Jack Dempsey Museum
Road Trip to Manassa, Colorado – The Birthplace of Jack Dempsey
Story by Joseph Rinaldi
Photos by Jackie Rinaldi and Joseph Rinaldi
To really experience what the United States has to offer, I suggest you simply get into your car and drive. Whether you go by yourself, with your family or a friend, it is a life-changing experience. My family members are typically my road trip pals. We pick a destination, pack some of our favorite snacks, and hit the road.
Thanks to my dad and road trip pal, John Rinaldi, and constantly moving for my job as a TV news director, I just needed to cross one more state off my list to visit all 50 states: New Mexico. This summer, I did just that. My mom and I flew to Denver and drove south to New Mexico. The adobe buildings, southwestern food and stunning views were amazing, but one stop is a must, especially for boxing fans: Jack Dempsey’s Birthplace Museum.
You are probably thinking, Jack Dempsey is the Manassa Mauler from Manassa, Colorado. That is not New Mexico; however, it lies on the border between the two states. So, my mom and I took the 2-hour drive from Santa Fe, NM to Manassa, CO.
The drive itself is breathtaking. We saw wildlife, like wolves and pronghorns, and we saw just how beautiful the desert can be. Once you crossed into Colorado, the mountains came up on both sides of our car and we found ourselves in the small town of Manassa.
In Manassa, we found our way to the museum and met the curator, Michelle Richardson. She has been managing the museum for years and has a deep family history to Manassa. Michelle, along with her mother and grandmother even met the boxing giant in their small town. One parade memory also ended with a sweet kiss from the champ himself to her grandmother! He was the champion of the world, but to everyone in Manassa and the valley region of Colorado, he was their hometown hero.
The museum dedicated in 1966 is actually the cabin where the legendary former heavyweight king was born and raised. The house was moved only a few blocks to the location it stands today. Within the four walls of this cabin, there are artifacts from his early days in Colorado to his championship battles in the ring.
Dempsey was heavyweight champion from 1919 after knocking out Jesse Willard until 1926, when he lost to Gene Tunney. He reigned king of the ring at the height of boxing during the Roaring Twenties, when the glitz and the glamour of Hollywood and athletes ruled the American popular culture. Jack Dempsey was the best and most popular.
In this museum and around it, you can take a step back in history. Follow his humble roots and heritage and behold how he became the man and the pugilistic immortal he is today. From his Cherokee background to his immediate family, he lived and fought with his heart on his sleeve in Manassa and beyond.
There are heroes and then there are Jack Dempseys. The sport of boxing really catapulted into a world-wide phenomenon thanks to Dempsey.
From the boxing gloves to the shoes he wore, you can see how tough some of those fights were. The gloves and scuffmarks from those famous and historical fights are enough to really comprehend just how tough he was, as well as his iconic competitors.
Remember, heroes do not just pop up in our big cities. Sometimes, they are made in the Heartland by people like you and me. It is important to remember where we come from and just how vital it is to honor and visit the many communities in this country. The hardworking men and women from East to West and in the Heartland work every single day inspiring others. Jack Dempsey once said, “A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.” He learned that from his childhood in Manassa.
So, if you need a place to explore in our country, look to Colorado and the New Mexico border. There is a ton to see already, but really explore these towns, like Manassa, because these are the places where champions are made every single day.
The Jack Dempsey Birthplace Museum is located at 412 Main Street in Manassa, Colorado. The visiting hours are 10-5 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. It is closed during lunch from 1:00 to 1:30. Admission is free. The contact number is (719)-843-5207.
Tell them you heard about the museum on The USA Boxing News Website.
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Press Photo See colorized video of Jack Dempsey