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Commissioner presents historical case to correct 'Nicholson Creek' spelling; board directs staff to vet process
Summary
Commissioner Steve presented family and archival evidence to support changing the federal and county spelling of Nicholson Creek to match the longstanding local family spelling; the board asked the attorney's office and staff to vet the proposal and suggested the county could first rename a county road while the federal process proceeds.
Commissioner Steve presented research at the Jan. 7 meeting asking the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners to support an application to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to correct the spelling of Nicholson Creek so it matches the historic family spelling "Nicholson." He summarized family homestead records, newspaper clippings, cemetery records and local maps to show long‑standing local use of the Nicholson spelling.
Why it matters: Commissioner Steve said the creek runs through land homesteaded by the Nicholson family and that family members served in local public roles over many decades. The change would align federal mapping with local historical records and family usage; the board discussed next steps and legal process for making the change official.
Commissioner Steve showed archival land patents dating to 1903 and census and newspaper references documenting multiple generations of the Nicholson family living and working in the upper Roaring Fork Valley. He noted the U.S. Geological Survey’s map and some county records spell the creek "Nickelson" (or other variants), while family documents and other local sources spell the name "Nicholson." He said the county road and internal county documents also show inconsistent spellings.
Staff and commissioners discussed procedural steps: the application to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names typically takes about six months, may require additional documentation, and could require sign‑offs from federal land managers such as the U.S. Forest Service where the creek begins in wilderness areas. Commissioner Steve said he had attempted to contact Nicholson family members and a current landowner, Garland Lassiter, who he said had indicated he would be willing to provide a letter but had not yet done so.
Board members suggested two practical steps: first, have county staff and the county attorney’s office research the formal process and any local notice or consent requirements; and second, consider renaming the county road (available at county authority) to the corrected spelling as an interim local action that may support a federal name change application.
No formal resolution or vote was taken at the meeting. Commissioners directed the attorney’s office and appropriate staff to review the Board on Geographic Names process, to identify required evidence or owner consent, and to return to the board with recommendations on whether to submit a formal application, draft a county letter of support and/or draft a county resolution.
Ending: Commissioners encouraged Commissioner Steve to gather additional family endorsements and documentation and to coordinate with staff and the county attorney before a formal application is submitted to the federal board.
