Historical Markers and War Memorials in Las Animas County, Colorado
Trinidad is the county seat for Las Animas County
Adjacent to Las Animas County, Colorado
Baca County(2) ► Bent County(7) ► Costilla County(3) ► Huerfano County(2) ► Otero County(17) ► Pueblo County(14) ► Colfax County, New Mexico(23) ► Union County, New Mexico(21) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
This replica is an exact copy of a large dinosaur bone unearthed in 2008 from a quarry located in Picket Wire Canyonlands. Apatosaurus is among the most massive land animals ever to exist. A member of the long-necked, plant-eating dinosaur is called . . . — — Map (db m184919) HM
This Catholic church and cemetery are important components of the small Hispanic community in Picket Wire Canyonlands dating from the late 1870s through 1890s. In 1889, Damacio Lopez, the original owner, sold this land to Reverend Bishop Mattz of . . . — — Map (db m182455) HM
Farmhand to Cattle Baron Eugene Rourke was born on St. Patrick's Day in 1849 in Wicklow County, Ireland. The younger of 10 children, Eugene and his
family immigrated to La Salle, Illinois in 1852. Tragically, his
parents died . . . — — Map (db m181884) HM
Today the Purgatoire River rolls through a rugged, arid landscape in a deeply carved
canyon—but imagine a lush conifer forest and verdant ferns right where you're standing!
Learning from the Layers
The layers of rock at the . . . — — Map (db m181056) HM
The Rourke Ranch Historic District, listed on the National
Register of Historic Places in 2000, is a striking example of a late
19th century cattle ranching enterprise. The ranch played a significant role in the settlement and . . . — — Map (db m181947) HM
A famous discovery was made right here along the Purgatoire River! During the Jurassic Period, hundreds of dinosaurs once inhabited this area when it was a vast lake. As they plodded through the mud along the lakeshore, the dinosaurs left behind . . . — — Map (db m181254) HM
From the air, you can see
the tracks of two sauropod
dinosaurs walking side by side
along the ancient lakeshore. The
discovery that some types of
dinosaurs lived in large herds like
modern animals happened because
of parallel tracks . . . — — Map (db m181013) HM
A day of festivity was followed by one of the darkest in American Labor history.
The state militia was on guard
Because tensions between the strikers and the company had been steadily escalating, the state militia was stationed on . . . — — Map (db m100513) HM
Most miners lived in company-owned towns like Berwind.
The miners often lived in company-owned towns near the mines where they worked.
Because of their isolated location, miners were forced to buy provisions at company stores, live in . . . — — Map (db m193636) HM
Excavations of the Ludlow tent cellars permitted archaeologists to contribute to the historical record.
The cellars provided the most comprehensive snapshot of daily life in the tent colony.
The goals of archaeology at Ludlow were to . . . — — Map (db m193557) HM
The legacy of those who fought and died in the strike is evident in workplace rights enjoyed today.
Miners lost the strike but paved the way for labor reform.
The coalfield strike ended in December, 1914, when the UMWA was forced to . . . — — Map (db m193556) HM
Between 1997 and 2002 archaeologists studied the living conditions of miners in southern Colorado.
Archaeologists carried out excavations at the Berwind coal camp and the Ludlow tent colony - two sites from the 1913-1914 Colorado coalfield . . . — — Map (db m193558) HM
Even though conditions were harsh, colonists forged friendships and a sense of community.
Approximately 1200 people lived in 200 tents made of canvas and wood.
Based on excavations, tents averaged 10 x 14 feet in size and were . . . — — Map (db m193627) HM
The following statements are from people who were involved with the tragedy. They come from official records and oral histories.
"They used to scrub by hand, go fetch the water a mile [or] two, [at] 3:00 in the morning. We used to make . . . — — Map (db m193570) HM
On April 20, 1914, the State Militia unleashed an un-warranted attack on striking coal miners and their families living in a tent colony at this site. Eleven children and two women suffocated in a cellar beneath a tent when flames engulfed the . . . — — Map (db m100509) HM
History often neglects or omits the 1913-1914 Colorado coalfield strike and massacre
Looking onto this prairie, you see one of several places where coal miners lived during the strike.
Miners demanded better wages, an eight-hour work . . . — — Map (db m193668) HM
The United Mine Workers of America has fought for workers rights at home and abroad.
The UMWA accepts all mine workers regardless of race, religion or national origin.
The UMWA was founded in Columbus, Ohio, on January 22, 1890. It . . . — — Map (db m193590) HM
On the morning of 21 August 1944, two B-24 Liberator Bombers collided in mid-air and plunged to earth killing eighteen men.
