La Junta - Eastern Colorado

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The name "La Junta" comes from a Spanish term for junction or meeting place, and, since the early 1800s, the town has been living up to its name.

Located along the Santa Fe Trail, a trade route stretching from Missouri to New Mexico, La Junta was a major trade hub as early as 1833, when Bent's Fort was built in the area. The fort, run by brothers Charles and William Bent and business partner Ceran St. Vrain, served trappers, Mexicans and Native Americans and was the largest stop along the trail.

The fort lost some of its clout when the railroad came through in the 1880s, establishing the formal town of La Junta and making the area a major hub of industry Eventually, highways became the preferred mode of transportation in the area, which shifted the town's focus to ranching, agriculture and, most of all, tourism.

Nowadays, visitors frequent the area to stop at the reconstructed Bent's Fort and catch a glimpse of the remnants of the Santa Fe Trail, which still contains nearly 200 miles of wagon ruts.

The Koshare Indian Museum keeps the area's Native American legacy alive, featuring one of the largest collections of Native American arts and artifacts and regular performances by the Koshare Indian Dancers.

The area's natural beauty has also helped the city remain a major junction. Comanche National Grasslands boasts more than 400,000 acres of range land with nearly 300 species of birds. And John Martin Reservoir State Park offers fishing, boating, and swimming.

La Junta is near: Fowler and Lamar

La Junta Featured Advertisers

Visit La Junta
Stay & play awhile in the "Smile Hi" city. Golf 330 days a year. US 50, the only Hwy spaning from coast to coast. Events: Early Settler's Day, Kids Rodeo, Winter Ceremonial Dancing at Koshare Indian museum.

 

All La Junta Advertisers

Koshare Indian Museum & Kiva Trading Post
In La Junta near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. This Native American Museum has a premiere collection of Native American Indian art, artifacts, trading post, tours, and Koshare dance performances.

 

MidTown Motel
Clean, comfortable & courteous hospitality in La Junta. Home-like rooms with printed sheets & recliners. Free WI-FI Internet. Listed in Frommers as a "Best Moderately Priced Accommodation." Pets allowed.

 

Otero Museum
The museum features a transportation and historic building collections, stop in La Junta and experience pioneer life. See a 1867 Old Overland Stage & the Sciumbato Grocery, on the National Historic Register.

 

Visit La Junta
Stay & play awhile in the "Smile Hi" city. Golf 330 days a year. US 50, the only Hwy spaning from coast to coast. Events: Early Settler's Day, Kids Rodeo, Winter Ceremonial Dancing at Koshare Indian museum.

 

For More Information Contact:

La Junta Maps

National Parks & Monuments
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Comanche National Grassland

Scenic Byway Maps
Santa Fe Trail Scenic Byway

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