Prowers County: History on the Santa Fe Trail

Discover Prowers County through its many stories and activities: traces of the Santa Fe Trail, glimpses into Lamar’s past, and opportunities to get active offer different ways to explore. When choosing a vacation rental, you can start by considering which of these interests you want to shape your stay. Cultural history leads to different sightseeing destinations than time outdoors; you can balance the two according to your own daily plans.

History from Different Perspectives

The Big Timbers Museum is located on the Santa Fe Trail in the area once known as “Big Timbers.” It helps visitors understand the history and cultural heritage of Southeast Colorado. The Lamar Welcome Center also brings together several historical themes: it includes a visitor center, a historical museum, and the Madonna of the Trail statue. The statue honors women who traveled the Santa Fe Trail; the Welcome Center marks the end of the trail’s era.

Lamar’s past is also reflected in its buildings and public planning. The AT&SF Railway Passenger Depot in Lamar was built in 1907. Willow Creek Park was Colorado’s first Civil Works Administration project and Lamar’s first planned park. The depot and park thus represent different aspects of local history: rail transportation and the planned development of a public park.

Amache and the History of the Granada Relocation Center

Amache is a National Historic Site near Granada on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail and is also known as the Granada Relocation Center. From 1942 to 1945, more than 10,000 people were incarcerated there, most of them U.S. citizens. The precise dates and scale of the incarceration are central to understanding the site.

Visitors to Amache will find informative kiosks, a museum, and a driving tour through Amache. These offerings provide different ways to learn about the site. The annual Amache Pilgrimage is associated with Camp Amache in Granada, Colorado. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the event dates in advance.

Getting Active Around Lamar

The Lamar Loop is a 6.2-mile (10 km) circular route around the city of Lamar. It is designed for jogging, cycling, and walking dogs. The loop gives your day a defined opportunity to get active; which of the three activities suits you depends on your own plans. As route details may be updated, check them before your outing.

Dogs may run off leash in the fenced area of Maggie Stanley Dog Park. If this is important for your visit, check the park rules beforehand, as they may change.

Planning Your Trip

U.S. 50 and U.S. 287 pass through Prowers County. For historical exploration, a self-guided tour takes visitors to 16 properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These offer different ways to explore: a clearly defined loop for outdoor activity and a tour with several historical destinations.

When searching for a vacation rental, you can use this distinction to guide your trip priorities: Would you like to focus mainly on cultural history, or would you also like to include the Lamar Loop? If you are traveling with people who have different interests, comparing the options can help you decide how to balance your activities without planning every outing in the same way.

Discover more destinations: Lamar, Eagle, Chaffee, Larimer, Rio Grande County, Douglas, Boulder, Saguache County

For the main travel overview: Colorado.