This site is located in an area that was referred to as Twin Mesa. It is located southwest of the town of Hayden. There was a brief profile of the Twin Mesa area written in the Routt County Republican July 20, 1923. Twin Mesa was not a town, but a scattered community of several families.

Initial information stated that there were two graves at this site. It appears that there could be three graves. All three graves were of children from families in the area. Review of the sites shows that at one time there was a fence enclosure approximately 6' by 6'. All that remains at this time are three corner posts. There is one headstone that is inscribed. A second stone, was originally thought to be a second marker, but is now felt that it is a foot stone for the Shafer grave. This is based on the East-West orientation and alignment of the stones. Although, there is not another field stone or marker, it is possible that a second grave and third grave is present based on the size of the former enclosure.

The grave that is marked is for the Shafer child that died in April of 1919. In the Routt County Republican April 18, 1919 was the following article: "Death of Shafer Baby" "The death of the two month old baby, Anderson Otto, of J.S. Shafer and wife took place Monday afternoon. Death was caused from leakage of the heart and came as a shock to the Shafer family as the child was found dead on the bed, not having given a struggle. The funeral services were conducted at the Shafer home by Prof. Norvell and the burial was made on the place within sight of the house. The neighbors showed their sympathy by attending the funeral in large numbers and assisting in every way possible." That the Shafer family was active in the community is noted by the entries in the "Local & Personal" section of the paper. In the same issue with the death notice it states that "Jack Shafer was circulating a subscription paper the last of the week for the purpose of building a school house in his neighborhood southwest of town. He was getting along well and the people in that section will soon have a school building." The Twin Mesa School was built and other children from the Shafer family attended classes there.

Research has confirmed the identity of the second grave as that of the Colley child. The Routt County Republican dated Oct. 30, 1925 lists the following obituary: Colley Baby Boy - The death of the Frank Colley baby occured Saturday of last week and the burial was made on the Jack Shafer's place, this making three children's grave there. The little boy was but 7 months old and had been delicate from birth. Note: This states that there was probably three graves at this site.

Land records do not show that the Shafers owned land in this section. Thos. F. Armstrong got a homestead exemption in 1920. The land was deeded to Marriam and then to Livingston in 1944. Livingston sold to Preece in 1952 and from there it went to the Circle Bar Ranch in 1971. In 1980 it was sold to the Hayden Gulch Coal Co. and is now owned by ColoWyo Coal Company.

ROUTT COUNTY CEMETERY: #RT025
COLORADO HISTORICAL SITE: #5RT954
LOCATION: 2100 ft West of Routt County Road 59B
BURIALS: 2 burials with 1 inscribed stone
CONDITION: 6 ft x 6 ft in poor condition, no fence, no sign
USGS QUAD MAP: HAYDEN, COLO. 7.5 1971; UTM 13; 299440 mE 4475790 mN
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: T5N R89W 6th PM; SW4, SE4, SE4, SW4 SEC 3

© 2004-2008 Roger & Joyce Cusick
National Association for Cemetery Preservation, Inc.nacpinc@hotmail.com

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