Discover Southeast Colorado 2011

8/6/2019 Discover Southeast Colorado 2011

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rom the publishero matter what your inter-

are, or the time of year,

e is always something ton Southeast Colorado.

Visitors and residentse will find much to satisfy

r spirit of adventure. Na-

lovers will enjoy thendant wildlife that popu-

s the region. Herds of an-

pe and deer can be seen

round and birding herexceptional.

The farms and ranchesbuilt by generations of fami-lies who survived the hard-ships of the Great Depres-sion and the Dust Bowlyears would come to providethe sustenance to help thenation grow and prosper like

no other. Many of those orig-inal homesteaders have rela-tives who still live and workon the land here. Be sure toread about their struggle tosurvive despite incredible

hardships during the dustbowl years in this magazine.

Birders will find least tern,piping plover, lesser prairiechicken, snow geese, blueheron, burrowing owl, andlark buntings to name but afew varieties that frequent

the region. A morning driveon a country road will revealan abundance of majesticbirds of prey includinghawks and numerous nest-ing eagles.

History lovers will findthat the descendants of thehardy souls who settledsoutheast Colorado havedone a fine job of preservingand protecting the artifactsthat tell the story of buildinga life in the American West. The area is home to numer-ous buildings that were con-structed through programssuch as the WPA and localhistorians are always morethan willing to provide in-formation and point visitors

towards the next tanbit of information.

The area boasts a rable number of giftedbut is also the home fully preserved and ed ancient cave art.are also dinosaur tr

the area which ascribed, along with phthe pages of Discovyear.

With its big sky pansive views of thscape it is no wondermany artists, artisanscians, and writers makhomes here.

Whether you are ha few days or are co

ing relocating to Co we hope you will fguide helpful in labout the area. Enjoy!

Mary Breslin, PubliLamar Ledger

Cover Photo: BarbaPreskorn

Cover Design: MaryBreslin

dexage 2 ..................................... Colorado Welcome Center

age 3 ................................. Lamar Celebrates 125 Years

age 7 .......................................... Area History Preserved

age 9 ...................... Homesteading During the Dust Bowl

age 17 ...... Arts on the Plains, Amache Internment Camp

age 18 ....................................... Wondrous Canyonlands

age 25 ......................................... Falconry on the Plains

age 26 ....................................... Birdwatchers Paradise

age 27 ............................................ Boating and Fishing

age 29..........................................John Martin Reservoir

age 30 .................................................. Dinosaur Tracks

age 33 .......................................... Camping and Hunting

age 34 ..................... Memorial Highway Honors Veterans

age 36 ..................................... Sand Creek Historic Site

age 37 .............................................. Calendar of Events

age 40.................................................... Music Festival

age 41.................................. SE Colorado Lodging Guide

age 42 ............................................. Public Golf Courses

g 43 Ch b f C


4/48

C L RADCOLORADOCOLORADO WELC ME CENTERWELCOME CENTERWELCOME CENTER

First stop on the way to discoverThe Colorado Welcome

ter in Lamar is one of the

tate welcome centers in

rado. Lamar was selectedepresent the state as a

come Center site because

intesected by three U.S.

ways 50, 287, and 385.

center is located in a his-

1907 Railroad Depot

ch has twice-daily Amtrak

ice between Chicago and

Angeles.

he center is open sevens a week from 8 a.m. to 5

during winter months

and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from

Memorial Day to Labor Day,

and closed only on New Years

Day, Easter, Thanksgiving,

and Christmas. Volunteers

are available to assist travelers

with their plans and answer

any questions about Colo-

rado.

The Colorado Vacation

Guides cover each region of

the state. These will give a

general overview of areas of

interest and information about

each region.

Individual brochures of spe-

cific attractions are also avail-

able to enhance the informa-tion shown in the guides.

There are also brochures cov-

ering heritage sites and muse-ums; scenic highways and by-

ways; galleries and

performing art locations;

sports arenas, and golf

courses just to name a few.

The Welcome Center also

has information covering all

the state parks. To enhancethis information, visitors will

find the Colorado National

Parks guide and regular

camping guides.

The Division of Wildlife

supplies hunting, boating and

fishing information, including

a video about watchable wild-

life and Web sites to visiting

on the Colorado Birding Trail.

Travelers are encouraged

to stop at any Colorad

come Centers to pla

next vacation.

The nine Coloradcome Centers, sponso

the state of Colorado

cated at main highw

trances. Operating fu

allocated annually by

islature.

In addition to the w

centers, the state p

funding for informatio

ices and marketing, wadministered through

orado Travel and Tour

thority under the dire

the Colorado tourism

and the Governors O

Economic Developme

International Trade.

Other Welcome

are located at Burling

Fruita on I-70; Julesbu76; Trinidad on I-25; Co

U.S. Highway 160; D

on U.S. Highway 40

Rocks on 17100 Tradi

Road I 70; Alamos

way 160 and the Rio

and at Fort Collins on I

Travelers are invite

the Welcome Center

er, Judy Douglass at 3

for further information

sistance.

Travelers are encouraged to stop

at any Colorado Welcome Centers

to plan your next vacation.

SecurityStorageOur units vary

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ousehold items

o recrectional

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Car Place, Inc.902 North Main St. P.O. Box 12

Lamar, Colorado 81052719-336-9016


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125TH125TH125THANNIVERSARYANNIVERSARYANNIVERSARYHighlights of an eventful 125 year

arbara Preskorn

s the largest rural com-

ity on the eastern Plains

olorado, Lamar began as

ransportation crossroad

g the river that for centu-

served Native Ameri-

, explorers, traders, the

a Fe Trail and the Atchi-

Topeka and Santa Fe

road. It has grown into

heast Colorados largester for business, educa-

health services, bank-

and industry.

owever, the location for

community was de-

mined in a most unusual

In the early 1880s, the

age of the Homestead

encouraged trainloads of

ple from the southernthe eastern United

es to resettle in the cen-

plains. The need for a

town arose from the

to settle the land in the

plains of Kansas and

orado along the railroad

s. Most of the land along

Arkansas River in east-

Colorado was taken upcattle ranches. In order

public lands south of the

r to be cultivated, a town

needed where a Land

ce could be located.

. R. Black owned the

h land around Blackwell

road Station west of Carl-

and he refused to allow

station to be moved to aded location where trans-

ns for homesteads and

the Government Land Office

in Garden City, worked with

gentlemen from the Santa Fe

Railroad and from adjoining

homesteads to move the sta-

tion to a homestead where

town business sites and sub-

divisions were plotted.

An urgent telegram called

Mr. Black to Pueblo. In his

absence, railroad workers

quickly loaded the station

house onto flat cars and un-

loaded it several miles to the

east, to the present location

of the Lamar Train Depot.

On May 24, 1886, the train

arriving from Garden City

unloaded many boomers and

investors who enthusiastical-

ly began bidding on town

lots. By the end of the day,

Lamar had new businesses

and soon building began for

500 new residents. The firsthotel was established in a

tent. M. D. Parmenter

worked with Mr. Holmes in

preplanning the new town.

Lamar was named after

President Clevelands Interi-

or Secretary L. Q. C. Lamar,

who served the state of Mis-

sissippi as a prominent U. S.

Senator and previouslyserved as a confederate cav-

alry officer

the new land office bill, and

by August 1886 President

Cleveland signed the bill

making Lamar the seat for

the Bent Land District.

The one thing the plan-

ners were unable to predict

was the locations propensity

for flooding when torrential

rains came. The most recent

and most catastrophic came

in 1965 when the Arkansas

River not only flooded from

the west and the south, it

also backed up as a result ofrains to the east. People

were forced to use row boats

to navigate Lamars streets.

All bridges crossing the river

from Pueblo to Kansas were

taken out by the power of

the flood except for the iron

Prowers Bridge in Bent

County.

At the time the land office was established, businesses

grew up overnight in Lamar.

A town government was es-

tablished and C. M. Morris-

on was elected the first may-

or. In a swift move in 1888,

these new settlers influenced

legislative action that lead to

dividing Bent County into

several counties and Prow-ers County was born. Lamar

lat r n th unt l ti n

needed to cure resp

illnesses and they

many grand homes new and growing city.

Lawmen such as B

terson were hired to h

tablish law and orde

on in this new town th

several saloons. Dur

election for county se

said that he walked

down Lamars Main

rattling his artillery

few short years c

who had previously

cattle on open range

settling into Lamar a

rounding rural homes

Homesteaders also

oped an extensive n

of irrigation canals wi

head gates in and aro

mar, providing wat

crops that supported

perous agricultural

tries in Lamar. A flo

was built in 1895, f

by sugar beet factorie

fa mills and a Helvet

condensary that had

tive markets. Mr. C

Maxwell was associat

the flour mill and he w

to build the Maxwell

and was instrumen

building Sacred Heart

tal, now the Prowers

Annex.

The corner of Main

and Olive has served

crossroads of two maj

tinental highways, 5

287, and supported

businesses. One of th

In the early 1880s, the passage of

the Homestead Act encouraged trainloadsof people from the southern and the eastern

United States to resettle in the central plains.


