Blog: The Emma Crawford Tribute Limited Edition: Blue On Red

When I opened my new gallery in Manitou Springs, I quickly learned that my shop would be located right at the start of the famous Coffin Races to be held this year on October 26, 2024. I had never heard of the races or the person whose legacy they honor, Emma Crawford. But when I read about her life and death, I felt a special connection to her story and I quickly learned everything I could about her short life in Manitou Springs.

Emma Crawford was born March 24, 1863
She moved with her family to Manitou Springs in 1889, hoping the spring waters and mountain air would help her heal her illness of tuberculosis.

Emma was an accomplished musician, particularly on piano, and an avid lover of nature. She believed an Indian spirit guide was beckoning her to climb Red Mountain, and at some point she accomplished this feat, proving her achievement by tying a red scarf to a pine tree on the summit.
When she passed away in 1891, her family and friends honored her wishes to carry her casket to the summit of Red Mountain, and bury her under that tree.

In 1912, The Red Mountain Incline was built, and as owners of the land they insisted that Emma’s grave be moved to the other side of the mountain. So she was reburied, but unfortunately a series of strong storms washed her casket down the mountain, and some of her remains were recovered by neighborhood children. What was recovered was reburied in a local cemetery.

The Coffin Races honor Emma’s memory by racing a coffin down Manitou Avenue.

When I learned of Emma’s story, as a musician and nature lover I felt a connection, and decided to honor Emma’s legacy by hiking to the summit of Red Mountain on the morning of the Blue Super-moon—a very rare occurrence of a full moon at perigee, the third full moon in a season with four full moons.

I had clear skies, and after hiking up in the dark and upon reaching the summit in the “blue hour” shortly before sunrise, I captured the full moon setting behind Cameron Cone, with Pikes Peak in the distance. The bright 'star' above the moon is the planet Saturn! Did I place the red scarf on that tree—and could it be the same tree or a descendent of the one Emma loved? I can’t say for sure—but photographs of the original burial tell me I was in the right place at the right time. I did not alter the photo in any way other than to use a custom (cool) white balance to capture the mood. I hope you enjoy this tribute to Emma.