Trinidad
Colorado
Town
Origins
Trinidad
was founded in 1842 by Mexican Traders interested in taking
advantage of business opportunities along the Santa Fe Trail
and an emerging cattle boom. Felipe Baca and a number of
other entrepreneurs opened the town for business.
It
was a rough and tumble town during these turbulent years.
But the likes of Bat Masterson and other fearless lawmen,
and the encroachment of civilization brought relative peace
and the arts to Trinidad.
Commercial Street in Trinidad- Fisher's
Peak in distance
In
1862, coal was discovered, and the cry for a labor force
went out to Europe where trained mining labor was available.
This background formed the basis for our present melting
pot culture mix of Hispanic, Italian, Greek, Polish, Irish,
Lebanese, Slavic, and northern European families.
Mining,
cattle, agriculture and rail transport still make up a large
part of Trinidad's industrial base while great quality of
life and cost of living benefits are attracting more and
more businesses all the time. Add to that beautiful blue
skies, clean water, a mild southwestern climate, friendly
people and you have the making of a great place to live.
Sitting
astride the historic Santa Fe Trail and Interstate 25 highway
that links Canada to Mexico, Trinidad has become a small
regional center for education and the arts, and a launch
destination for fishing, hunting, skiing, and good-old Colorado
relaxation and recreation.
Location
Trinidad,
Colorado, in the southern part of the state, is on the
Santa Fe Trail, and is the smallest of the four cities which
separate the Colorado Rockies and Great Plains.
To
the West is the beautiful Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ)
Mountain Range. Stretching along the north are the majestic
Huajastollas, also known as the Spanish Peaks. Fisher's
Peak, the unusual volcanic landmark with its stair step
top, lies to the south, at an altitude of 9,600 feet.
Fisher's Peak
The
northwest promontory, known as Simpson's Rest, was named
after George Simpson, scout frontiersman who evaded Indians
by hiding in the caves of the Rest. Simpson requested his
last place be at the top of the Rest.
When
he died in 1885, he was buried at the top, where his grave
marker now stands. Visitors may drive to the top to view
the marker and a spectacular view of the city. El Rio de
Las Animas Perdidas en Purgatory, better known as the Purgatoire
River, flows through the Center of Trinidad.
Population
Trinidad
has long been a regional center for central Colorado, and
has been typified by a steady population base without sudden
large population gains or losses. In its mining heydays
population was about 16,000. Trinidad's current population
is approximately 10,000.
Commercial Street
Employment
Trinidad
offers both a pool of skilled workers as well as solid job
and business opportunities.
Trinidad
and Las Animas County have an abundant pool of experienced
workers, many with backgrounds in mining, maintenance, electrical
systems and other professional skills.
Trinidad
State Junior College annually produces graduates with skills
in liberal arts and trade vocations ranging from building
trades and computer maintenance to graphic design and cosmetology.
Trinidad's
quality of life and low cost of living continue to attract
new businesses and telecommuters. With the ability to be
located in Trinidad but do national and international business,
these companies are adding to the growing economic base
of the community.
Opportunities
for employment or for starting a business are far reaching.
Children's Museum and one of Trinidad's
first Firehouses
Trinidad
Tour
Check
out some interesting places in Trinidad
The
Chappel House
Built
in 1883 by engineer Don Chappel, the creator of Trinidad's
first automated water delivery system.
Millionaires
Row
Block of Main Street between Chestnut and Walnut in Trinidad
gets pricey moniker.
Intersection
of Main and Maple
Home of the Carlisle Building and the former site of the
United States Hotel tha once housed Ulysses S. Grant.
The
Colorado Building
Built in 1906 it was the home of Jamieson's Department
Store for most of this century--a store with many modern
features
The
Plested Building
Lovelorn stonemason carves face in the
sandstone facade of Main Street Building.
The
First National Bank Building
Fire bell corner gives way to building with faces carved
in sandstone in 1890's Trinidad.
The
Casimiro Barela Building
Built by longtime state congressman, Casimiro Barela,
in the late 1800's, this was the home of Trinidad's first
daily newspaper.
The
Chronicle News Building
Home of Trinidad's oldest newspaper and
deft experiments in mass communication.
Trinidad
Waterworks
The second oldest standing building in Trinidad has been
home to the town's water operations since 1879.
Holy
Trinity Church
Jesuits replace old church in 1885 following Father P.J.
Munnecom's departure from Trinidad.
The
McCormick Building
Home of 1920 World Series play by play action that spilled
out into the intersection, stopping traffic at Main and
Commercial.
The
Opera House
The Jaffa brothers built one of the first auditoriums
in Trinidad in 1883 and it quickly became one of the centers
of social life in Trinidad.
The
Columbian Hotel
At the Corner of Main and Commercial, the Columbian Hotel
has served as the centerpiece of Trinidad since 1879.
The
Palace Building
One of the only buildings in Trinidad that was built as
a bar and has been one ever since--except for the days
of prohibition when it was turned into a candy shop.
The
Las Animas Building
This building sits on the site of the old Exchange Saloon,
the site where the first killing of an on duty Trinidad
Sheriff took place.
The
West Block
Pranksters once caused a trolley crash into the corner
of this historic building which once housed the Trinidad's
Post Office and Aultman Photographic Studios.
The
West Theater
Built in 1908, the West Theather which now houses the
Fox Movie Theater, is the Colorado's last theater with
a double tiered balcony.
Trinidad
City Hall
Built in 1909 after disputes about location, this fortress
of a building has housed Trinidad City operations since
being built.
Carnegie
Library
If you wanted to go to the library in 1882 in Trinidad,
you had to visit a room in the John Block on Main Street.
It wasn't until 1904 that Trinidad had a permanent Library
building.
If
you have photos of any of these buildings that you would
like to share with us please do get in touch with us at
719-941-9919 or info@trinidadco.com