Manassa, CO: Birthplace of a Famous Boxer and a Turquoise Mine!

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Manassa – A Brief History

Settlement Era

People from northern New Mexico migrated to the area around Manassa in the mid 1800s. Many early settlers were the descendants of colonists from the Spanish colonial period beginning in 1598 with the colonization of New Mexico. Today, approximately half of Manassa’s residents are of Spanish and Mexican heritage. Most of the other citizens of Manassa are the descendants of the Mormon pioneers who founded Manassa in 1879, and named the town after Manasseh, a son of the Israelite Joseph in the Bible. Manassa was located a short distance from two ranches purchased by the Mormons from Hispanos on the south side of the Conejos River, across from Los Cerritos, Colorado.

Missed by the Railroad

The selection of the land for the colony was made on the assurance that the railroad would soon be built nearby. However, one year later the railroad bypassed the colony, and instead passed through Romeo, Colorado, just three miles to the west.

A family-owned Turquois Mine

Mantissa turquoise is mined east of Manassa. It is known for its blue-green to green color with a golden or brown, non-webbed matrix. The Manassa mine is still in production and owned by the King family, thus the alternate name sometimes used for this turquoise.

This site, originally mined by Ancestral Pueblo peoples, was rediscovered in 1890 by gold prospector I.P. King, and his descendants still work the claim.

Incorporation and Town Building

Manassa was incorporated in 1889. Manassa’s wide streets, such as those typically found elsewhere in towns started by Mormons, are fashioned in a grid system. 

Geographical Trivia: The town fits perfectly in a township and comprises close to one square mile, made up of eight blocks by eight blocks for a total of 64 city blocks. 

Today the community (and generations from all over the San Luis Valley and beyond, celebrate Manassa Pioneer Days with a colorful parade known for its amazing floats goes down Main Street on two days. At the fairgrounds you can watch horse races, rodeo events, motocross races, a very popular demolition derby, fireworks, live entertainment, barbecues, and a morning 5K run.

Cultural Trivia: Notable People

• Jack Dempsey (aka The Manassa Mauler) was born in Menassa where his parents worked for the Church of Latter-Day Saints. William Harrison “Jack” Dempsey was an American professional heavyweight champion boxer The Jack Dempsey Museum honors the legacy and memory of the famous boxing champion.
• Ken Salazar, grew up near Manassa. He was appointed by President Joe R. Biden to serve as United States Ambassador to Mexico, former Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, former U.S. senator, Democrat, first elected 2004 for a six-year term. Former Attorney General for the State of Colorado.
• John Salazar, grew up near Manassa. He served as Commissioner of the Colorado Department of Agriculture from 2011 to 2015 and U.S. representative from Colorado’s 3rd congressional district from 2005 to 2011. John Salazar is the brother of Ken Salazar.

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#1. Jack Dempsy Park and Museum

We visited the Jack Demsey park along Main Street in Manassa, Colorado in early November on a beautiful sunny day and enjoyed that the park grass was still green :).

• Jack Dempsey Park – Google Maps
  • Jack Dempsy Museum website – more information
• Jack Dempsey Birthplace – Google Maps
  • Jack Dempsey – Wikipedia – learn more about his life and boxing career

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#2. Interesting Blend of Spanish and Morman Heritage in the form of Churches

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Google Maps
  • Bishops’ Storehouse – Google Maps – “The bishop has the responsibility to care for the poor and needy within the boundaries of his ward. One resource available to accomplish this task is the bishops’ storehouse—a place where those in need can go to obtain food and other supplies at the recommendation of their bishop.” (source: Church of Latter Day Saints > Provident living > Bishops Storehouse )
• Old Catholic Church in Manassa – the brick building still stands, but is not open
• Our Lady of Guadalupe parish – Google Maps – active Spanish Catholic church located 9 miles away in the tiny town of Conejos, near Antonito

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#3. Pioneer Days – Celebration of Manassa’s Origin Story

Our visit did not coincide with Manassa’s Pioneer Days, but it sounds like an amazing celebration of history and community!

Manassa Pioneer Days is one of the oldest festivals in the state of Colorado, tracing it’s history back to the founding of Manassa in 1879 by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Manassa originated with convert immigrants from the southern states and saints who had previously settled in Utah, but were “called” by their church leaders to help with settlements in the San Luis Valley. These saints from Utah brought with them the tradition of celebrating the 24th of July, in honor of Brigham Young’s arrival in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah on July 24, 1847.

We now celebrate with a 5k run (in its 45th year), a parade known for its amazing floats, a carnival and live entertainment down-town, as well as the infamous hamburger stand. At the rodeo grounds, two days of rodeo events and the incredibly popular demolition derby are held. And on Saturday night, as the festivities die down, fireworks and the lighting of the “M” on the mountain remind us why we love our heritage and this amazing small Colorado town. We’re grateful for the pioneers from many different backgrounds that made Manassa home.  (Source: https://www.manassapioneerdays.com/)

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Events

• July 24: Manassa Pioneer Days

Map of Manassa