Lamar brings together several themes that can carry different weight when planning a trip: history and culture, birdlife, parks, and a loop around the city. Downtown is at the intersection of U.S. Highway 287 and U.S. Highway 50; the Santa Fe Trail is also associated with this downtown intersection. Historically, Lamar marks the end of the Santa Fe Trail era. If you’re looking for accommodations in Lamar, it may help to first decide what you want to focus on: would you like to explore trail history and cultural sites, or put nature at the heart of your visit? The Madonna of the Trail statue, dedicated in 1928, and The LaMar, which opened as a movie theater in 1946, mark two different points in Lamar’s cultural history.
History and culture
The Madonna of the Trail statue in Lamar was dedicated on September 24, 1928. It is one of twelve original replicas erected along the Ocean-to-Ocean Old Trails Highway. The statue is therefore part of a series that extends beyond the town itself.
The Big Timbers Transportation Museum displays antique wagons, cars, and trucks, as well as objects related to the Santa Fe Trail. The Big Timbers Museum is located one mile north of Lamar and helps visitors understand the history and cultural heritage of southeastern Colorado.
Architectural history is also represented: The LaMar opened in 1946 as a single-screen movie theater with 832 seats, in the High Art Deco style. Its facade and marquee were colorfully illuminated. This movie-theater history adds another cultural dimension to Lamar’s trail connections.
Nature and parks
More than 400 bird species pass through Lamar each year, and the area is also home to numerous monarch butterflies. The High Plains Snow Goose Festival takes place in Lamar. The wetlands offer geese places to rest and feed. For travelers who want to focus on nature, bird migration and wetlands are options alongside the area’s cultural and historical attractions.
Lamar’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains around 200 acres of developed parks and public spaces. Willow Creek Park was the first planned park in Lamar. The acreage refers to the parks and public spaces maintained by the department, while Willow Creek Park is one individual park in Lamar’s planning history.
Loop and transportation
The Lamar Loop is a 6.2-mile (10 km) loop around the city. It offers a defined route option alongside the cultural and nature-focused themes.
The historic Lamar Railroad Depot is served daily by Amtrak trains for arrivals and departures. If you’re planning an Amtrak arrival or departure, check the schedule before you travel. This lets you factor the train connection into your plans while also weighing the time-sensitive cultural and nature interests for your stay.
For the broader travel overview: Prowers County.
