker