Jack Dempsey Museum and Park

Discover The World's Greatest
Heavyweight Boxer Of The 20^th Century

412 Main Street
PO Box 130
Manassa, CO 81141
(719) 843-5207 (Evelyn Tibbets at Town Hall)
Michelle Richardson
Subject line must include "Jack Dempsey"

Open 9-5 Monday - Saturday
Memorial Day Weekend through September
No Admission Fee

Statue of Jack Dempsey in Manassa, Colorado

Jack Dempsey

Manassa’s most famous figure was heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey, who left the community to make a life outside the San Luis Valley. He won the heavyweight championship in 1919, after knocking out Jesse Willard, but he lost it to Gene Tunney in 1926.

A museum in his honor, dedicated in Manassa in 1966, is housed in the cabin in which Dempsey was born. It contains several artifacts of Dempsey’s career, including the gloves he wore in the New York fight and numerous black-and-white photographs, which line the walls.

The people in Manassa still celebrate his greatness, which stimulates them to succeed on their own in many professions, especially the medical.

This article was published in the “Summer in the South” tourism guide on Wednesday, June 14, 2000, and was written by Frederick Sanchez.

The Town of Manassa, Colorado

This historic town was founded in 1878, after Mormon settlers arrived from the South, through Pueblo, fleeing persecution because of their faith. They also came from Utah and New Mexico, and they arrived near Los Cerritos, a settlement of Hispanics, who helped their Mormon neighbors survive a cold winter.

After Manassa was established, the Mormon faith helped the settlers survive throughout the years, and many expanded families lived in the town that is now the biggest community in Conejos County.

Manassa residents celebrate their foundation and their heritage every year on July 24, when they celebrate Pioneer Days.

Click on any image for a larger view and more information

	JACK DEMPSEY Tough and Rugged
Dempsey Strikes A Fighting Pose
	DEMPSEY vs TUNNEY Jack Stands Over The Downed Tunney, Refusing To Return To A Neutral Corner
DEMPSEY BIRTHPLACE Now Home To The Jack Dempsey Museum And Park
	REAR VIEW OF THE CABIN Note The Old Well

Jack Dempsey Museum and Park

Discover The World's GreatestHeavyweight Boxer Of The 20th Century

Discover The World's Greatest
Heavyweight Boxer Of The 20^th Century