Crew of 42-51517
Lt. Horace M. Jenkins, Cheyenne, WY
Capt. Royal J. Brock, Columbus, OH
Lt. Clair A.Clark, . . . — — Map (db m77885) HM WM
Trail of Commerce
The heavily laden freight wagons traveled in parallel columns to minimize dust and for convenience when circling the wagons at night or when danger threatened. A circle of wagons provided a fine defensive position. But the . . . — — Map (db m77883) HM
Bent's Ranch on the Purgatoire River
In the fall of 1846, William Bent, supervising partner of Bent's Fort, selected a site on the Purgatoire River, about five miles downstream from here, to create one of Colorado's first farming-ranching . . . — — Map (db m77886) HM
In the late 1860s, directly across the street stood the Colorado Hotel, a two-
story adobe building fronted by a wooden arcade. It was the station for the Denver Santa Fe Stage Line and, for several days, the refuge of some 60 Anglo town residents . . . — — Map (db m100505) HM
At a time when the military banned women, former slave Cathay Williams disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the all-Black 38th Infantry in 1866. She served honorably as Pvt. "William Cathay" for nearly two years. Ready to give up army life, . . . — — Map (db m135774) HM
"Raton" is Spanish for "Mouse".
On mountain branch Santa Fe Trail.
Crossed by Kearny's Army of the
west in the Mexican war and by
first regiment, Colorado Volunteers
in the civil war. "Uncle Dick"
Wooten's toll road built 1865.
Railroad . . . — — Map (db m77853) HM
Panel 1
Road to Santa Fe
"...for it begins upon the outside line of the outside State (Missouri) and runs directly toward the setting sun..." - Sen. Thomas Hart Benton, following the Santa Fe Trail survey, . . . — — Map (db m97715) HM
This monument
marks the route of the
Santa Fe Trail
1822 - 1879
placed by the
Daughters of the
American Revolution
and the
State of Colorado
It also commemorates
the faithful work of
Harriett Parker Campbell . . . — — Map (db m77856) HM
Jews have been part of Trinidad's social, economic and political life since first arriving as traders along the Sante Fe Trail. Maurice and Isaac Wise opened a store on Main Street in 1867. The Jaffa Brothers' Trading Company was established in . . . — — Map (db m135690) HM
For centuries, miners have been taking canary birds down into their mines to warn them of potential disaster. If a tunnel or shaft collapses or is blocked, thereby diminishing the oxygen supply, the canary will be the first to react, usually dying, . . . — — Map (db m100501) HM
Engine 638 was manufactured in 1906 and put into service with the Colorado & Southern R.R. for service at Trinidad for hauling coal, cattle, agricultural products and general merchandise.
Later the engine saw service in other areas of . . . — — Map (db m116849) HM
Panel 1
The Ludlow Massacre
By April 1914, the striking coal miners encamped at Ludlow (ten miles northwest of here) had nothing to lose but their lives. Poor, powerless, largely immigrant, they had held out for . . . — — Map (db m97716) HM
This memorial is the
Property of the State of Colorado
The Santa Fe Trail
1840 - 1878
Two roads or forks of the Mountain Branch
of the Santa Fe Trail-Bent's Old Fort to
Taos and Santa Fe-joined . . . — — Map (db m104912) HM
The Santa Fe Trail was a major trade route to and from Santa Fe, New Mexico between 1821 and 1880. Wagon ruts, visible from the highway, evidence the thousands of caravans that traversed the route during its 59-year period of use. The Santa Fe Trail . . . — — Map (db m191749) HM
Trinidad: A Place to Explore and
Until the 1700s, the Ute people traveled the Mountains of western Colorado, and the Apache controlled the eastern plains. The Apache gave way to the Comanche between 1720 and 1805, and the Ute extended . . . — — Map (db m188717) HM
The brick and stone two-story building with a cupola, directly across the street, was Trinidad's first city building, serving not only as Firehouse No. 1 but also as the city hall, police department, and jail. Until it was built in 1888, city . . . — — Map (db m105536) HM
Marker Front:Dedicated to those who gave the supreme sacrifice
Benjamin J. Belarde, USA • Gary V. Orsland, USMC • Roger A. Blatnick • Isamel B. Armanda, USMC • Peter V. Metas, USA • Bennie Romero, USA • Felidephio B. Gomez, USMC • Anthony . . . — — Map (db m62861) WM
Panel 1
Welcome to Colorado
Colorado's vast plains, rugged mountains and grand plateaus, so magnificent in their beauty and variety seem at times to overshadow the state's history and people. But look closely. The . . . — — Map (db m97739) HM
During the miners' strike that began in September 1913, when the United Mine Workers of America was trying to unionize the coal mines of Colorado, their most effective public speaker, organizer and morale-booster was nationally famous Mary Harris . . . — — Map (db m100500) HM
Dedicated to all men and women who served in WWII from 1941-1946
Fr. Leo Doyle S.J. · Fr. Joseph Haller S.J.
Fr. Charles Robinson S.J. · Fr. Victor Vifquain S.J.
Fr. Victor Dossogna S.J.
Committee
Nick G. Debono · Frank A. Deluca . . . — — Map (db m62862) WM
