Those choosing Prowers County for a stay will find a clear focus on cultural history: Amache and the Santa Fe Trail offer distinct historical perspectives, while Lamar’s buildings and park history open up further points of interest. There is also a self-guided tour of listed properties and districts, as well as a few opportunities to get active. This makes it possible to plan a trip around the desired balance of history and activity.
Amache and the Santa Fe Trail
Amache is a National Historic Site near Granada on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail and is also known as the Granada Relocation Center. From 1942 to 1945, more than 10,000 people were incarcerated there, most of them U.S. citizens. This time period distinguishes Amache’s history from the Trail connections, which recall an earlier history of travel. Visitors will find informative kiosks, a museum, and a driving tour through Amache. This gives visitors several ways to learn about the site, from the information at the kiosks and the museum to a drive through the area.
The Madonna of the Trail Statue honors women who traveled the Santa Fe Trail. The Big Timbers Museum offers a different perspective: it is located on the Santa Fe Trail in the area once known as “Big Timbers,” and helps visitors understand the history and heritage of Southeast Colorado. The statue commemorates travelers, while the museum focuses on the area’s historic name and the wider regional heritage. Their shared connection to the Trail offers a way to compare these different historical themes.
Historical Perspectives in Lamar
The Lamar Welcome Center represents the end of the Santa Fe Trail era. The center includes a visitor center, a history museum, and the Madonna of the Trail Statue. These features give the site a multifaceted role as both a visitor facility and a historical landmark.
Lamar’s architectural and park history also offers its own points of interest. The AT&SF Railway Passenger Depot in Lamar was built in 1907. Willow Creek Park was Colorado’s first Civil Works Administration project and Lamar’s first planned park. These facts highlight different aspects: a named railway depot on the one hand, and an early public project and the planned development of a park on the other. This extends the historical focus beyond the Trail to include architectural and urban history.
Tour and County-Wide Orientation
In Prowers County, a self-guided tour visits 16 properties and districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It complements the individual named historic sites with a broader overview. The figure explicitly includes both properties and districts. For getting oriented around the county, the road connections are also specific: U.S. 50 and U.S. 287 cross Prowers County. If you are locating the region on a map, these two named highways provide reference points for the area.
Loop Route and Other Activities
The Lamar Loop is a 6.2-mile (10 km) loop around the city of Lamar for jogging, cycling, and walking your dog. Alongside the historical attractions, it offers a clearly described route for getting active. Route details may be updated; check them before setting out.
If you’re visiting with a dog, the Maggie Stanley Dog Park has a specific rule: dogs may be off leash in the fenced area. Off-leash access applies only to this area; check the park rules before your visit. The shooting range at Two Buttes State Wildlife Area has both a rifle range and a pistol range. Access requires a currently valid hunting, fishing, or State Wildlife Area pass. Check the pass requirements again before you travel.
Discover more destinations: Lamar, Moffat County, Mineral County, Washington County, Huerfano County, Larimer, San Juan County, Montezuma County.
For the main trip overview: Colorado.
