While many Americans today would likely cite Abraham Lincoln as one of the nation’s greatest presidents, the widespread love for this historical figure wasn’t always a thing – in fact, those who opposed Lincoln actually ended up having such a prominent presence in Colorado that it ended up resulting in the name of a peak getting changed.

According to a book called Colorado Place Names by William Bright, published in 1993, Colorado’s Mount Democrat obtained its name thanks to a push from bitter Southerns who supported the Democratic Party.

In order to better understand the reason behind the switch, it’s important to address the local landscape of the Mount Democrat area.

Mount Democrat has long-been one of Colorado’s busiest fourteeners in terms of hiking, found overlooking Alma in Park County. In 2020, the peak saw an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 hikers as part of the popular ‘Decalibron’ loop that links four 14,000-foot peaks – Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, and Bross. This route is considered to be relatively less technical compared to many other fourteener climbs around the state, which is part of its mass appeal.

In terms of this discussion, it’s important to take note of the peaks found along the Decalibron Loop – specifically, Mount Lincoln.

Following Lincoln’s victory in the 1860 presidential election as a Republican, Southerns who largely supported the Democratic Party weren’t too happy – keep in mind, this was a time of great political stress that led up to the Civil War, which started in April of 1861. Disgruntled Southerners in Colorado, many of whom were here for mining, felt even more scorned when the decision was made to name 14,293-foot Mount Lincoln in honor of the newly elected Commander in Chief.

As a result of their opposition, these local Southerners who supported the Democratic Party gave a nearby 14,154-foot mountain then referred to as Republic Mountain or Mount Buckskin a new name in 1861 – Mount Democrat. Presumably, this was under the belief that if Lincoln were to be represented in the Mosquito Range, the Democratic Party should be, as well. The two peaks, standing side by side, became a symbolism of the rivalry between the two political sides.

As political tensions boiled, the Civil War started that same year, stretching until 1865. As nearly every American knows, the Union won under the guidance of Lincoln, defeating the Confederacy of the South.

Despite the loss of the Confederacy, the ‘Mount Democrat’ name stuck, ultimately getting officially added to maps in 1883. Since then, the peaks have remained mostly unchanged over the past 140-plus years – including their names.

And there you have it – that’s how one of the most well-known 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado got its name.

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