Dr. Andrew Gulliford
It wasn’t only men who won the West! Across Colorado and perhaps the entire Rocky Mountains, there was only one female jackpacker who ran a string of burros carrying food, supplies, and dynamite into remote high altitude mines. On her return trips she carried heavy sacks of gold and silver ore and at least once she packed out a deceased miner. Olga Little, only 5’ 4” and a 138 lbs. earned a solid reputation as a packer in the La Plata Mountains. This is the story of her 40+ year career told from the people who knew her and from magazine and newspaper accounts. What did Olga Little do to become famous? She was a muscular, resourceful woman who excelled in a man’s vocation.
Presented by Andrew Gulliford, professor of history and Environmental Studies at Fort Lewis College.
SW Colorado History Month