Entry No. 23 — the Fort Collins file — filed under: haunted
Greeley History Museum — Rattlesnake Kate's Snakeskin Collection
On October 28, 1925, Katherine "Rattlesnake Kate" Slaughterback killed 140 rattlesnakes near Hudson, Colorado — first firing her .22 Remington until she ran out of ammunition, then bludgeoning the rest with a signpost while her young son watched from horseback. She later fashioned the skins into a full flapper-style ensemble: a dress, snakeskin shoes, a rattle necklace, and a headband containing 37 rattles. Before her death in the 1950s she donated the outfit to the Greeley Municipal Museum. Today it hangs in a light-filtered, climate-controlled display at the downtown Greeley History Museum, accompanied by a taxidermied rattlesnake and personal artifacts within the permanent "Utopia: Adaptation on the Plains" exhibit.
The story
On October 28, 1925, near Hudson, Colorado, Katherine Slaughterback stumbled onto a massive nest of migrating pit vipers. When her .22 Remington rifle ran dry, she pulled up a wooden signpost and beat the remaining rattlesnakes to death while her young son watched from horseback. By the time the dust settled, she had dispatched 140 snakes. Most people would have backed away slowly or left the carcasses for the buzzards, but Kate—a six-time divorcee, nurse, and self-taught taxidermist—saw raw material for a fashion statement.
She skinned her haul and set to work hand-sewing over 50 of the skins into a full 1920s flapper ensemble: a drop-waist dress, matching snakeskin shoes, a rattle necklace, and a headband bristling with 37 intact rattles. Before her death in the 1950s, she donated the entire suit to the municipal museum. It remains one of the most unapologetically unhinged pieces of wearable history on the High Plains.
What it's like
Head to the downtown museum building at 714 8th Street, bypass the standard regional agricultural history, and head straight for the permanent "Utopia: Adaptation on the Plains" exhibit. Kate's dress hangs inside a specialized, climate-controlled, light-filtered glass case—partially funded by a $5,000 drive by local historic preservationists—alongside a taxidermied rattlesnake and her personal belongings. Admission is completely free and street parking out front is straightforward, but keep in mind the museum is strictly a weekend-only affair for general walk-ins.
The move: Start with the snakeskin outfit — it will generate strong opinions — then wander the broader exhibit on Greeley's Union Colony founders. Grab lunch or a beer in downtown Greeley afterward and keep debating whether Kate was badass, disturbed, or both.
📍 Before you go Open Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Monday through Thursday for general visitors (group visits by prior booking on weekdays). Admission is free. The museum is in downtown Greeley, street parking is straightforward. The snakeskin collection is part of the permanent "Utopia" exhibit — no special ticket or reservation needed. Call 970-350-9220 to confirm hours before driving out, as schedules have changed recently.
- 📍 Greeley
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 714 8th Street, Greeley, CO 80631
Hours: Added 2026-06-11 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Downtown Oddity Parlor — Continue the macabre taxidermy thread just two blocks away with bone art, local taxidermy, and skeleton hangings.
- Colorado Model Railroad Museum — Walk two blocks down 8th Street to trade deadly prairie reptilian history for a 5,500-square-foot HO-scale train layout inside a former freight station.
- Lee Maxwell Washing Machine Museum — Drive eight miles north to Eaton to swap one eccentric pioneer collection for the world's largest stash of antique washing machines.
- Bruce's Bar — Head eleven miles west to Severance for a beer and a platter of fried Rocky Mountain oysters to round out a tour of strange local tradition.
Good to know
How much does it cost to see Rattlesnake Kate's dress?
Admission to the Greeley History Museum is free for general visitors, with no extra charge or special reservation needed to view the "Utopia" exhibit.
What days and hours is the display open to the public?
General walk-in hours are Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is closed to general visitors Monday through Thursday, so call 970-350-9220 to confirm current hours before heading out.
What else is included in the Rattlesnake Kate display?
The case holds the full flapper dress made from over 50 skins, matching snakeskin shoes, a necklace of rattles, a headband with 37 rattles, a taxidermied rattlesnake, and personal artifacts from Kate's life.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Roadside America · Official site · Wikipedia · nocostyle.com · linkedin.com
last checked: 2026-06-11