6/48

Court

card from the era

TINUED FROM PG. 3

First National Bank, lo-

d on the northwest cor-

on Wednesday May 23,

8.

he bank president and

mer Colorado State Sena-A. N. Parrish grabbed a

aliber gun and shot at

bandits who came into

bank with the words Put

your hands! This is a

kup! Brothers Ralph and

Fleagle from Finney

nty Kansas, along with

bert Royston and George

hier had planned thisbery and had cased the

k several times.

alongside his son, John Par-

rish, who was shot through

the heart. The bandits took

two bank employees hostage

along with over $200,000 and

off they went toward Kansas.

A posse ensued and air-

planes were employed to

spot the get-away car, a blue

Buick. These robbers were even-

tually caught after being pur

and Jake Fleagle was shot to

death after drawing a gun

when cornered in Branson,

Missouri. The gang had

failed to wipe a fingerprint

off a window that was rolled

down in the get-away car, en-

abling the FBI to use a fin-

gerprint for the first time in

convicting a criminal.On a better note, in Sep-

tember 1928 the Daughters

ues The Madonna

Trail at the Lamar Tr

pot.

The Maxwell Hou

located on the southe

ner of Main and Oliv

very elegant air-cond

hotel was the nicest b Amarillo, Denver and

go. It used water mis

the roof as a cooling s

It had a very large lob

doors on both Ma

Olive Streets. Valley N

Bank had an outsi

trance in the building

Beverly Augustin

hired as the hotels

Manager in 1944 after

The Maxwell House was located on

the southeast corner of Main and Olive.

This very elegant air-conditioned hotel

was the nicest between Amarillo,

Denver and Chicago.


7/48

TINUED FROM PG. 4

e university for the posi-

in Lamar and applied. I

responsible for planning

quets and service club

h meetings as well as

seeing the dining room.

Maxwell was bustling

travelers, salesmen and

emen. Couples came

sed formally to the

thly Dance Club and

men came to play bridge

ats and gloves. The cof-

shop had an outside en-

ce and it catered to

ntown business and gov-

ment workers during the

h hour.

s. Augustine met her

band Clifton when she

ked at the Maxwell. She

ned The Lassie, a wom-

apparel shoppe, across

street in 1948 where she

been every day since,

easily being the longest con-

tinuous business in down-

town Lamar. She also contin-ues to manage the Augustine

Cattle Ranch south of Lamar.

In 1937, Lamar businesses

and organizations partnered

to open the Junior College of

Southeastern Colorado with

31 students, increasing to

nearly 100 by 1940. The

Works Progress Administra-

tion (WPA) building was lo-cated on South 8th Street,

and was designed first as a

treatment center for tubercu-

losis but was not needed.

The college served people

hard hit by the depression

and the Dust Bowl who

couldnt afford to pay ex-

penses at away colleges.

In 1946, citizens of Prow-ers and Baca Counties voted

to make Baca-Prowers Jun-

ior College a tax supported

college, until Baca withdrew

in 1947 drawing another

name change to Lamar Jun-

ior College. In 1967, the City

of Lamar gifted the college

with 53 acres south of the

city along Highway 287.Several buildings were

erected to serve over 500 full

time students and in 1968

the College joined the Colo-

rado Community College

system. The college today

serves regional students as

well as those who co

specialized training

transferable courses

year colleges and u

ties.

Earlier, this land ha

donated to the city by

Eddleman along wi

land for the ball fiel

county fair grounds atrack. Ernest owned

the acreage from M

Drive south several m

a dry land farmer, h

care to support com

and business interest

mar, like many othe

minded and generou

viduals who were inst

tal in building Lamarvibrant and strong co

ty. He also donated t

where the Elks Lod

rently resides and

member of the local c

tion that built the

Cow Palace.

In 1937, Lamar businesses and organizations

partnered to open the Junior College

of Southeastern Colorado with 31 students,

increasing to nearly 100 by 1940.

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9/48

AREA HI T RYAREA HISTORYAREA HISTORY PRE ERVEDPRESERVEDPRESERVED

Museums work to save regions treasurrowers Countys Bigbers Museum is locatedhe western edge of thenty on U.S. Highway 50

North of the city of La-

The red brick buildingbuilt j 1929 as an Ameri-

Telephone and Tele-h (AT&T) transfer sta-and contains many of

solidly constructed fea-s of a building meant forstrial use.

he exhibits reflect well

ranching and agriculturals of those who settled inregion. Saddles, barbed, arrowheads and stoneacts are included in theressive collection. Any telephone switchboard,ical and dental tools andr glimpses of 19th into

20th century life are all partof this museums many arti-facts.

Even more rare is an ex-hibit of framed World War I

posters in mint conditionswhich display the artistry offamous early 20th century il-lustrators. The collection of35 posters is believed to bethe largest of its kind outsideof the Smithsonian Museum. The collection is shown inthe Weldon Green Room of

the museum, also know as

War Room because of the

many items brought home to

Prowers County from battles

as old as the Civil War and

the Spanish American Warand as recent as Desert

Storm. A rare confederate

battle flag believed to have

flown at Vicksburg in 1863

and an American battle flag

recently flown on a helicop-

ter mission in Iraq are

among the War room trea-

sures.

The museum undetop-to-bottom renova2007 and exhibits are ranged in categories ttate easy viewing.

The museums excollection includes afrom the infamous PCounty bank robberyFleagle Gang, Holidayskater Jinx Clark wborn in Lamar and latired here and a newarchive dating back

early 1900s. A nominal fee is c

to tour the museum. Finformation about theum, including events, and hours oftion is available at theums We site bigtimbseum.org.

A rare confederate battle flag believed

to have flown at Vicksburg in 1863 and

an American battle flag recently flownon a helicopter mission in Iraq are

among the War room treasures.

www.downtowngc.com413 N. Main

620 276 0891

reedom ParadeMonday, July 4 at 10 a.m. on Main Streetowntown Farmers Market in Stevens ParkEvery

hursday beginning July 7 through October 1, 5 to 7 p.m. on Main St.

ifes a Beach Sidewalk SaleSaturday, August 6 from 7 a.m.

3 p.m. on Main Street

allFest 2011 featuring Art in the ParkSaturday, Sep-

mber 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Main Street

anner Art AuctionSaturday, November 5 beginning at 7 p.m.

the Clarion Ballroom

anging of the LightsSaturday, November 12 at 9 a.m. in

tevens Park on Main Street

ark Lighting and Caroling CeremonySaturday, Novem-

er 26 at 6 p.m. in Stevens Park on Main Street

ubaChristmas Concert on Grant AvenueSaturday,

ecember 10 at 3 p m just off of Main Street


10/48

AREA HI T RYAREA HISTORYAREA HISTORY PRE ERVEDPRESERVEDPRESERVED

ove of history reflected in museumCarson Museum

he Kit Carson Museumocated in the southeastner of Las Animas. Turnh on Highway 101 andwill see the long whiteack style building that is

entrance to the building.

s you enter the museum,r eyes focus on dinosaurks, mounted buffalod, black and white por-s of William Bent andWoman. This room tells

what will follow in indi-al rooms displaying the

ory of the area.

he museum is one of theman prisoner of war bar-s and each room isue with artifacts from

mid 1800s to late 1900s.room shows many dif-

nt styles of phones asas a switchboard.

ou may enjoy the farmement room. Thee is the

nish room with a very un-al rug that is thought toe the wool pounded to-

er rather than weaved.

he last room in the muse-s dedicated to Llewellynmpson, Ambassador tosia during the Cuban cri-Presidents he served and

es he had been are dis-ed throughout the roomell as his scrapbooks.

Pike advised the Presidentin 1805. Thompson advisedPresidents of the mid 1900s. The history of both can beseen at the Kit Carson Muse-um in Las Animas.

Kiowa CountyHistorical Museum

Kiowa County HistoricalMuseum can be found at1313 Maine in Eads. Theyare open afternoons fromMay through September. The museum houses arti-facts from the Easternplains.

The Towner bus tragedyhappened near here. Youcan see one side of a similarbus the children rode in toattend school. On March 26,1931, 20 children and theirbus driver started homefrom school but becamestranded for 33 hours during

a snowstorm. Six did not sur-vive. Their tale is told here.

A banking section has var-ious banking machines ondisplay. Ledgers from thebank were saved and remainat the museum.

Visiting Bents OldFort Historic Site

As you approach the gate, you smell a cottonwoodcampfire. Entering the plaza

you hear the clang of black-smiths hammer on anvil.You are greeted by guide in19th century garb muddied with adobe. Welcome to1846! Welcome to Bents OldFort! Here is preserved thesite and story of a famoustrading post. The fort wasone of the significant centersof the fur trade on the SantaFe Trail. Builty by Bent, St. Vrain & Company in 1833,the post was the center of aprosperous trading empire

for 16 years. Strategically lo-cated, the fort paved the wayfor U.S. expansion as an in-strument of manifest destiny.Today, Bents Old Fort is re-born; faithfully reconstruct-ed by the National ParkService in 1975-76 on the siteof the original post. Inter-preters in period clothing tellthe important story of this

crossroads of culture, where Americans, Native Ameri-cans, Hispanics, and othercultures came together totrade. Come back to thattime and experience thesights, sounds, and smells ofthe past at the Castle on thePlains.

Two Buttes Libraryand Museum

Theresa Hendricks hasbeen the librarian and cura-

tor of the Two Buttes and Museum for onl years, but she hasformed it into a cheermunity center wherdents come to chebooks and can enjoyorganized memorabil Two Buttes early The museum is open 10:00 to 2:00 pm or bcial appointment by Two Buttes Heritageopment at 719.326.010

Patients of the local who moved to Twofrom Chicago in the 1cure a lung ailmentbring him all sorts oesting items, includinman skull. His recorequipment are on along with items fromment days. His originais across the street arenovation.

