Oldest Town in Colorado

Oldest Town in Colorado. . , The birthplace of Colorado is here! On April 9, 1851, the Town of San Luis was founded as the first permanent settlement in Colorado. This settlement was in the northernmost frontier of Hispano lands and very few ventured into this unknown territory. Repeated attempts to build communities here were met with difficulties such as the harsh environment and clashes with native people who used this valley as hunting, gathering, and trading grounds. , The geographic and economic' isolation of San Luis and neighboring villages helped preserve the culture and traditions that remain here as they did over a hundred years ago. The Spanish language that is still spoken is reminiscent of 16th century Spain and maintains uniqueness from the contemporary Spanish language. , The people who settled here brought deeply-rooted traditions from Spain and established a unique lifestyle, religious beliefs, and a rich heritage. , Many people who live here are the direct descendants of the earliest settlers who established the first churches, businesses, and traditions that exist in Colorado today. , [photo captions] , . La Acequia de la Gente, or the San Luis People’s Ditch, was hand-dug. It is over 100 miles long and is the first recorded water right in the State of Colorado, dated April 10, 1852. , . The first courthouse in Colorado is the only adobe courthouse in existence in the state. , . “La Vega” is the last remaining commons in the U.S. that is still used for its original purpose (Boston Commons is the other, but is now a park). At 540 acres, La Vega has been maintained by the local citizens for more than a century in much the same way the early settlers cared for it. Shared maintenance of the land is a testament to a community built on trust and dependence on each other. , . R and R Market, owned by the Romero Family, is the oldest continuously family-owned business in Colorado, for over 100 years. , Timeline [across bottom of interpretive panel] , 1812 . War of 18 12 between U.S. and Britain , 1832 . Conejos Guadalupe Land Grant bestowed by Mexico to 50 New Mexican families , 1843 . Sangre de Cristo Land Grant bestowed by Mexico to Narcisco Beaubien and Stephen Lee , 1846-1848 . Mexican American War , 1848 . U.S. defeated Mexico, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed , 1851 . Settlement of San Luis established (oldest town in Colorado) , 1852 . U.S. military establishes Fort Massachusetts , 1852-1860 . Other settlements established on east side of valley: San Pablo Garcia, San Pedro, San Acacio, Chama, Los Fuertes, Jaroso, San Francisco, Mesita , 1854-1870 . Guadalupe settled (earliest permanent settlement on west side of the San Luis Valley): Mogote, Conejos, Los Rincones, Las Mesitas, San Rafael, Ceniceros/Lobatos, Cañon, Capulin, Los Sauces, Los Cerritos, La Florida, La Isla, Espinoza, El Centrito , 1858 . Fort Garland established , 1861 . San Luis Valley becomes part of Colorado Territory , 1861 . Colorado becomes U.S. Territory , 1861-1865 . U.S. Civil War , 1874-1888 . Mormon settlers establish: Manassa, Richfield, Romeo, Sanford, Morgan , 1876 . Colorado granted U.S. statehood , 1877 . Denver and Rio Grande Railroad arrives in San Luis Valley near Fort Garland , 1878-1880 . Railroad settlements/towns established: Alamosa, La Jara, Antonito , 1883 . Fort Garland abandoned , 1900 . La Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (SPMDTU) founded in Antonito