Road Trip - Trinidad, CO

Fishers Peak looming above Trinidad

The Pueblo Riverwalk is a very nice development, much like what a large city would accomplish.
It covers 32 acres in downtown Pueblo and follows the original river path. The river was relocated in the 1920's due to disastrous flooding. In its history, 4 nations have claimed the Arkansas River at this location; Mexico, Spain, France and the Republic of Texas.
Boats are available and include paddle boats for paddle-it-your-selfers, gondolas for romantic tours and an excursion boat to travel with your group. The Farmers Market meets there weekly and the calendar is full of events throughout the year. The morning we visited, the trail was full with people getting their morning walk in before work.

Pueblo Riverwalk

Trinidad Colorado was once a major center for trade along the Santa Fe trail, and the trail ran right through downtown. The community was founded in 1862 after coal was discovered in the area. The Achison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad reached the town in 1878 and Bat Masterson briefly served as the town's Marshall in 1882.

Santa Fe Trail Map

The Santa Fe Trail was an important route of commerce between the US and Mexico between 1821 and 1880. The Trails' mountain pass taken to bypass the dangerous Plains Indians, passed through Trinidad which began as a Santa Fe Trail campsite along the Purgatoire River. The museum also documents labor actions and the Ludlow Massacre which occurred just up I-25 from Trinidad.
We toured the Baca House, the Bloom Museum and the Santa Fe Trail Museum, all managed by History Colorado.

Baca Houe

A Santa Fe Trail entrepeneur, John Hough completed building his house in 1870. 3 years later, he sold the house to Felipe Baca for 22,000 pounds of wool. The Bacas were sheep hearders and the trade was a good one, as Mr. Hough was able to transport the wool back east and (we assume) sell it at a profit. The Territorial-style residence combines Greek Revival architecture with adobe construction. Inside the house is quiet and well insulated. The widows walk was added by the Houghs.  The roof is tin, which was readily available locally. The garden out back supplied the summer kitchen and fed the family.

Santa Fe Trail Museum

The Santa Fe museum was originally a barn with 2 additions. The rooms actually stored Santa Fe Trail history for many years before becoming a museum. Many Trinidad buildings were built in the same way with adobe, but very few survive today.

Bloom Museum

The Bloom Museum was built in 1882 in a French Second Empire style, common after the Civil War. And yes, it looks like the Munsters live here. It is built with locally made bricks, the house has a central tower, an added wrap-around porch with finished wood carvings and iron cresting. The blue spruce tree on the east side was planted in 1910. A recent earthquake damaged the building. The furniture has been removed and repairs are underway. Tours are still being held.
The 2 house tour was well led with lots of information about the families, the houses and the community. I highly recommend it.
Pueblo is 2 hours south of Denver on I-25. To reach the Riverwalk, exit at 98B, turn right then go left at S. Main Street and park.
To find Trinidad, head south from Denver on I-25 for 3 hours, 15 minutes.  Exit at 13A right into downtown, turn left on highway 160. Follow east to the museum and houses..