New sign provides information on old monument

An effort that began five years ago came to fruition this week when officials from the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Plateau Valley Historical Preservation Society and the Palisade Historical Society installed a new sign just off Interstate 70 at Exit 47 in De Beque Canyon.

The new sign was produced by CDOT and was placed in front of a stone monument that was first dedicated in 1931. Known as the Pioneer Monument, the rock obelisk was originally set just off the road at the entrance to Plateau Canyon. In 1965, when I-70 construction was beginning, Pioneer Monument was moved to its current location on the south side of the interstate near the Cameo truck stop.

Plateau Valley Historical Preservation Society contributed money for the sign and to replace the deteriorating rock top on the 1931 monument, with assistance from Palisade Historical Society, Mesa County and others. The group is still working to raise funds to replace plaques on three sides of the obelisk that have disappeared over the years.

— Bob Silbernagel

Kieth Villa, Beverly Duzenak, Val Dussor and Ronald Elsberry with new sign installed Monday in front of the Pioneer Monument off Interstate 70 at Exit 47. Villa and Elsberry are with the Colorado Department of Transportation, Region 3 sign section. Duzenak and Dussor are members of the Plateau Valley Historical Preservation Society.

BOB SILBERNAGEL