Area History

With all the makings of a Western Movie, you have seen the images and heard the stories many times. From Mountain Men, Fur Trappers, Explorers, Bank and Train Robbers, Cowboys, Indians, Calvary, Sheriffs, Cattle Drives, Wagons, Trains to Wild Horses and Coal Mines.

All of this and more is what makes the "Circle of Legends" a part of the History of the West!

Pioneers beside their Conestoga Wagon Train
sometime between 1880 and 1890.
Location and Photographer unknown

Historical Tales from the Region
Historical stories about the Trinidad region dating back to the 1850's. Read about everything from lynching, murders and land disputes to how area landmarks got their names.

101 Trinidad Family Stories
Stories that have been selected and written by individual family members from the Trinidad region and have been collected by Allen J. Bachoroski.

Trinidad History Museum Exhibits
Walk through the Trinidad History Museum with narratives and photos of selected exhibits.

Morley Church
Traveling south on I-25 on the way from Trinidad to Raton, there are the ruins of an old mine camp called Morley. Prominent between those ruins is the remnant of an old Catholic Church.

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Wah-Be-Git, Ute Native American man.
Photo by Rose & Hopkins about 1899

Las Animas County Founded February 9th, 1866

Huerfano County Founded November 01, 1861

Trace your Family History Online

Here are some online resources that may help you in your search

Ancestry.com

Family Search.org LDS Library

Ellis Island Online

Family History.com

Family History Centers

GenSer.com

Plus you might also search on the web for additional information.

Some Local Landmarks

The Historic Columbia Hotel

The House on the Bridge
A few years back I had the pleasure of getting a call from the man who built the House on the Bridge. I was new to the area and didn't know the history of this unique old structure. He shared with me that basicly the bridge was abandoned and it made the perfect foundation for his new home. It has become one of the most photographed and painted old building in this Highway of Legends area.

The Famous Local Landmark "Simpson's Rest" and our lighted Trinidad sign. On father's day only "Dad" is lit (smile)

Trinidad's Famous Brick Streets!

The St Aloysius Catholic Church better known as the Morley Church. Located at the old Morley Mine site south of Trinidad. This can be seen from Interstate 25 around mile marker 3 or 4, just north of the New Mexico Border.

The Historic old adobe Baca House in downtown Trinidad. You can tour this beautiful old structure as well as the Bloom Mansion next door.

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Come and Let us Share our History with you in the "Circle of Legends"