Two Buttes comhas recently rediscthe complete recordsdevelopment and opof the Two Buttes Resa picturesque recreatinow operated by thrado Division of W These records aregoing archival filing

museum is in the 191building across from tpost office

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11/48

DUSTDUSTDUST BOWLBOWLBOWLSemiarid regionalism grows out of Dust Bowl

reams of landownership, trials and resolutio

arbara Preskornial to The Lamar Ledger

oday the High Plains oforado and Kansas, Okla-

a, New Mexico and Tex-are home to successful

hing and farming opera-s as well as small busi-es and industry in ruralmunities. The region issely populated and dot-

with scenic and historictions, grasslands and

yons, rivers, creeks ands. It is ideal for travelersnew businesses seekingt spots, adventure andeational opportunities.

eople who live here enjoywide open spaces and

ural traditions estab-ed over a century ago.

there have been somehard times experienced

settlers to the region.othy Egans recent booke Worst Hard Time out-s personal accounts of

people survived, ort the countrys worstmade environmental dis-r that went on for a dec-

any times then, peopleght they were experi-ng the absolute end ofearth. What is remarka-

about this story is that soy people endured incred-hardships and loss ofbut stayed on their

esteaded lands untilgood times returned.

he hardest hit region wased the Dust Bowl inmid-1930s by AP report-

Robert Geiger, who gotht i f th t i

southwestern Nebraska,western Kansas, the panhan-dles of Texas and Oklahoma,northeast New Mexico andsoutheast Colorado.

When extended droughthit the Plains and Prairiestates (Montana, the Dako-tas, Ohio, all of Nebraska,Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas,eastern Colorado and New

Mexico) combined with in-creased farming practicesthat did not consider the im-pact of plowing up millionsof acres of grasslands in asemiarid region, it resultedin hundreds of huge blowingdust and fine sand stormsthat went on for years.

Culture during this era wasmolded by the unprecedent-

ed extensive drought charac-terized by extremely hightemperatures in summermonths. During wintermonths, childrens schooling was disrupted and theirsports were suspended whengymnasiums were turnedinto temporary Red Crosshospitals for those sufferingfrom dust pneumonia. Simplerural people wanted a bit ofland they could live off of,they wanted to be part of

ll iti th

Bowl, but it was the last thingthe people needed who camehere to prove up a smallamount of land to call theirown.

Widespread agriculturalpractices on Central andHigh Plains homesteads be-gun in the 1800s were ba-sically unchanged from thosepracticed east of the Missis-

sippi River, where it was wetand humid. There was a com-mon belief that rain wouldfollow the plow when occa-sional dry spells beset thenew farmers. Leaving landopen to erosion betweencrops combined with the mi-gratory nature of many farm-ers contributed to the severi-ty of the storms that would

eventually make life unbear-able.

As soils became badly de-teriorated, no moisture re-mained in them so theywould no longer stick togeth-er, turning them into to aflour-like powder. These roll-ers drifted into fields, smoth-ered crops and buried fencesand sometimes trees andbuildings, leaving a desert

wasteland unfit for living,much less for making a liv-ing

many were malnourishsuffered depression,coming close to sta They were plagued sect and rabbit infeand they lived in abodleaked dirt. So muchbuild up inside that were required to lift itlowing each storm.ceilings collapsed fro

weight of this sandy diDuring storms, dus

be so thick, seeing inshomes with lanterns wcult; and looking to tdows revealed onlyblack. People ate withblecloth over their heabies had their cribs c with wet blankets tothem from dust illSome had no means able transportation tthem to leave, and theno assurances of jobwhere.

People prayed for raoften times when it dthe hardpan didnt allsoak in, resulting ifloods and some deathpeople were washed with their farm bu

Even with full reservowell developed irrigattems as existed in th


12/48

ust ow from page 9nd soaked to a depth

would allow crops tow enough before the rowse filled with fine dust.

any religious people be-d that the end of the

h was upon them; thatDivine was punishing hu-

kind for transgressions.ple joined churches ast Bowl conditions persist-Photographers were senthe region by the federalernment to record the

of these people caughte worst of times.

ongwriters and poets, as Oklahoman Woody

hrie, put human response

ese conditions to versescould be shared, bond-

people throughout the re-. Music and squarees were common wayscommunities could get

ther and relieve thesses of their lives.

ommunity leaders

stressed the toughness anddetermination of the people,who would not be driven outof their homes and off theirlands. Soup kitchens werecreated for people with no re-sources. Lines grew longerwith each passing year. Some

even ventured to find thebeauty in the storms. Theyformed the Last Man Clubin the Oklahoma panhandle.

The Great Depression,which began in 1929, result-ed in part, from the nationsstruggle to balance supplyand demand economics fol-lowing World War 1. Duringthe war, additional cultivation

on the Plains states had beenencouraged by the federalgovernment. Huge amountsof wheat were needed to feedEuropeans that werent ableto obtain it from Russia. There was no oversight fol-lowing the war to curtailwheat production, to balance

what was needed with whatwas being grown.

Just previous to the war,European and eastern Ameri-cans were drawn to home-steading open range land inthe early part of the century.Ranchers and cattlemen, who

warned of overturning anymore of the prairie grass-lands, were overruled bythose interested in Westernexpansion and eventuallyhad to adapt to farms beingfenced with barbed wire tokeep their free ranging cattleout.

Without knowing it or be-cause there were no over-

sight commissions, home-steaders applied farmingtechniques inappropriate tograsslands where rain aver-aged less than 20 inches per year. With the invention ofthe tractor, this became easi-er and faster than ever, com-pounding the eventual prob-

lems.

Once past the 98 Mconsistent annual raingins to drop significawell as the general huSemiarid conditions ias elevation rises at th

Meridian and beyondand including some of the Rocky Mountain

Numerous variabletogether in the regi would become thBowl, including most ern Colorado. Becaubottom had fallen ou wheat market after ended, rather than g

less wheat, farmers plowing up even moreland in the central anplains in an effort teven more crops. Wilittle income from theing farms, they wereto plant more to p

See Dust Bowl, p

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13/48

DUSTDUSTDUST BOWLBOWLBOWLWestern expansion

hy they came and why they stayearbara Preskorncial to The Lamar Ledger

1862, the public landsmestead Act passed androval was granted foric land-grant agriculturalmechanical colleges incentral plains region.

mesteading hastened thetion of free Western

es and reduced the needlavery. By the end of thel War, over 15,000 home-ds dotted the Plains, pro-

ng opportunities to im-erished farmers from the and Midwest. It was

sible to get some supporteducation about living insemiarid region of the

h Plains.

omesteaders were re-ed to pay a $15 fee and

y had to live on and culti-the allotted 160 acres

5 years in order to beded the land. Unfortu-ly, 160 acres was not

rly enough for the home-der to make living wageshe elevated land in the

on of the 98th Meridian

See Dust Bowl, pg. S12

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Western Kansas Since 1957.


14/48

CSU Extension Court

ust Bowl from page 11re rain was sporadic and

ught was cyclical and

etimes critical. Whencame to the dry High

ns region it was apt to

quickly into the arroyos,

ng the land damp but

wet.

any homesteaders were

ed to live in nearby com-

ities to earn a living,

g to the farmland regu-

to satisfy the required

ving up. They had tok the grassland with

e drawn plows and

ed that enough rain

ld arrive at strategic

s to grow crops to ma-

y. Profit was nearly im-

ible on this amount of

. At the turn of the cen-

, the amount of land in

allotment was in-sed to 320, then to 640

s in particularly dry re-

and in tents until they could

get a dugout constructed.

Because timber had to bebrought in, they dug down

into the prairie a certain

number of feet and then built

up cement walls reinforced

by rock found dotting the

prairie in rock outcrops and

canyons.

Lumber brought in from

Granada and Lamar, where

trains brought in much

needed goods, was used for

window casings and roof tim-

bers. Cedar posts, still seen

dotting the landscape today

were gathered along an ele-

vated ridge that starts in

Prowers County and contin-

ues along to Trinidad. Most

roofs were slightly arched to

allow rain to drain and some

were covered with sod tohelp insulate the interior.

Some entrances had a cov-

low the roof. It was common

to have dirt floors, but some

had linoleum. Stoves wereused to burn wood and cow

chips to heat the interiors

and to cook.

The architectural style

was a minimalist no-frills

home-crafted rectangle with

windows and at least one

door constructed by incorpo-

rating materials found on the

spot. On the eastern plains of

Colorado, walls aboveground were made of stone

quarried from rock outcrop-

pings and those found in ar-

royos and creek beds.

Because initial home-

steads were on 160 acre al-

lotments, many could be

seen at once dotting the

prairie with smoke coming

from their chimneys. Be-cause of the smallness of the

allotments by 1930 the pop-

scape, some with na

Eastern cities, such

ton and Minneapolis.Primitive living sta

were the trade-off fo

on a wide open b

prairie where one

exercise independen

enjoy the company o

adventurers. For m

was their only chance

becoming a landowne

is why so many tena

and courageously chstay on in spit of man

lenges. As time wou

they would be battlin

unheard of in eastern

but many chose to

was their home.

