Fort Wootton Veterans' Memorial Square
Erected through the cooperation of Federal, State and local governments by Works Progress Administration. Dedicated to the enrichment of human lives. A record of permanent achievement.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Forts and Castles • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.
Location. 37° 10.116′ N, 104° 30.154′ W. Marker is in Trinidad, Colorado, in Las Animas County. It is on South Chestnut Street just south of East First Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, inside the west/front entrance alcove. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 South Chestnut Street, Trinidad CO 81082, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Mountain West, on the Great Plains, on the Southern Plains, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comanchería, the Dust Bowl, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cathay Williams (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (about 300 feet away); Trinidad History Museum Complex (about 400 feet away); Women & Children's March, 1914 (about 400 feet away); The First Stage Stop (about 500 feet away); Temple Aaron 1889 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Aultman Studio (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Capital of Open Range Ranching (approx.
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Fort Wootton (Living New Deal).
Excerpt: Fort Wootton in Trinidad, Colorado “is a giant war memorial that takes up about half a city block. It was once described as the most complete war memorial in the nation. Nine veterans’ groups teamed up with the WPA to have it built in 1936-7. It has an auditorium and meeting spaces inside.”(Submitted on August 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Fort Wootton was from its “inception a veterans’ gathering place evocative of their military training and posts, somewhat patterned after the regional historic site Bent’s Fort. Further, and fortunately, in 2018 the county deeded the property to the Las Animas County Veterans’ Council, an organization now seeking to restore the property to its WPA heritage as well as its veterans’ associations.”
2. Fort Wootton and Memorial Square (World Journal).
(by Susan Adair Harris, 12/26/2009) Excerpt: In 1936, a man by the name of Irwin B. Rogers who had served in the Navy (the commander of the Trinidad chapter(Submitted on August 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)of the Disabled American Veterans of the World War and of the Camp of Sons of the Confederate Veterans of the Civil War), had an idea that veterans needed a place of refuge, a place to meet with other guys who understood the jarring experience of war. He received the help of “a community capitalist and public benefactor,” a man named H.K. Holloway who donated land for the project. The design was envisioned as a fort to suggest a safe haven, separated from the outside by thick stone walls–a place where battle-weary men could hold meetings, drink to each other, and rest.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 20252. Fort Wootton MarkerThe marker is mounted at eye-level, just inside the west/front entrance alcove.The WPA built the structure using local sandstone and masons—a huge (31,000 sq ft) fort named Memorial Square. Within, six smaller forts, each 25’ X 25’, lined the walls of the courtyard. They were individually dedicated to separate veterans’ organizations: Sons of Confederate Veterans, Sons of Union War Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars (they didn’t foresee how many there would be), United Spanish War Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion. The structure also contained two turrets, one housing a ladies restroom and the other an armory. Holloway Auditorium, the seventh interior building, offered a gym for exercise and events, a stage, and even quarters to house the caretaker.
3. Veterans’ Memorial Square — Fort Wootton (FortWootton.org).
(front/west entrance)
Excerpt: “A substantial fortress of memories to stand for all time; dedicated to the gallant veterans of all American wars.”(Submitted on August 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Few dreams come true. This one did.
Kit Carson Camp № 18, Sons of Union Veterans
Unforgotten Chapter № 15, Disabled American Veterans of the World War
Fishers Peak Post № 984, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Major Edward McConville Camp № 6, United Spanish War Veterans
Stanley Hardman Post № 11, The American Legion
Michael Beshoar Camp № 266, Sons of Confederate Veterans
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 23, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
