The D500 is a chain-drive diesel-mechanical locomotive built in Mesita, CO, 25 miles south of Blanca, at the workshops of the Colorado Aggregate Co. during 1954-56. It was designed and built by Channel Wilcox of Denver, CO and George Oringdulph of . . . — — Map (db m281439) HM
Rail transportation reached the San Luis Valley in the form of the narrow gauge Denver & Rio Grande Railway, completed to Alamosa in 1878. The track was standard-gauged in 1899. Meanwhile, efforts to cultivate the Valley demonstrated the soil's . . . — — Map (db m281433) HM
Trails throughout the San Luis Valley tell many stories of those who have lived and visited here. They speak of prehistoric animals, bands of native hunters and gatherers, Spanish explorers, Mexican traders, American soldiers, and many others. . . . — — Map (db m295403) HM
Honoring with Pride Costilla County Veterans
A list of veterans from the Civil War through Operation Desert Shield is engraved on the marker. — — Map (db m64065) WM
This property was presented to the State Historical Society by the Fort Garland Historical Fair Association, which saved the fort for posterity. Established November 30, 1945, as a memorial to the first Colorado settlers, and the U.S. Army troops . . . — — Map (db m281275) HM
This memorial is the
Property of the State of Colorado
———
Fort Garland
United States military outpost
to protect settlers from
hostile Indians. Named for
Brig. Gen. John Garland . . . — — Map (db m22731) HM
Front
The Soldier’s Life
Fort Garland housed infantry and cavalry units. During the 1870’s the famed Buffalo Soldiers—African-American cavalrymen—were also posted here. For all soldiers—and their families—life at Fort Garland was . . . — — Map (db m71032) HM WM
Western expansion and the need to keep peace between settlers and indigenous people fueled the need for frontier forts. Fort Garland was established in 1858, replacing the earlier Fort Massachusetts, just six miles to the north. Five of the . . . — — Map (db m295462) HM
Secured by the U.S. Military from attacks by native peoples, new settlements and mining camps began developing in the San Luis Valley. Long used trails and wagon roads were updated and turned into toll roads. “ 'I had a dream' wrote William . . . — — Map (db m295486) HM
Two U.S. military forts, only six miles apart, on the fringes of the frontier? What gives? Since the early 1800s, Hispano people from northern New Mexico had attempted to settle in the San Luis Valley on land granted from Spain or Mexico. To . . . — — Map (db m295482) HM
What is a National Heritage Area? A national heritage area is a region recognized by the United States Congress for its unique qualities and resources — natural, scenic, cultural, historic, and recreational. Rich in history, religion, . . . — — Map (db m295451) HM
The majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains facing you, or “La Sierra,” are the life of this community. This land was part of the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant, issued to Narciso Beaubien and Stephen Lee in 1843 by the Mexican government. With . . . — — Map (db m294298) HM
The acequia (ah-say-kya) system, a thriving example of environmentally wise self-government, merges influences from Spain and North Africa. Acequias are long, gently sloping ditches that carry water from rivers and streams to the fields. All . . . — — Map (db m293699) HM
Hispano pioneers founded Colorado's first permanent settlements. Settlers began pushing northward from Taos toward present Colorado in the early 1800s, and in 1844 the Mexican government gave the Sangre de Cristo land grant to two Taos residents. . . . — — Map (db m281598) HM
The oldest continuously used ditch in Colorado, with court decree priority No. 1, and dating from April 10, 1852. Dug by the pioneer settlers of Colorado. Colorado's greatness is built upon irrigation. ——— This tablet is the property of . . . — — Map (db m281600) HM
Located within the National Historic Landmark District of La Plaza de San Luís De La Culebra Listed to the National Register of Historic Places on December 22nd, 1978 — — Map (db m294294) HM
The Sacred Circle Mission Churches lie in Costilla County, Colorado — nestled at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Construction of the nine original historic buildings in the Sacred Circle began in the mid-1850s and continued until . . . — — Map (db m294299) HM
In May 1991 Rev. Pat Valdez of the Sangre de Cristo Church journeyed to Rome with twenty-nine parishioners for an audience with Pope John Paul II. They were accompanied by sculptor Huberto Maestas, a San Luis native and creator of the town's . . . — — Map (db m293688) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m294296) HM
[left panel] All the inhabitants shall have use of pasture, wood, water, and timber and the mills that have been erected shall remain where they are, not interfering with the rights of others. No stock shall be allowed in said . . . — — Map (db m294491) HM
Colorado's earliest non-Indian occupants were Hispanos. Migrating north from present-day New Mexico in the mid-1800s. These colonists battled the Ute Indians for control of the San Luis Valley while the United States and Mexico warred over the . . . — — Map (db m293599) HM
In honor and memory of those from San Luis and Costilla County who gave their lives in defense of freedom World War II Korean War Vietnam War — — Map (db m294479) WM
Commemorating the historical importance of the pioneers who were responsible for the first permanent settlement in Colorado.1851 ——— This tablet is the property of the State of Colorado ——— Erected by the State Historical Society of Colorado . . . — — Map (db m281599) HM
The Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway travels through the upper Rio Grande Valley and crosses the Continental Divide. Creede, Lake City, and South Fork are historical complements to this extraordinary scenic byway. Our Lady of Guadalupe . . . — — Map (db m293698) HM
What is a National Heritage Area? A national heritage area is a region recognized by the United States Congress for its unique qualities and resources — natural, scenic, cultural, historic, and recreational. Rich in history, religion, . . . — — Map (db m294295) HM