To learn more abou

early communities

homesteads, please s

recent Colorado Stateical Funds preservati

chure concerning


15/48

DUSTDUSTDUST BOWLBOWLBOWLSome families stuck it out

on homesteadsRemains of abandoned homesteads dot the Frank Ranch

arbara Preskorn

outheast of Lamar, Davidnk operates a 5,000 acre

e ranch that has gradu-increased in size since

grandfather Adolf Frankesteaded 320 acres in

. He lives in a housetimes expanded from

original dugout that hisdfather built. His moth-

Vela Frank lives aboutmile from David in a

e also many times ex-ded at the original dug-

ite.

A creek separates the two

properties, and it has seen

its share of flash floods. Sev-

eral fully grown tree wind

breaks are now located near

the homes and in nearby

pastures as conservation

projects.

Frank runs about 200

head of cattle annually and

dry-land farms wheat and

sorghum on about 70 acres.

Most of the land has been re-

turned to grassland and is

good for cattle grazing. He

and his mother remain mem-

bers of the Star CommunityChurch, at Prowers CountyRoads 28 at D.

Mr. Frank recalls the,dirty thirties, and the dirtyfifties and sixties! By the sev-enties, the increase in re-stored grasslands and new

farming techniques madethe dirt blows not so exten-sive. He said, In the thir-ties, neighbors would up andleave their land to blow, andour crops got buried in theirdirt. We had to leave thehouse many times and sleepup on the hill to get away

from the dust hangingair.

Like many otherand farming operatiProwers and Baca south of the Arkansathe Frank Ranch hasto its present size gr

through the years. Ohomesteads abandoning drought periodquently were turned the federal land boardresold it. Since then, of neighboring proper

CONTINUED

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719-336-5511Toll Free: 866-336-551

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16/48

TINUED FROM PG. 13

cally offer their acre-for sale.

he Franks started liker families, living in acellar dugout with only

et above ground. Puttinghigher than the groundthe water from coming

The roof was a woodenm covered with soil. Thear was rocked in tight so

mals couldnt fall in orugh.

elas home was built by ae mason who home-ded at the same timelf Frank did. A dip is allremains where the ini-

dugout was and it is lo-

d in front of this stonee, built by adding roomshe family expanded. Ve-husband made the lasttion in 1967. The stoneame from outcroppingsparticular formation lo-

d throughout the ranch.

xtensive stone corralsbarns were built as I re-in the late teens or early

enties. Cowboys whoed cattle to Montanam Texas were on their

back when a blizzardck. Our neighbor allow-hem to put their horses

he barn. Then to pay forand hay and allowing

m to stay in the house, helped quarry rocknd the ranch. They

ed on past the blizzard to

all this work done.

ill in use today, thee walls of the corrals areue in their square block-s. Some cowboy artges were carved into theks, including horses andits a couple were

n signed. A matchinge well house next to thee once was used to keep

and other perishables, where water ran into alow pan before going

every corner of the ranch soI could see about 20 of theoriginal homesteads still inevidence. Some still haverock walls only and some

still have wooden rafters andwindow frames, but most re-main only as foundations, with rocks strewn so theyare barely made out in the windswept soil dotted withsage and grasses. They areleft as they were, untouched,to deteriorate at the whimsof the weather, and as such,they have become part of the

landscape.

One abandoned home we

basement, reminiscent of thedugout style with stairs lead-ing down to the door, with 4rooms above. The roof ispeaked. The stove, a coat,

coveralls and a couple ofchairs remain inside, but theroof is leaking and the flooris creaky.

Many rock homes wereelaborate, considering thetools and materials available.One has double windowsoverlooking a vista with sev-eral connecting rooms builtunder the shade of big cot-

tonwood trees. Several barnsand corrals are located near-by, some built out from or on

walls to get out of thand end up displacinmore rocks from the wfew Indian rock symbfound in these locationcating it had been ucenturies to protect bitter winter storms.

The Chown hocastle is now part Frank Ranch. It is locthe corner of Prowers Roads 16 at J. ThoChown I and his wifein 1931. A beautifully WPA bridge crosscreek that runs by thisstead and stone corrallaid without mortar. elaborate 2-story stonedugout style, with a won the back side of t

The upper floor is through either south facing doors which steps still remaininglower level had sevedows as well as the wdoor. There is an stairway between Stone lintels stretch the tops and bottomsdows and doors. The ris dotted with extendbers and rock stepsrating the top edge.

Mr. Chowns grThomas II published ry of the Chowns odyssey coming fromland to Kansas and Cofollowing several gene As a widower, his ther came to Prowers and married a local

Lila Pike, whose fatheon a farm close by. Hmet Lila many yearswhen he lived aroundta and before he movfamily to Indiana, whfirst wife longed to retu

Together Thomas abuilt this most intereschitectural structureexemplifies the hand

dwellings of the earlythe 19th Century. It ras a salute to the hom

Barbara Preskorn For the Ledger

Barbara Preskorn For the Ledger


17/48

ust ow from page 10e in an effort to make

d payments to banks.tcase farmers who didown the land they farm-

simply gave up anded on.

hen finally it cost more tot or raise farm animals

the farmer could sellm for, crops were de-yed along with many farm

mals to balance thepled economy. To these

le who worked so hard togood farmers, this wast breaking.

ithout oversight and fore-ght, most of the shortses had been or were be-

turned so that no rootsted to hold the soil. Farm-ontinued to plow, leavingfields exposed. Furious

ds could come out of Can-or out of the southwest orheast. At first, these windms just contained a lot of, but by 1934 when manyers began leaving fieldsanted because of lack ofand high heat, dirt turned

dust and frequently, sandms became so dense that

looked like mountaines off in the distance.

n some occasions moreone storm could be

ted coming from differentctions, they could come

snow, turning it brownon some occasions, rain

ld occur during a dirt

m, causing mud to come the sky.

he most famous dirt bliz-

zard was called Black Sun-day, April 14, 1935. It mount-ed several thousand feet inheight and was born out of astalled cold front over Mon-tana and the Dakotas, it ragedall the way into Texas andthen stomped east. One terri-

ble 1934 storm darkened Washington D.C. and NewYork City before rolling hun-dreds of miles out to sea.

Winds accompanying thesestorms could be as high as 60mph and some up to 90 mphand they twisted like a thou-sand tornados, thousands offeet high. They were impossi-ble to outrun. Perfect sunny

calm could be punched firstby frightened animals andbirds scurrying to find cover.These mountains of wind-furyturned into blackness wherepeople and animals suffocatedand could not find their way.Static electricity shorted outignitions and shocked peopleif they touched each other ortried to use a fence as a guide.

When Franklin D. Roose-

velt was elected President ofthe United States in 1933, oneout of four was unemployed.He promised to look after theordinary person hard hit byeconomic depression and cre-ated myriad agencies to helpstabilize the circumstances inthe center part of the country.

Within three years, and with the leadership of Hugh

H. Bennett, a soil conserva-tionist, farmers were helpedto organize into cooperatives

and districts and had to abideby new soil conservation tech-niques. Gradually, the farmerswith help from several federalagencies, including the Civil-ian Conservation Corps(CCC), began to calm the rag-ing rollers.

FDR was not sure theywould be successful in return-ing the land to farming use,but he vowed to make everyattempt to make that possible. The federal government wasleft with numerous aban-doned farms, and they beganreseeding grasses as quicklyas possible.

To ease the plight of those

double struck with both eco-nomic depression and livingon land incapable of produc-tion with air unfit to breath,the government created workprograms in the Dust Bowlregion. In Baca and ProwersCounties in southeast Colo-rado over 200 individual Works Progress Administra-tion (WPA) efforts sponsoredthe building of community

buildings, schools, roads andbridges, agricultural conserva-tion projects as well as domes-tic science and public healthprojects.

Local stone was the prima-ry construction material usedfor buildings and bridges. Lat-er renamed the Works Proj-ect Administration, it was oneof the many FDR New Deal

agencies that contributed toturning around economic de-pression and the creation of

social welfare and programs that stabilizregion for decent habit

The United StatesService was assigned see replanted grassladay called the Natio

manche Grasslands, cover approximately oof Baca County, wherare allowed to graze.

In the end, the famil were able to survivethese traumatic times use new farm implmany of which were inby local creative farmenew farming techniqu

as contouring and crtion. Along with the rcame in the 1940s, thestorms were calmed. years since the 1930years have seen plentifand crop production hextremely good, these former Dust Bowties some of the richescountry agriculturally.

Those families thato stay during cycdrought that occur, eveade to some extenshown remarkable reand determination. Thrifice the security of good crops every yehave adapted their pand traditions to acc weather the dry spell

no longer are under asions about rain followplow.

DeWittDeWittExcavatingExcavating, Inc., Inc.

Phone 719-336-4455Fax 719-336-81507395 U.S. Hwy 50 WLamar, CO 81063

Backhoe & Loader Service Gravel & Fill D

GUARANTYABSTRACTCO.312 SOUTH MAIN STREET

LAMAR, CO 81052

PH 719-336-3261

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18/48

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19/48

ART NARTS ONARTS ON THE PLAINTHE PLAINSTHE PLAINSoutheast Colorado home to active arts communamar is home to South-ern Colorados home-n community band, theansas Valley Wind andussion Ensemble, Inc.the Southeast ColoradoCouncil.

ree formal concerts arered twice yearly in De-ber and April and sever-ther free and paid per-

mances are givenughout the year.

nce 2006, the AVWPEd programs, the Lamares and Dames and many

rs have used the Shore

Arts Centers for a wide vari-ety of downtown concerts,sales, dinners, dances, recep-tions and other events.

