Lamar in Prowers County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway

Colorado

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2022

1. Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Marker

Inscription.
The Heart of the Old West
Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway is an 188 mile portion of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail designated as one of America's Byways and a Colorado Scenic Byway. The entire Santa Fe Trail begins in Missouri and ends in Santa Fe New Mexico. Before 1821 everything south of the Arkansas River was Mexican Territory. After Mexico won their independence from Spain, trade opened up and the Santa Fe Trail served as a link between Mexico and the United States. This created a rich exchange of ideas, culture and goods from 1821-1881.

The trail's legacy endures as Victorian buildings, historic ranches, landmarks, stage stops, watering holes and wagon wheel ruts. This map will help you discover the heart of the old west at points of interest along the Mountain Route of Colorado's Santa Fe Trail.

The Marking of the Santa Fe Trail
The Colorado Daughters of the American Revolution (D. A. R.) began marking the Santa Fe Trail in 1906 and completed it in 1912. Thirty-six granite stones were placed on Colorado's Santa Fe Trail. They mark wagon ruts, watering holes and stage stops. The Big Timbers marker is north of the Arkansas River bridge near the museum.

[photo captions]
• Lamar, Colorado
• 1907 DAR Dedication Ceremony, Lamar, Colorado
• National

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Historic Sites

• Bent's Old Fort NPS
• Bent’s New Fort NHS
• Fort Lyon Kit Carson Chapel NHS
• Boggsville NHS
• Sand Creek NPS Massacre Site
• Trinidad History Museum NHS
• Amache Japanese Internment Camp NPS

• US Forest Service Comanche National Grassland

• Timpas Picnic Area
• Picket Wire Canyon
• Vogel Canyon
• Sierra Vista Overlook

• Colorado State Parks

• Trinidad Lake State Park
• John Martin Reservoir Birding Blind

Erected by Prowers County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 38° 6.926′ N, 102° 37.141′ W. Marker is in Lamar, Colorado, in Prowers County. Marker is at the intersection of Scenic U.S. 50/287 and State Highway 196, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 50/287Scenic . Marker kiosk is located at the Big Timbers Museum Interpretive Park, on the south side of the museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7515 US-50 Scenic Highway, Lamar CO 81052, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of

Marker detail: Santa Fe Trail Byway Map image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Santa Fe Trail Byway Map

this marker, measured as the crow flies. Big Timbers Museum Collection (here, next to this marker); Explore Big Timbers Region (here, next to this marker); Santa Fe Trail (here, next to this marker); Santa Fe Trail, 1821-1880 (a few steps from this marker); Iraqi Freedom Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Big Timbers (within shouting distance of this marker); Madonna of the Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Lamar Railroad Depot (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lamar.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 16, 2022

3. Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Kiosk

(looking northeast • Big Timbers Museum in right background)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 9, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.