Holly in Prowers County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Explore Santa Fe Trail History
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2023
1. Explore Santa Fe Trail History Marker
From cattle kings to cowboys and cow towns to hell on wheels railroad camps, this portion of the Santa Fe Trail encompasses all of the legends of America's Old West.
Hiram S. Holly, town founder, arrived here in 1871 with 1,300 cattle. His 50,000 acre ranch was the first settlement in the area and became one of the largest in the West. The SS (Double-S) extended from Granada on the west to the Kansas state line on the east. This entire area was enclosed by fence until 1885. The SS stone barn is where towns people met to stave off Indian raids. By 1882 the SS was providing services and shopping for employees and area neighbors. The SS grew to nearly 2.5 million acres after selling to a private company. About thirty cowboys were employed by the SS to handle the cattle. SS Ranch headquarters was located south of the Holly Depot.
Colorado ranchers didn't want Texas longhorns using the same forage and crops as their American cattle because of the danger to other livestock and interbreeding. The longhorns spread tick fever, which they were immune to but other cattle were not. In 1883 a plea for a cattle trail with established
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In 1885 Martin Culvert established Trail City just east of Holly at the border. It was one of the wickedest towns in the west created to fleece thirsty, women-eager cowboys out of their pay after long cattle drives. Saloon patrons regularly tossed bottles out their back doors into dry Kansas. The lawless Trail City was the Hell Hole on the Arkansas. Trail City boomed and had a population of 500 in 1886. In 1887 a decline in the demand for Texas cattle and increased homesteads caused trail drives to dwindle and the population dropped to 50 by 1888.
In 1894 the railroad arrived at Holly and a wood framed depot was built. By 1902 the Santa Fe had loading chutes and pens for cattle, sheep and hogs, a mill, elevator and warehouse on the railroad right of way. Holly was incorporated in 1903.
Holly's brick depot was built in 1912 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. It is one of only four in Colorado possessing the Mission Revival style. A style built for county seats and other important stops.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2023
2. Explore Santa Fe Trail History Marker
Looking southeast through the Colorado Department of Transportation Holly Rest Stop grounds.
Big Timbers Museum
Features a variety of artifacts related to the Santa Fe Trail era like the Madonna of the Trail, war artifacts from Sand Creek Massacre, and a WWI poster collection. See a rare 10-star First National Confederate Flag and their collection of antique wagons, trucks and cars.
Bents New Fort
William Bent built a new trading fort of stone in 1853 on a rocky knoll above the Arkansas River. The new fort served as a trading post and army supply center for Fort Wise, later known as Fort Lyon. Walk the NPS interpreted trail at the site.
Fort Lyon
In 1860 the army built Fort Wise, later known as Fort Lyon, a mile west of Bent's New Fort on the river bottom. Fort Lyon became a distribution center for commodity goods to the Indians. The Fort was later moved to its current location after flooding.
John Martin Reservoir & Lake Hasty
Visitors can explore the sea fossils on the shoreline. The park is one of the few public places to walk along the actual Santa Fe Trail.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2023
3. Holly Railroad Depot (1912)
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Holly SS Ranch Barn and stone residence (on private property) can be seen from the depot, looking south.
Foundations on private property are all that remain of Trail City, except for an old saloon that was moved to 111 Elm St., Coolidge, Kansas. Now the Trail City B&B welcomes visitors to stop and stay.
Located off US 50 on County Road 35 to County Road JJ. Turn east for 1.4 mile, turn south onto County Road 35.25 for Ό mile. Stop in at The Lodge at County Acres, 2951 Hwy 28/385 in Lamar to learn more from the property owner or to tour Bent's New Fort.
Buffalo Bills Wild West Show Headdress
Located off US 50 five miles from Las Animas on 15700 Co Rd HH. Visit JW Rawlings Heritage Center located at the only stoplight in Las Animas to learn more.
Visit the Army Corps of Engineers office near Hasty Lake at the state park to learn more of Bent County prehistory.
Erected by Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Santa Fe Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 38° 2.974′ N, 102° 3.082′ W. Marker is in Holly, Colorado, in Prowers County. It can be reached from Santa Fe Trail Scenic Byway (U.S. 50/400 at milepost 467.4), half a mile west of the Colorado/Kansas state border, on the left when traveling west. The marker is at the Colorado Department of Transportation Holly Rest Stop. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Holly CO 81047, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 New Spain, the Comancherνa, the Dust Bowl, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Arkansas River (a few steps from this marker); Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Colorado (a few steps from this marker); Trail City (a few steps from this marker); Santa Fe Trail (approx. 2½ miles away in Kansas).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . The Santa Fe Trail Interactive Map Sites to Visit in Colorado (National Park Service).
Excerpt: Here's a fun, exciting way to find places to visit. Zoom in to find a location in Colorado, then click on the yellow balloon of your choice to see the site name, address, access, image, and website. You'll find museums, interpretive centers, and historic sites that provide information and interpretation for the Santa Fe National Historic Trail.(Submitted on December 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 5, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