In keeping with the visionof making the Shore ArtsCenter a hub of artistic ex-pression, the Southeast Colo-rado Arts Council has madetheir home at the Shore ArtsCenter, setting up an officeas new programs develop.

The Southeast Art Guildcurrently displays art worksin the Shore Arts Centerfront window on a rotational

basis. We want the general

public to know that we havemany talented local artists inthe region and part ourthinking now is to create alarge gallery space that would support exhibitionneeds for existing artistgroups as well as individualartists, said Rose Ann Yates,executive director.

Eads, Colorado home ofArt Gallery and Gift Shop

The location serves as agift shop, offering numerouscraft items, jewelry, hand-made greeting cards, book-

marks and other items. Re-

cently a coffee shoadded and the buildihouses a visitor inforcenter.

The gallery alsotwo members who arauthors, Lucinda PerrCarson and Jeff CampEads.

There is a wide vaquality art for sale. Tlery also touts a ChBoutique which is oping the months of Novand December andoriginally crafted tions and gifts for th

days.

AMACHEAMACHEAMACHE INTERNMENT CAMPINTERNMENT CAMPINTERNMENT CAMP

ranada students work to help keep memory alamp Amache was a Japa- American internmentp located near the town

Granada. Camp Amache

hidden away for years,art because no one want-o remember this chapterhistory. Governor Ralph

welcomed the Japaneseericans to Colorado nearsmall town of Granada. It

the smallest of the in-ment camps. However in

orado, it was the 10thest city during this time.

interment camp was

e only three years.he town of Granada High

School teacher, John Hop-per, led the way to restoringthis relocation camp. Hopperstates, When we started this

project, it was a researchproject. We were trying togather as much informationabout Amache as we could.

At the entrance new sign-age indicates the groups andorganizations currently in-volved in restoration and inthe telling of the Amachestory. There is a new park-ing lot that allows for large vehicles to turn around. Atthis location covered kiosksgive details and show maps.

A handicapped accessible ce-ment walkway windsthrough one block of what was left, deteriorated

through the years.New signs have been

erected along the streetsidentifying the sites of the various buildings. Barrackssold when the camp closedare being purchased and re-located to the site.

Students maintain thecamps cemetery, installingbenches, planting trees andsod. During the war, some ofthe Nisei men living at thecamp wanted to join the war

efforts. Eventually,were allowed to join t Army and fought w442nd and 100th ba

By the end of the wawere the most decoratle units. Many rMedals of Honor. Amonument to fallen scan be found in the cealong with the graveers of children, and da-style building.

To see Camp Ahead west out of toHighway 50. Withithan a mile there markers directing yturn south into the cam

THE PRIME LINE

H. MANNING CO7265 U.S. HWY 50

LAMAR, COLORADO 815021-800-932-0306 FAX (719) 336-2866CELL (719) 688-3130

311N.MainLamar CO

LAMAR

AUTOPARTS


20/48

CANYONCANYONCANYONLANDSLANDSLANDSMountain bike, hike or horseback ridhrough fantastic wonders of nature

arbara Preskorn

irie grasslandosystem

he Comanche Nationalssland consists of vastn agricultural and naturalsland spaces and an ex-ive network of beautiful

yons. The canyons are lo-d in remote areas whereaeological sites abound.

U. S. Forest Servicesees protection of bothfragile soil and the cul- resources in what has

wn to be 450,000 acres di-d into two units.

Many of the sections ofgrassland seen today were

born of the Dust Bowl era

when many farmers and

ranchers simply could not

continue to attempt to raisecrops and livestock against

the odds of persistent

drought, dust rollers and

economic depression. 10,000

foot high dirt and sand

storms, dubbed black bliz-zards, rolled through the re-gion regularly for several

years, turning rich top soil to

gritty dust that can still be

found along a few fencelines.

CONTINUED ON 19

OQUIST FAMILYCHIROPRACTIC PC,

DR. SEAN OQUIST,

CHIROPRACTOR

Sports Injuries andWellness Guidance

109 W Lee Ave, Suite 1Lamar, CO 81052

T l (719)336 6800


21/48

TINUED FROM PG. 18

fter encouraging home-ders for several wet dec- prior to the 1930s tovate 160 acre sections inern Colorado, the U. S.artment of Agriculture in

mid-1930s began pur-ing these sections. Theral government had not

ned about drought cyclesone coincided with a na-

al economic depression,h made it doubly hard

hose living here.

uch work had to bee to stabilize and restore

from past practices. Itto be revegetated foruses that would sustain

ver time. Farmers who

ed on their land also be-using various soil con-

ation techniques.

he U. S. Forest Servicejurisdiction over two

s, the Carrizo Unit ina and Las Animas coun-and the Timpas Unit in

Otero and Las Animas coun-ties. They manage domesticlivestock grazing on theprairie and care for numer-ous Indian archaeologicaland historical homesteadsites that are found primarilyin the canyons.

The land is still in recov-ery. Grazing cattle have re-placed bison, but pronghorn,deer and elk continue tograze the short and mid-tallgrasses throughout the HighPlains.

Grazing is important tokeeping fuel for prairie fireslow.

Lightening can start prairie fires that grow andmove quickly if wind condi-

tions are right. Properlymanaging and maintaining ahealthy and sustainablegrassland and canyon eco-system is important to theplants, wildlife, domestic ani-mals and the culture of thepeople making the regiontheir home.

Canyon gems

Colorful and extensivecanyons exist along themany tributaries of the Cim-maron and Purgatoire (Pur-gatory) Rivers. Conditions

ideal to promote human ac-tivities were created by pro-tective canyon walls with nu-merous well-positionedsprings and seeps wheregroundwater surface. Thisecosystem now provides pro-tective cover and water forthe plentiful wildlife and hun-

dreds of species of birple trees and grassemans have been attrathis network of cany what is estimated tomany as 11,000 years.

Accessing remotareas

Several of these

che Grassland canyomaintained for public tional and educationa The U. S. Forest Serv vises visitors to preptheir treks into these areas.

Safety and natursource management concern. Visitors are to consult with eith

Springfield or the Loffices for current conbefore embarking ont A detailed map of manche National Gris available for pu Weather conditions

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22/48

TINUED FROM PG. 19

ty of water, properpment and understand-of travel management

s need to be reviewed.phones work sometimes

op of mesas, but rarely incanyons.

hotography of rock art is

cult where light condi-s do not create shadows,aving a sketch notebookecommended. Using a filter and a lower f-stopometimes helpful as istographing from a slighte. Do not touch or markrock art in anyway, as itegal.

andalism is occurring at

ncreasing rate as areasome more accessible.most common types ofage are done with paint,tched graffiti and gun-. All cultural resourcesublic lands are protected

aw, please help the U. S.est Service protect the. Signs of recent vandal-should be reported im-iately.

ket Wire Canyon

ong the Purgatoire Rivermiles southwest of Laa in the Picket Wire, points of interest ex- from the Jurassic Peri-50 million years ago to

recent past when home-ders established ranches

cultivated gardens ands. Because the area iswith prehistoric Indian

archaeological sites, accessis limited and no facilities areprovided.

The day trip from theWithers Canyon Trailhead tothe largest number of dino-

saur tracks in the country, isapproximately 11 milesround trip, with hilly terrain.(William J. Withers managedpart of the JJ Ranch divisionof the Prairie Cattle Compa-ny, located between La Juntaand Las Animas along thePurgatoire River from 1882to 1917.) No overnight camp-ing is allowed.

It is important to be in suf-ficient physical condition tomanage extremes in weath-er. Proper equipment, in-cluding first aid supplies, am-ple drinking water and insectrepellant is essential. Bootsand long pants are highlyrecommended, packingshoes for crossing the riverwhich is necessary to see thedinosaur tracks.

Rock art

Prevalent in the miles ofrock walls above the Purga-toire, rock art locations havenot been disclosed for pro-tective reasons. The U. S.Forest Service 4-wheel drivetour offered in spring and fallof each year, does some-times make one stop at animportant rock art site. Res-ervations can be made by

calling 719.384.2181. Moreinformation can be found at www.fs.fed.us and click onto find a forest or grass-land.

Many classic animal andabstract designs are de-picted as well as what appearto be counting or record-keeping grids and meander-ing lines. Rock art in this

area are almost exclusivelypetroglyphs pecked oretched into rock usuallyheavily coated with browniron-colored patina, allowingthe lighter rock color toshow through. When the artis older, new patina hasgrown over the fresh rockcuts making them harder todetect.

Because intent is oftenhard to prove, researcherscan only speculate about pur-poses and meaning of cer-tain glyphs or alignments ofshadows on those glyphs. Alarge 20 foot high rock thatis split apart and surrounded with petroglyphs aroundboth sections is located in anorthern inaccessible por-tion of Picket Wire. It is pos-sible that this rock also con-tains seasonal time-telling

potential. It has been

that a spot of light

small crack moves

the interior surfaces

to rest on the fourth

pecked parallel lines

down on a certain day

year.

