National Register of Historic Places

Canon Pintado

Rangely, Rio Blanco County, Colorado

Listed

October 5, 1975

Type

District

Period

Listed

Ref No.

75000538

About this property

Cañon Pintado 'painted canyon' is an archaeological site of Native American rock art located in the East Four Mile Draw, 10.5 miles (16.9 km) south of Rangely in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. Led by Ute guides, the Domínguez–Escalante expedition, Spanish missionaries in search of a route to California in 1776, passed through this region as they moved north and then west into Utah. The first Europeans to the area, they named it Cañon Pintado, meaning "painted canyon". The rock art was probably made by people of the Fremont culture (about AD 650–1150) and the Ute (about AD 1200–1881). No one has been able to positively identify the significance of the paintings, however, they were probably made to mark significant events or for religious purposes. The Fremont people were described in a Rangely Museum brochure:The Fremont people built villages, farmed the valley areas and on high points located watchtowers. In hidden places on the cliffs are still found cisterns and granaries where they stored corn and seeds. Petroglyphs of corn stalks are at a number of these sites. Later the Utes hunted the area and used the valley until they were moved to a reservation in 1881.There are many easily accessible rock art sites located just south of Rangely along Colorado Highway 139. However, there are thousands of well preserved sites in the immediate area, including numerous sites on County Road 23 and County Road 65. There is evidence that some of the petroglyphs may be of astronomical significance. The markings may indicate the significance winter or summer solstice but more data is required to verify these results. Carrot Men Pictograph Site - dated from 500 - 1499 AD. Fremont Lookout Fortification Site - dated from 0 - 1499 AD.

Location

Rangely, Rio Blanco County, Colorado

Everything a full report reveals about Canon Pintado

This page lists Canon Pintado. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview

An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.

The Land

The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.

Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.

Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.

Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

Timeline

The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.

First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Canon Pintado report

Or see a real report first

Questions about this property

When was Canon Pintado listed on the National Register?

Canon Pintado was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 5, 1975.

What type of historic resource is Canon Pintado?

Canon Pintado is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Canon Pintado?

The period of significance for Canon Pintado is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Canon Pintado?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Canon Pintado will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

More in Rio Blanco County

Historic places, battles, and census history across Rio Blanco County.

Explore Rio BlancoCounty ›

More historic places in Colorado

Browse all historic places in Colorado.

View Coloradohistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

Colorado history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

Coloradohistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near Canon Pintado will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your location View a free sample report