Baca, Felipe (1828 – 1874)
Don Felipe Baca was the man responsible for the founding of Trinidad. Baca first camped on the Purgatoire River in 1842, while on his way to sell goods at the new Cherry Creek settlement.
Baca settled his family in the Trinidad area and filed on land near the river. The fertile soil produced the best crops the Bacas had ever seen. In addition to farming, Baca raised cattle and sheep.
He donated land so that a Catholic Convent could be built. He was very prominent in political and social events that shaped the community of Trinidad. The stately Baca mansion is now a museum.
He is buried in the Old Section of Trinidad Catholic Cemetery.