Dinosaur tracks

Where 1,300 tracks are presently at the rivers edge, aprus and allosaurus wmost prevalent dinosthe edge of a very larin a tropical savannaronment 150 millionago. As these din walked along the shore, they left foothat eventually becam

ered over and turstone with subsequensures on the sandy mcause of the extensivethe tracks, scientislearn about social bamong the dinosaurstosaurus are also knfrequent the region the Jurassic Period.

Mission Cemeter The trail passes

Hispanic Delores MCemetery that contaieral headstones and mains of a church. Tevidence of garden cring grown so a smamunity was present cl

Rourke Ranch

The U. S. Forest tour also stops at thcentury Rourke Ranc

DAYLIGHTDONUT

109 SOUTH MAIN

LAMAR, CO 81052

(719) 336-7911

301 E. Olive St. Lamar, Colorado

719-336-5382


23/48

ly being refurbished as aination for interested

mbers of the public. It isd on the National Regis-

of Historic Places. For ae, it was part of theys Pinon Canyon Ma-

ver Site until they turnedver to the U. S. Forestice in 1977.

interpretive kiosk de-

bes the life of the Irishgrant Eugene Rourkely members who lived. In 1871 Mr. Rourke

med a 40-acre homesteadd. Through years of hard-, they succeeded in es-shing one of the largesthes in southeast Colo-.

nta Fe Trail

o the west of Pictureyon around the commu-of Timpas, wagon wheelprovide evidence of thea Fe Trail Mountainte (1821-1880) used until

steam locomotivehed Santa Fe. Two other

routes pass through the Co-manche Grassland, the Au-bry Cutoff east of Campo(1850-1860) and the Gra-nada-Ft. Union MilitaryRoute, west and north ofKim (1872-1874). This routecrosses Highway 287/385about 20 miles north ofSpringfield. Where evidenceof these trails can be found,

the spot is marked by lime-stone posts.

Carrizo Canyon

The east fork of the Carri-zo Creek flows through thissmall canyon graced by juni-per and cottonwood. Imagesof mountain sheep, elk and adeer with fantastically-branched antlers, have been

pecked into the canyon walls where trees and vegetationprovide cover. Carrizo Can-yon contains a wonder arrayof grasses fed by springs andseeps, making the short looptrail very picturesque.

Covered picnic tables andrestrooms are available and

it is a good choice for travel-ers who have only a fewhours to enjoy the richnessof the wildlife and Indian cul-ture along Carrizo Creek.

Birds are easily spottedand observed. The allusiveLark Bunting, Coloradosstate bird is known to be inthe region during summermonths. Known for its won-

derful song and distinctivesolid blue black color with asingle white patch alongeach wing it is wonderful to watch in flight. The attrac-tive yellow-breasted westernkingbird, a flycatcher, alsofrequents the area.

Carrizo Canyon is accessi-ble from Highway 287/385,by turning west just north of

Campo onto County Road M,and traveling 22 miles onthis well maintained gravelroad. However, in wet condi-tions any of the unpavedroads can become slipperyand difficult to navigate,making 4-wheel drive pre-ferred if wet weather is pos-

sible. County Road 1north to paved Highwnear Pritchett.

Picture Canyon

This well known caaccessible along theCounty Road M, busouth at 8 miles. A siindicate proceedinCounty Road 18 for a

8 miles to the Pictuyon sign, again turninonto Forest Service533.

On the right justurning, watch the topsecond hill for signtentionally placed rocks. This is the l where train robber Jack Ketchums ga

bushed the posse frosom, New Mexico cthem. Although Blacgot away on this occas was caught later andThis gang also robbeon trains and local raso many people werepy with Black Jack!

HOLLY NURSING CARE CENTERHOLLY NURSING CARE CENTERAn E d en C ommun i t yAn Eden Community3 2 0 N . 8 t h , H o l l y , CO 5 3 7 -6 5 5 5320 N. 8th, Holly, CO 537-6555

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24/48

TINUED FROM PG. 19

ngfield or the La Junta

es for current conditions

re embarking onto trails.

etailed map of the Co-che National Grassland

available for purchase.

ther conditions, avail-

ty of water, proper

pment and understand-of travel management

s need to be reviewed.phones work sometimes

op of mesas, but rarely incanyons.

hotography of rock art iscult where light condi-s do not create shadows,aving a sketch notebookecommended. Using a

filter and a lower f-stopometimes helpful as istographing from a slighte. Do not touch or markrock art in anyway, as itegal.

andalism is occurring atncreasing rate as areas

ome more accessible.most common types ofage are done with paint,tched graffiti and gun-. All cultural resourcesublic lands are protected

aw, please help the U. S.est Service protect the. Signs of recent vandal-should be reported im-iately.

ket Wire Canyon

ong the Purgatoire Rivermiles southwest of La

Junta in the Picket Wirearea, points of interest ex-tend from the Jurassic Peri-od 150 million years ago tothe recent past when home-steaders established ranchesand cultivated gardens and

crops. Because the area isrich with prehistoric Indianarchaeological sites, accessis limited and no facilities areprovided.

The day trip from theWithers Canyon Trailhead tothe largest number of dino-saur tracks in the country, isapproximately 11 miles

round trip, with hilly terrain.(William J. Withers managedpart of the JJ Ranch divisionof the Prairie Cattle Compa-ny, located between La Juntaand Las Animas along thePurgatoire River from 1882to 1917.) No overnight camp-ing is allowed.

It is important to be in suf-ficient physical condition to

manage extremes in weath-er. Proper equipment, in-

cluding first aid supplies, am-ple drinking water and insectrepellant is essential. Bootsand long pants are highlyrecommended, packingshoes for crossing the riverwhich is necessary to see thedinosaur tracks.

Rock art

Prevalent in the miles ofrock walls above the Purga-toire, rock art locations havenot been disclosed for pro-tective reasons. The U. S.Forest Service 4-wheel drivetour offered in spring and fallof each year, does some-times make one stop at animportant rock art site. Res-ervations can be made bycalling 719.384.2181. Moreinformation can be found at www.fs.fed.us and click onto find a forest or grass-land.

Many classic animal andabstract designs are de-picted as well as what appearto be counting or record-keeping grids and meander-

ing lines. Rock art in thisarea are almost exclusivelypetroglyphs pecked oretched into rock usuallyheavily coated with browniron-colored patina, allowingthe lighter rock color toshow through. When the artis older, new patina hasgrown over the fresh rockcuts making them harder to

detect.Because intent is often

hard to prove, rese

can only speculate abo

poses and meaning

tain glyphs or alignmshadows on those gly

large 20 foot high ro

is split apart and surro

with petroglyphs

both sections is locat

northern inaccessibl

tion of Picket Wire. Itsible that this rock al

tains seasonal time

potential. It has been

that a spot of light small crack moves the interior surfaces to rest on the fourth pecked parallel lines down on a certain dayyear.

Dinosaur tracks

Where 1,300 tracks are presently at the rivers edge, aprus and allosaurus wmost prevalent dinosthe edge of a very larin a tropical savannaronment 150 million

ago. As these din walked along the shore, they left foothat eventually becamered over and turstone with subsequensures on the sandy mcause of the extensivethe tracks, scientislearn about social bamong the dinosaurs

tosaurus are also knCONTINUED

54734

ot Found

301 E. Olive St. Lamar, Colorado

719-336-5382


25/48

TINUED FROM PG. 22

uent the region duringurassic Period.

ssion Cemetery

he trail passes by thepanic Delores Mission

metery that contains sev-headstones and the re-

ns of a church. There isence of garden crops be-grown so a small com-ity was present close-by.

urke Ranch

he U. S. Forest Servicealso stops at the 19th

ury Rourke Ranch, cur-ly being refurbished as a

ination for interestedmbers of the public. It isd on the National Regis-

of Historic Places. For ae, it was part of theys Pinon Canyon Ma-

ver Site until they turnedver to the U. S. Forestice in 1977.

A interpretive kiosk de-

scribes the life of the Irish

emigrant Eugene Rourke

family members who lived

here. In 1871 Mr. Rourke

claimed a 40-acre homesteaddeed. Through years of hard-

ship, they succeeded in es-

tablishing one of the largest

ranches in southeast Colo-

rado.

Santa Fe Trail

To the west of Picture

Canyon around the commu-

nity of Timpas, wagon wheelruts provide evidence of theSanta Fe Trail MountainRoute (1821-1880) used untilthe steam locomotivereached Santa Fe. Two otherroutes pass through the Co-manche Grassland, the Au-bry Cutoff east of Campo(1850-1860) and the Gra-nada-Ft. Union MilitaryRoute, west and north ofKim (1872-1874). This routecrosses Highway 287/385

about 20 miles north ofSpringfield. Where evidenceof these trails can be found,the spot is marked by lime-stone posts.

Carrizo Canyon

The east fork of the Carri-zo Creek flows through thissmall canyon graced by juni-

per and cottonwood. Imagesof mountain sheep, elk and adeer with fantastically-branched antlers, have beenpecked into the canyon walls where trees and vegetationprovide cover. Carrizo Can-yon contains a wonder arrayof grasses fed by springs andseeps, making the short looptrail very picturesque.

Covered picnic tables andrestrooms are available andit is a good choice for travel-ers who have only a fewhours to enjoy the richnessof the wildlife and Indian cul-ture along Carrizo Creek.

