The Brighton History Detective has put her sleuthing skills into action once again to discover the fascinating story behind a little-known headstone tucked away in Elmwood Cemetery. The headstone bears the interlaced Olympic rings of blue, yellow, black, green, and red. Together, they symbolize the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.
Olympic Rings Headstone Tribute
The special tribute headstone honors two-time Olympic Athlete, Lloyd Alvin Hahn (1898 – 1983) and was first discovered by former Cemetery Manager, Aaron Corr. Risa Rich first shared Hahn’s story in the 5th Annual Historic Cemetery Walk. Rich, a popular and favorite presenter of the historic tours, is shown depicting Hahn in the following photo.
1924 Summer Olympic Games (Paris)
Lloyd Hahn competed in the 1924 Summer Olympic Games held in Paris, France‒the same Olympic Games where Johnny Weissmuller won five gold medals and Harold Abraham’s athletic feat inspired the movie “Chariots of Fire.”
Olympic Medals for Hahn
Hahn finished sixth in the 1500-meter run. He competed four years later in the 800- and 1500-meter runs at the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. Although he didn't get out of the first round in the 1500-meter run, Hahn won his opening heat and the semifinal in the 800-meter run before finishing fifth in the final. Those finishes followed Hahn’s word record set in the 800-meter run at the 1928 Olympic Trials.
Six World Records Previously Set by Hahn
Previously, Hahn had set six world records as a member of the United States' 3520-yard relay team in 1926 and won three gold medals in the 440-yard dash in 1919 and 1920 as a Falls City, Neb. High School senior at state track meets. After high school, Hahn attended Brown University for a year before joining the Boston Athletic Association, which he represented in the two Olympics.
Hahn's Eventual Retirement to Brighton, Colorado
Hahn retired from athletics on his thirtieth birthday, Aug. 7, in 1928. He then farmed for the next 25 years in his home state of Nebraska. He married his wife, Agnes Julia “Dollie” Langdon, in 1933. The couple had two children, Mary Anne and James. Hahn sold his farm in 1958 and moved to Colorado (first living in Meeker, then Rangely, and finally Brighton).
Induction into Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame
In 1961, Lloyd Hahn was inducted into the Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame.
The Olympic-Ring Headstone Location
To pay their respects to Hahn, tombstone tourists will find his Olympic-Ring headstone in Section 25 of Elmwood Cemetery, Brighton, Colo. Walking south on Aspen Lane from Elmwood Dr. (the cemetery’s north entrance road), walk approximately 2/3 of way (before arriving at Cedar). Looking west from Aspen Lane, the gravesite is located approximately 2/3 of the way between Elmwood and Cedar.
Meet More of Elmwood’s Intriguing and Not-to-be-Forgotten
Hahn's story is exclusive to this Cemetery Chat by the Brighton History Detective. However, to discover some other intriguing characters of Elmwood Cemetery, visit http://clearcreekpub.com (Our Publications tab) to learn about A Stroll through Elmwood: a graveside (or bedside) tour of a cemetery’s most intriguing and not-to-be-forgotten by Robin Kring (aka the Brighton History Detective).
Recently updated in late 2022, the guide takes you on a self-guided physical, or virtual, tour of the stories and gravesites shared in Elmwood’s First Annual Historic Cemetery Walk. Meet fascinating characters like Lloyd “Red” Barker, of the infamous “Ma” Barker Clan; a 49-er goldminer; and the Schell twins who tragically drowned in the now-missing Carmichael Lake. The book also shares the history of Elmwood Cemetery, the story of Brighton’s founding father Daniel F. Carmichael, a Glossary of Memorial Architecture, and a Tombstone Tourist’s Guide to Hidden Symbolism. Purchase your copy (now available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle versions), packed with 20+ stories and 140+ photos (color & black and white) today at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQXYK655.
About the Author
Robin Kring (aka The Brighton History Detective) is a local historian and an author of 10 books and over 100 magazine articles. Kring has served on the Brighton Historic Preservation Commission and led the Colorado Preservation, Inc. Most Endangered Places Team for documenting and photographing the historic Brighton Great Western Sugar Factory. She also had the pleasure to serve on the Brighton Cultural Arts Commission and on the authoring team for the City of Brighton Cultural Plan. Kring, who lives on a historic site connected to Brighton’s founder, D.F. Carmichael (and later the first Adams County Courthouse and County Jail) is a local history speaker and a frequent Tour Guide Presenter for Elmwood’s Annual Historic Cemetery Walks. For information on Kring's publications, visit http://clearcreekpub.com (Our Publications tab).