Old Spanish Trail Landmark
A historic trade route that connects Santa Fe NM with Los Angeles, CA and crosses 6 states!
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History and Heritage
Historic Engine 169
Created to meet passenger train needs for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, this engine was part of an order of 12 engines and is said to be one of the oldest surviving locomotives of the D&RG Railroad!
Read More >Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Built in 1880, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a proud remnant of the spirit that won the west. It's path through steep passes and deep gorges is the stuff of adventure novels--taking passengers on the ride of lifetime.
Read More >Historic Exploration: 4 Trails in the the San Luis Valley With Fascinating History
The San Luis Valley is brimming with history, beginning with Native American Paleo-Indian cultures that date back to 11,000 years ago. The Ute people inhabited the valley for much of its early history, and the Spanish began exploration of the modern-day San Luis Valley in the late 16th century.
Read More >San Luis Valley History Museum
The San Luis Valley Museum, located at 4th and Hunt in Alamosa, features displays of the diversified cultures and arts of the area. Among the various displays in the museum are the costumes worn in the 1860's by frontiersman, Tom Tobin, and numerous Indian artifacts and clothing of the late 19th Century. In the museum, visitors can experience two display rooms; one is a typical old school room and one room displays a traditional trading post. Also on display are fascinating collections of railroading memorabilia, cultural artifacts of the early settlers, farming and ranching, and a display of arrowheads and exotic insects. A veteran's memorial wall honors those who served, with varied displays of uniforms from World War I and World War II. A unique collection of old hats and dolls is also on display. Rotational displays are planned for future diversified exhibits. Stop in and browse the gift shop while you are there. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Read More >Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway
Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway. Translated, the name means "the ancient roads" - aptly named for its tour through 16th century Spanish territorial expansion at its northernmost boundary. Colorado's cradle of Hispanic culture lies in the San Luis Valley, a mystical basin where sandhill cranes feed in the marshes, farmers till the soil, and North America's tallest sand dunes press up against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Read More >Alamosa Train Depot
The Alamosa Train Depot doubles as a historical site as well as one of Colorado's 9 Welcome Centers, located right in downtown Alamosa. Alamosa was founded, in part, to accommodate the railroad. The first Denver & Rio Grande train arrived in Alamosa in 1870.
Read More >Historic Downtown Alamosa Walking Tour
A stroll around Alamosa’s downtown reveals its history and small town charm. From red brick to pressed metal ornamentation and glazed colored tile, Alamosa is a study in the architectural trends that have passed through the nation since the 19th century —late Victorian, commercial brick, Mission Revival, and Art Deco styles stand side by side in this tightly constructed area.
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