Birds are easily spotted

and observed. The Lark Bunting, Colstate bird is known tthe region during smonths. Known for iderful song and dissolid blue black colorsingle white patcheach wing it is wond watch in flight. Thetive yellow-breasted wkingbird, a flycatchefrequents the area.

Carrizo Canyon is able from Highway 2by turning west just nCampo onto County Rand traveling 22 mthis well maintainedroad. However, in wetions any of the u

roads can become sand difficult to nmaking 4-wheel drivferred if wet weathersible. County Road 1north to paved Highwnear Pritchett.

CONTINUED

HOLLY NURSING CARE CENTERHOLLY NURSING CARE CENTERAn E d en C ommun i t yAn Eden Community3 2 0 N . 8 t h , H o l l y , CO 5 3 7 -6 5 5 5320 N. 8th, Holly, CO 537-6555

We believe strongly & passionately in living life to the fullestWith Meaningful & enjoyable pursuits Delicious food to eat &


26/48

ease sign the registry inparking area. In less thanile, a trail leads to the

k art area on the east Two iconic figures onDakota Sandstone pic-

rock wall, the warriorthe horse, are good ex-les of where pictographs

petroglyphs are foundther. These depictions

e highlighted with blackment. On close inspec-

faint lines above thee may indicate teepees.

antelope and a pig wereted in red pigment far-down on the same wall.

he figure of a woman,many circles across the

st and belly, is one of thet fascinating of all

ges depicted among thisnsive collection. It is as-ed that most of the rock

here was created during17th or early 18th centu-y Plains Indians.

he U. S. Forest Serviceides occasional tours towall of pictures. Check

the Springfield officeut tour availability by call-719.523.6591. Their buss to Crack Cave, 34 mile

m the Picture Canyonking area on the days ofspring and the fall equi-es, arrive directly at thebefore sunrise.

he cave contains hatchks that some research-find strongly resemble

m, of European origin.hropologists have not

d collaborating evidenceEuropeans actually visit-his region. The marksclearly delineated with as the sun rises one two days each year.

ush riparian habitat andareas perennial springs

wed for a semi-perma-living environment for

genous peoples. Teepee

s, rocks of certain sized in deliberately placedular formations, have

ing.

Many undocumented di-nosaur tracks are reported toexist in the rocks above thecanyon. Abundant plant fos-sils including stems, twigs,cones and the first floweringplants are also found withinthe layers of rock in PictureCanyon.

Vogel Canyon

The eastern most trail in Vogel Canyon winds alongover rocky pinon-coveredterrain with rock walls within viewing distance. The easyalternative trail, directlysouth from the parking area,is level, wide and well-main-tained and leads to the can-

yon overlook. It is handicapaccessible.

Either route on this inter-pretive trail can take the visi-tor to two springs at the baseof a high rock wall on theeast side of the canyon,where an abundance of rockart also can be viewed. Onelarge animal figure is promi-nent in the northern over-

hang and abstract designsand symbols are depicted.Some of the rock art here is

ld d

The remains of the founda-tion of an old stone home-stead house can be explored.Unique rock formationsabound.

During the 1870s a spuroff the Santa Fe Trail was developed by the Barlow andSanderson Mail and StageLine. Sections of the stage-

coach road and ruins of thestation can still be found onthe much longer outer trailloop west of the camp-ground. Access to this loopis noticeable on the road intothe parking area.

Vogel Canyon is accessi-ble by traveling 13 milessouth from La Junta on High- way 109, then west onto

County Road 802 for 1.5miles, south on Forest Serv-ice Road 505A for 1.5 milesto the parking lot. VogelCanyon picnic area has beau-tiful camp sites, separatedfrom each other. Coveredpicnic tables and restroomfacilities are available. Whenreturning to Highway 109 aturn south toward Kim pass-es through more scenic can-

yons for about 15 miles.

Baca County WPA

of Works Progress A

tration (WPA) proje

Baca County with dir

to their locations is av

at many locations, in

the Two Buttes and

field Museums and th

Forest Service off

Springfield.

The opportunity tsaved many familie

having to move on. A

at the Two Buttes M

from one worker from

expresses appreciati

being able to partici

building the Two

gymnasium.

Bridges, public bu

gymnasiums and were built between 19

1940 in primarily Ba

Prowers counties in

rado to help the reg

cover economically

devastating drought

tions and many are

use. Simple and fun

they remain excellen

ples of stone masonry

workers had little or

vious training. Larg

f d h


27/48

FAL NRYFALCONRYFALCONRY N THE PLAINON THE PLAINON THE PLAINEastern prairies ideal for ancient spo

he sport of falconry is

to date back to the 13th

14th centuries in Me-

otamia. It was also popu-

mong the nobility of Me-al Europe. Today, the

t is still has participants

nd the world.

alconers say that getting

r birds back after a hunt

ns they had a successful

whether a game animal

caught or not.

hough trained to return

heir flyers, falcons andks, particularly ones that

trapped, remain wild.

birds are perfectly capa-

of surviving on their own,

it is not uncommon for a

oner to trap a wild bird

re the season begins

and then train it and hunt it

before releasing it.

The raptors, even if tame,

retain their independence,

and the only thing thatbrings the bird back to itsflyer is the promise of ameal.

It takes two to threeweeks of training with an ex-perienced falconer before abird can be flown free. Train-ing happens in three stages.

The first stage is calledmanning, during which thebird learns to associate foodwith handling as it becomestame. The falconer will carry

the bird around and get it ac-customed to being near peo-ple.

Using a tether called a cre-ance, the falconer teachesthe bird to return to the glov-ed fist where it is rewarded with bits of food. The dis-

tance is gradually incuntil the bird return30 40 yards away, is introduced to the

lure is a leather pounected to a long c which food can be tifalconer swings the lucircle, and it is thimage of falconry thpeople should recOnce the bird respothe lure, hunting can b

Hawks and falcons two main species useconry. Eagles requirepaperwork and p which limits their poamong practitioners sport. And owls, whioccasionally are not cive to falconry becaugenerally hunt at nigh

Kathy Tintinger Courtesy photo


28/48

BIRDWAT HERBIRDWATCHERSBIRDWATCHERSPARADI PARADISPARADIS

Climate, habitat make

for abundance of birdsrd watching is the fastestwing outdoor activity inth America. The Nationalvey of Recreation and the

ronment says one in fourericans watch birds andnumber is growing rapid-ch day.

ecause mountain weather

be extremely harsh,ter species of wildlife canound on the Plains andheast Colorado has theyear round bird watchings in the state. It is estimat-

hat there are just over 700ies of birds in the lower

tates of the United Statesevery one of them can be

on the Southeast Colo-Plains.

eography, location, andhabitat are why birds

e to Southeast Colorado.re are many different hab-

that attract species fromnorthern, southern, east-and western regions ofcountry to a very smallin the state of Colorado.ently there are 800 poten-

sites for bird watching in

state of Colorado and 48ose sites are in Southeastrado.

he Colorado State Bird -Lark Bunting - is seen inndance in Southeast Colo-. All species of shores have been seen in Crow-Bent and Kiowa countiesolorado. Bents Old Fort,ted 13 miles West of Las

mas, is the best place inrado to see the BlackOf the 43 species of War-

tion, can be seen at John Mar-tin Reservoir in Bent County, Adobe Creek (Blue Lake), aswell as the Great Plains Reser-voirs in Kiowa County.

The Lesser Prairie Chickenis found in Baca County onthe Comanche NationalGrassland. The land below

Two Buttes Reservoir in BacaCounty is legendary for mi-grant birds. Prowers Countyis also the home of the annualSnow Goose Festival in Feb-ruary. In late winter everyyear thousands of these geesebegin their migration northand stop at the many lakesand ponds of Southeast Colo-rado to rest and feed. Youmay have the opportunity to

see Burrowing Owls wherev-er there is a prairie dog town.

Southeast Colorado isblessed with many State Wild-life Areas, which provide ex-cellent recreational areas forwildlife observation and pho-tography. The five countyareas in Southeast Coloradoinclude Bent, Baca, Crowley,Kiowa, and Prowers.

Bent Countys wildlife areasinclude John Martin Reser- voir, Las Animas State Fish-ing Unit, Purgatoire RiverState Wildlife Area, SetchfieldState Wildlife Area, andAdobe Creek Reservoir.

The wildlife areas in BacaCounty include Two ButtesReservoir, Turks Pond, andBurchfield State Wildlife Area.

Crowley Countys wildlifeareas include Olney SpringsReservoir, Ordway Reservoir,

Queens State Wildlife Areasand the Great Plains Reser-voirs. Prowers County wildlifeareas include the ArkansasRiver State Wildlife Areas andHolly State Wildlife Area,Deadman State Wildlife Area,the Mike Higbee State Wild-life Area, Red Dog State Wild-

life Area, Thurston Reservoir, Willow Creek Park and theWillow Creek Nature Trail.

Baca a birders haven

Over 275 species of birdscan be spotted in Baca Coun-ty during different seasons.Baca County has quietly be-come a favorite site for travel-ing ornithologists and Audu-bon members alike. Theupper Two Buttes Lake areaand Two Buttes Canyon along with the canyon area southand west of Campo are a fewof the favorite sites.

Some of the more popularspecies include lesser prairiechicken, Canadian goose,ducks, scaled quail, morningdove. Prairie falcon, long-bill-ed curlew, loggerhead shrike,white-crowned sparrow, king-

bird, lark sparrow, hornedlark, rough-legged hawk,northern shrike, roadrunner,black-billed magpie, lark bunt-ing, species of hawks, mead-owlark, killdeers and eagles.

