Tom Noel, a.k.a. "Dr. Colorado," is one of the state's leading historians. A new edition of his book "Colorado: A Historical Atlas," features more than 300 pages of fascinating Colorado trivia. He spoke with Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner and taught him a thing or two -- or seven -- about this state. How many of the following facts did you already know?
1. Naming Rights
Colorado wasn't the only name considered for the state. Among the other names considered were "Jefferson," "Yampa," "Idaho," and "Tahosa."
2. Finland's Mesa Verde Connection
A large collection of artifacts from the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings currently sits in the Museum of Cultures in Helsinki, Finland. Swedish scholar and explorer Gustaf Nordenskiöld took them from the now-national park because no laws at the time restricted the collection and removal of artifacts.
3. Zebulon Pike's Misjudgment
Explorer Zebulon Pike -- for whom Pikes Peak is named -- estimated the height of the mountain to be 18,581 feet: He also predicted that no one would ever reach the summit. It was later, more accurately, measured to be 14,115 feet. More than 600,000 people ascend the peak annually by foot, car, and train.
4. More Than Mining Ghost Towns
There aren't just mining ghost towns in Colorado. There are also agricultural ones. Some examples are New Memphis, in Douglas County, Antlers in Garfield County, and Peoria in Arapahoe County.
5. Movie Mecca
Cañon City was once a mecca for silent film shoots. More than 50 full-length features were filmed there between 1911 and 1912 -- many by the Selig Polyscope Company of Chicago. Though, at the time, 15 minutes was considered full-length.
6. The New Deal Was More Than Red Rocks
Many folks are familiar with the fact that the fabled Red Rocks amphitheater in Morrison was built by the New Deal's Works Progress Administration. But the Monarch Ski Area and the old Stapleton Airport in Denver were also New Deal projects.
7. Shhh. The Ute Is Sleeping
Legend has it that one day the Sleeping Ute Mountain will wake up and chase out any newcomers, thus rightfully returning the area to the Ute people.
Listen to the full interview above for more little-known facts about Colorado.
