It is the first such facility in the state. The Center offers visitors as well as locals a wealth of information on the many historic, recreational and educational opportunities available in Colorado. The always friendly volunteer staff is eager to assist people in locating the information they seek.

Located on the hillside south of Mt. San Rafael Hospital in Trinidad. Construction began in 1934 on the site where an early Trinidad physician who was caught in a vicious storm in 1908 and was led by a flickering light to a statue of the Virgin Mary which had mysteriously appeared on the hillside. Many residents saw this as a divine sight. The Ave Maria Shrine is now a sanctuary of peace for all. Bus tours, pilgrimages and individual group tours are available.

Located off Highway 12 along the Scenic Highway of Legends seven miles west of Trinidad. Cokedale is a wonderful example of an intact coal camp, one of the few that remained standing after mining operations were abandoned. The numbered company houses and old company buildings were once familiar sights throughout Southern Colorado coal camps. To the North of the highway, mountains of black slack dumps can be seen which were created from the accumulations of tailings sent from the mines. To the South of the highway visitors will find curving rows of coke oven ruins which were used to cook coal into coke, a substance used in the production of steel.

Located north of City Hall on Animas Street in Trinidad sits the last coal driven steam engine in service for the C & S Railroad. Manufactured in 1906 for the Colorado and Southern Railroad for service in Trinidad, the engine remained in use until its retirement in 1963. Restoration on the train was completed in 2001.

This distinctive mountain which dominates the skyline of Trinidad is a salt-capped mesa of volcanic origin. It was named in the mid 1800’s for cavalry officer Captain Waldemar Fischer. Proof of the community's fondness for it’s most recognizable landmark can be found in the countless times its image has been captured by local artists and used in the logos and names of local businesses.

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Fifteen historical markers are located in the Corazon de Trinidad (Heart of Trinidad) beginning at the northeast corner of West Main and Beech Streets sand continuing down Main Street to the southwest corner of East Main and Walnut Streets and down Commercial Street to the west side of the Commercial Street Bridge. The markers describe various historic buildings, local landmarks and important events which helped shape the Trinidad of today.

A walking tour guide to the Corazon de Trinidad (Heart of Trinidad) National Historic District is available for purchase through the Carnegie Public Library at 202 N. Animas Street and at selected museums and shops within the Corazon District. The booklet is divided into tree self-guided walks beginning at the intersection of Main and Commercial Streets. The guide describes dates and facts about 42 buildings in the Historic District including Holy Trinity Church, the West (Fox) Theater, Columbian Hotel, Trinidad Water Works and Schneider Brewery and some of the interesting stories behind them. Proceeds from the book’s sale benefit the Trinidad Historical Society.

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Located at 930 San Pedro in Trinidad, overlooking one route of the Santa Fe Trail. The park which was dedicated in 1910 boasts a new playground as well as a historic bandstand which was restored in 2001. The bandstand is available to rent for special events. The park also contains a cast bronze statue of Kit Carson which has been described as one of the finest equestrian statues West of the Mississippi.

Located at the Colorado Welcome Center. Memorial dedicated to those men and women from Las Animas and Huerfano Counties who served our country in the Korean War. On the front are the names of those who served in Korea between 1950 — 1953, who were killed in action. On the back are additional names of veterans of this war. Information regarding inscriptions can be obtained at the Veteran’s Services office in the Las Animas County Courthouse.

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Located West of 1-25, Ludlow exit. A monument raised by the United Mine Workers of America honoring the eleven children, two women, five coal miners and a passerby whose lives were claimed when a one-day battle pitting striking coal miners against mine owners and the Colorado State Militia on April 12, 1914 ended in the disaster, known as the Ludlow Massacre. Grounds and memorial are maintained by the United Mine Workers of America. Services and a barbecue are held annually on the last Sunday in June

Located south of Trinidad off Exit 6 on 1-25. A former mining camp in operation from 1907 until 1956. The remains of the adobe walls of the St. Aloysius Church along with building foundations form the once-thriving mining camp still can be seen today.

One of Colorado’s Scenic and Historical Byways. Covering more than 80 miles, the drive takes approximately two hours to complete. The route winds along Highway 12 in a circular loop beginning in Trinidad near 1-25 and ending in Walsenburg where it connects back to 1-25. Along the way some of Southern Colorado’s most beautiful landscapes, numerous recreational spots, historical structures and geological formations can be seen. Points of interest include: Trinidad Lake State Park, Cokedale, Stonewall, Monument Lake, North Lake, Cuchara Pass, Cuchare and La Veta. A stop at the Colorado Welcome Center before leaving Trinidad will provide maps and brochures about the various sites along the route. http://www.highwayoflegends.org 

The bluff overlooking the town form the north which displays the Trinidad sign can be reached by way of a road leading from the western end of North Avenue. Named after George S. Simpson, scout and frontiersman, who evaded Indians by hiding in the caves of the Rest. Before he died in 1885, he requested it to be his final resting place. Visitors may access the top by car to view his grave marker and a spectacular view of the city. Gate is open 8:00 AM until sundown daily.

A community project that was undertaken by the Trinidad-Las Animas County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Coal Miner’s Memorial Committee. The project was erected by the Southern Colorado Coal Miner’s Memorial and Scholarship Committee and dedicated on May 24, 1997. Located in historic downtown Trinidad on West Main Street, the life-size memorial, cast in bronze by local artist Ben Johnson, stands in recognition of the contribution of coal miners active, past, retired and deceased.

Approximately 30 miles west of Trinidad the historic resort town of Stonewall sits at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, towered over by the great Dakota sandstone formation from which it gets it’s name. Guest ranches, cabins, hunting trip base camp accommodations and campgrounds, all be found in the area.

Photo of Stonewall