La Junta in Otero County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Railroads Built this Town
Photographed by Leslie Eudy
1. Railroads Built this Town Marker
Modern Rails Mimic the Santa Fe Trail
The town of La Junta was established as a temporary stop on two rail lines.
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad
The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad arrived in La Junta in 1875, and built a depot, repair shops, and roundhouses. The company made La Junta the headquarters of the Colorado Division and began expanding their rails south to cross Raton Pass into New Mexico.
Kansas Pacific Railroad, Kit Carson Branch
The Kansas Pacific Railroad also arrived in La Junta in 1875. Just three years later, however, the Kit Carson Branch was sold and the rails taken up.
The Fred Harvey House
Fred Harvey is credited with creating the first restaurant chain in the United States. Harvey Girls were recruited from the East Coast and the Midwest, answering ads for young women, 18-30 years of age, of good character, attractive, and intelligent. They earned $17.50 per month, plus room, board, and tips.
Bakery goods were of such excellence, and in such great demand by all dining cars, that stewards would order enough bakery goods to last to Los Angeles, and back to La Junta, rather than use goods from other hotels. The baker was Ernest Stangl from Europe. -Remembrances of D.K. Spenser, 1911-43.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. 37° 59.234′ N, 103° 33.217′ W. Marker is in La Junta, Colorado, in Otero County. It is on Warren Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in La Junta on the west side of town, south of Hwy 50. Turn south on Barnes Ave, left on Belmont Ave and left on Warren Ave. Marker is across the parking lot from the AT&SF Locomotive 1024. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Junta CO 81050, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas River Valley and in the Eastern Plains. It is also in the American Mountain West, on the Great Plains, on the Southern Plains, on the High 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 the Comancherνa, the Dust Bowl, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bent's Old Fort along the Santa Fe Trail (here, next to this marker); Explore the La Junta Region (here, next to this marker); Recreation on the Comanche Grassland (here, next to this marker); Ranching and Farming (here, next to this marker); City of La Junta (here, next to this marker); A Cast of Colorful Characters (approx. 7.7 miles away); No Fur, No Fort (approx. 7.7 miles away); Mountain Men to Merchants (approx. 7.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Junta.
Photographed by Leslie Eudy, October 5, 2025
2. Railroads Built this Town Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2025, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 13, 2025, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
