Board of Directors:
Nancy Lave President
Larry Patrick Vice-President
Patty Corsentino Treasurer
Kim Lessar Secretary
Bill Downey
Darla Haught
Tina Matthews-Price
Dorothy Mahonovich
Mike Hurley
Martie Henderson
| UPCOMING EVENTS:
Take a ride on the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. Leaves daily from LaVeta to Alamosa. Check out concert venues on LaVeta Pass. Call 1-877-726-7245.
The Walsenburg Mining Museum Huerfano County Courthouse on W. 5th Street. Closed for the season
Lathrop State Park, 2 miles west of Walsenburg on Hwy 160 is open for boating, camping, swimming, fishing, picnics, nature hikes, biking and more. For more information, call 719-738-2376.
For other upcoming events in the months ahead, click on the "Events" button above or call the Huerfano County Chamber of Commerce at 719-738-1065.
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Huerfano County was settled in the mid 1800's by the Spanish who migrated from the San Luis Valley. The first settlers to Walsenburg were the Antencio and Leones families who built a settlement along the Curcharas River. It was known then as La Plaza De Los Leones.
Black diamonds (coal) is what created the growth of the area. Fred Walsen opened the first coal mine and there were 50 coal mines operating in Huerfano County until the mid 1950's. The last coal mine closed in 1972. Coal was a mainstay for jobs. Coal camps were plentiful and coal mine owners paid in script instead of dollars, which meant workers and families had to buy from the coal mine owned company stores.
Some of the bloodiest history of coal mining occurred in Walsenburg and the surrounding area as coal miners went on strike. The Ludlow Massacre occurred in 1914 south of Walsenburg when National Guard troops fired upon striking miners and their families killing numbers of women and children. The event made national headlines and changes in the operation of coal companies began to change.
La Plaza De Los Leones was changed to Walsenburg in honor of Fred Walsen.
LaVeta, Colorado is located 17 miles west of Walsenburg on Hwy 12. The Highway of Legends begins in LaVeta and takes you through beautiful high mountain roads to Cuchara and other small communities and ends in Trinidad. The road is a photographers dream come true.
Gardner is located northwest of Walsenburg and is a ranching community with a rich history.
Lathrop State Park, the first one in Colorado, is located 3 miles west of Walsenburg on Hwy 160. Fishing, camping, hiking, swimming, boating and birdwatching are but a few of the area activities.
Nearly 3 million vehicles pass through Huerfano County each year. The beautiful Spanish Peaks and other mountain ranges make it a breathtaking journey through southern Colorado. |
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