Mariano Medina (also Modena and Modina), born in Taos in the province of Santa Fe de Nuevo México (now the state of New Mexico),[4][5] was of Native American and Spanish heritage.

[4][5] He was a scout and interpreter on expeditions for the United States Army[4][5] and officials for eleven years,[5] throughout the western frontier.

[6] From the sketch of his life, it "has been one of ceaseless activity, hazard and privation, his Indian fights and skirmishes far outnumber his years, and his hair-breadth escapes seem almost miraculous.

[4] Medina established a toll bridge across the river and settlement, Namaqua, with a school, church, and a post office.

[6] The Medina family members were buried .5 miles (0.80 km) from their house in a cemetery, now a historic landmark in southwest Loveland, Colorado.

[4] The Loveland Historical Society engaged Olivia Lowe to create the copper-panel sculpture, "Gazing at Longs Peak", in memory of Medina.

[4] The first permanent settler in the Big Thompson Valley, Medina established a trading post called Fort Namaqua.

[2][3] The fort was located west of the present-day Namaqua Road and on the north side of the Big Thompson River, where Medina built and operated a toll bridge.

The walls were up to 20 inches thick and the roof was built with logs, sandstone slabs, and topped with a foot of earth.