In 1887, Nast traveled across the United States on a lecture tour.  In many towns, he was given souvenirs.  In Colorado, he was greeted by Senator Horace Tabor’s young daughter nicknamed “Baby” Tabor and presented with a locket.

The locket was made especially for Nast out of various metals mined in the state and contained a portrait of “Baby.”   Nast later used “Baby” Tabor’s likeness in a Christmas drawing for Harper’s Bazar.  The drawing was entitled Christkindchen, a German word for Christ child.

While in Colorado, Nast was given another gift.  While traveling on a train with the Midland Railroad company directors, the men named a snow covered mountain in Nast’s honor.  Mt. Nast is 12,500 feet high and one of the highest mountains in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains.  To this day, the mountain remains named after Nast.

Nast completed his tour in California and reportedly spoke at the Coronado Hotel in San Diego before returning home.

Source:  Thomas Nast by Albert B. Paine.