Every spring in Baca Coun-ty, the lesser prairie chickensgather at the boomingground for their mating ritu-al. A viewing blind offers an

opportunity for pictures ofthese beautiful birds.

Snow Goose Festival not

held each February.

The festival, centProwers County, offerise and sunset toursparticipants can viewgeese and other typeterfowl including Scranes. Participants couraged to bring alo

oculars, a camera, birdfication book, sunsunglasses, layered ca hat, and rain gear. pants can also take advof the Willow Creek Walk.

In addition to thethere are presentationorganizations such as ttor Center in Pueblobrings live display oOther guest speakers representatives from thrado Division of Wildlied States Department culture and other expe

The annual SnowFestival is sponsored Lamar Chamber ofmerce, the local DivWildlife, Kiowa Countyber of Commerce,

Chamber of commerProwers County Dment, Inc.

Kiowa, Bent host vabirds

The Great Plains Reand Abode Reservoir inCounty afford prime onities for bird and viewing. Similar opporcan be found at John

Reservoir, Blue LakAdobe Creek in Bent C

In Prowers Count


29/48

BOATING AND FISHINGBOATING AND FISHINGBOATING AND FISHINGGUIDEGUIDEGUIDEollowing is a list of topng spots in Southeastrado:

dobe Creek

lso known as Blue Lake)ation: From Las Animas,north on Bent County

d 10 for 15 miles or fromwell go south on Kiowanty Road 19 for 12 miles west on Kiowa County

d A 2 miles then west onwa County Road A to the

erty.

operty: 5,147 acres pub-ccess land, 5,000 acres

ace area

otor Boats: Permitted,ic boat ramp available

acilities: Boat Ramp, Pub-estrooms

amping: Permitted, butfacilities. No developedpgrounds or hookupsable

ccess: Open all year

pecies: Blue Catfish,nnel Catfish, Clack Crap-Saugeye, Walleye, Wip-

White Bass.ost Abundant Species:nnel Catfish, Blue Cat-

otes: Huge members ofize Wipers and Saugeye

e stocked in 2001.

hn Martin

ncluding lake hasty)Lo-on: From Lamar, go westoximately 20 miles on

Highway 50. Turn Southe town of Hasty and fol-the road approximately

two miles south to the JohnMartin Dam.

Property: 22,325 acrespublic access land, 13,000acres surface area.

Motor Boats: Permitted on John Martin, not permitted

on Lake Hasty. Public boatramps available near thedam. Free boat ramp avail-able on Lane 19 near thewest end of the lake, but notaccessible unless water lev-els are relatively high.

Facilities: Boat ramps,public restrooms, RV hook-ups, RV dump stations,showers, laundry, play-ground, covered buildings,many developed and semi-primitive campsites. Handi-capped access to fishing inLake Hasty. Hiking trails.Public telephones, marina,bait shops, conveniencestores and fuel availablenearby.

Jacksons Pond Location:34 mile south of Eads, FromHighway 287, go south one

block on Slater Street whichturns into Prairie Place thengo 12 mile and turn let on Yucca Drive for about 14mile to the pond. Property: 8acre pond included in the300 acre Kiowa Creek Natu-ral Area. Motor Boats: Noboats permitted. Facilities:Picnic shelter, tables andpublic restroom. Camping:

No over-night camping per-mitted. Access: Open all yearexcept for limited closures

prior to some events such asthe Youth Fishing Day inMay. Species: Featuringlargemouth bass, bluegill,channel catfish, and season-ally (spring and fall) stockedrainbow trout. Some small-mouth bass and yellowperch have been stocked toimprove fishing opportuni-ties.

Most Abundant Species:Channel catfish, bluegill andtrout (seasonally)Access:Lake Hasty open all year.John Martin closed from No-vember 1 to end of waterfowlseason, usually mid Marchto April 1. Species: Channel

Catfish, Wipers, Saugeye, White Bass, Blue Catfish,Flathead Catfish, Walleye,Trout.

Most Abundant species:Saugeye, Channel Catfish,Wipers.

Nee Gronda

Location: From Lamar, gonorth on U.S. Highway 287approximately 21 or from

Eads, go south on U.S. High- way 287 approximately toKiowa County Road C then 1mile west to property.

Property: 4,426 acres pub-lic access (includes entireQueens, Nee Gronda, NeeNoshe area,) 3,400 acres sur-face area of water when fullbut due to sale of waterrights and transfers of water

outside of the Arkansas Riv-er basin, only Neegrondacurrently has enough water

to maintain a fishery.

Motor Boats: PerSmall, primitive freeboat ramp available side of lake. Privatelyboat ramp available oside of lake.

Facilities: Boat ramrestroom on public landrinking water or devcampgrounds on lands.

Camping: Permitteon public land, buamenities and no wate

Access: Closed fro1 to end of waterfowl (usually mid March t1).

Species: Channel Saugeye, White Basers, Carp, Largemouth

Most Abundant S Wipers, Channel Saugeye, White Bass.

Nee Noshe (about 2Location: From Lamnorth on U.S. Highwapproximately 24 mKiowa County Boat R

cess road, then one qmiles east to publiramp.

Unfortunately, delevels and poor waterhave taken their tollonce proud fishery. Fpling revealed no fishery management wilat Nee Noshe until this refilled. The area s

vides camping an

CONTINUED

CatcallsFull Service SalonCuts, Color, Nails,Tanning, Waxing,Facials

08 S. MainLamar, CO 81052

Trella WollertOwner/Operator


30/48

TINUED FROM PG. 27

life viewing especiallyshore-birds visiting thee prairie playa.

roperty: 4,426 acres pub-access (in entire 4-lakeplex), 3,696 acres sur-area.

otor Boats: Permitted. public boat ramps avail-

ascilities: Boat ramp,ic restrooms

ccess: Public access pro-ted from Nov. 1 to end ofrfowl season.

pecies: Channel Catfish,p, Wipers, Saugeye, Wall-

White Bass, Largeth Bass, Crappie, Bluesh.

ost Abundant Species:te Bass, Wiper, Saugeye

otes: Huge numbers ofize Saugeye and Wipers

e stocked in 2004. Histor-y yields large wipers.

ueens Resevoirs (0Upper and Lower Queens

currently dry. Theses will be restocked when

ditions allow. The areaprovides camping and

d wildlife viewing.ocation: From Lamar, gooximately 21 milesh on U.S. Highway 287

Kiowa County road C,3.5 miles east to Upper

ens. Follow the accesssouth about two miles

ower Queens.hurston Reservoirocation: From Lamar, go

h 9 miles on Colorado

Highway 196 to ProwersCounty Road TT, then 1 milewest to County Road 7, then14 mile north to the reser-

voir.Property: 173 acres public

access, 200 acres surfacearea.

Motor Boats: Permittedexcept during waterfowl sea-son. Primitive free boat

ramp.Facilities: Boat ramp and

Restrooms.Access: Open all year, but

closed to motor boats in wa-terfowl season.

Species: Crappie, ChannelCatfish, Largemouth Bass,Bluegill, Wipers, possiblysome Tiger Muskie.

Notes: This is the closest

lake to Lamar, roads aregood and access is easy.Nice day trip and some de-cent shore access.

Turks PondLocation: From Lamar, go

south on U.S. Highway 287approximately 36 miles toColorado Highway 116, theneast 14 miles to Baca CountyRoad 39, then south approxi-mately 5 miles to property.

Property: 200 acres ofland, 55 acres surgace area.

Motor Boats: Prohibited.Only craft propelled by hand, wind, or electric motor per-mitted.

Facilities: None.Camping: Prohibited. Access: Prohibited from

Nov. 1 to close of waterfowlseason.

Species: Black Crappie,

Saugeye, Largemouth Bass, Wipers, Channel Catfish,Trout, Bullhead,.

Most Abundant Species:Channel Catfish, Saugeye,Bullhead.

Two ButtesLocation: From Lamar, go

south on U.S. Highway 287for 29 miles to Baca CountyRoad B.5, then 3 miles east

to reservoir.Property: 6,793 acres pub-

lic access.Motor Boats: Permitted.

Free boat rampFacilities: Boat ramps,

restrooms, rifle range.Camping: Permitted, but

no developed campgroundsand no hookups. Drinking water may be available, but

bring your own to be safe.Bring your own toilet paperand pack out your own trash.

Access: Open all year.Species: Black Bullheads,

Saugeye, Wipers, Large-mouth Bass, Crappie, BlueGill, Channel Catfish.

Most Abundant Species:Gamefish populations ap-proximately equally distrib-uted.

Notes: Wildlife managersstruggle to keep fish popula-tions thriving because of lowand sporadic water condi-tions. Recently, largemouthbass have done well, but wa-ter levels are often low andthe lake may becomechoked with vegetation. TheBlack Hole, just below thedam is a nice camping spot

and, although small, is also

stocked with fish. Explace to fish if condititoo windy over the daButtes is also probamost geologically intepicturesque of all SoColorado Lakes. Wilabundant, so the trip joyable, even if the doesnt go well.

Lake Henry

Location: From Ogo three miles east oway 196 to County Rthen one mile north terty.

Property: 1,350 1,120 acres surface a

Discover Southeast Colorado 2011

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