Trinidad, Colorado, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the American West, a vibrant city nestled in the picturesque Purgatoire River Valley. This historic gem in Las Animas County is not merely a dot on the map but a rich tapestry woven from indigenous legacy, Spanish exploration, and frontier ambition, offering a compelling narrative of survival, growth, and cultural fusion. From ancient encampments to a pivotal role on the Santa Fe Trail and a booming coal industry, the story of Trinidad, Colorado, is deeply etched into the fabric of American history.
Ancient Roots and Early European Encounters
For at least 10,000 years, the Purgatoire River valley, with its cottonwood-lined banks and abundant game, has been a vital home and hunting ground for indigenous peoples. Beneath the imposing 14,000-foot Mount Culebra of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the majestic Spanish Peaks, tribes such as the Ute in the mountains and the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, and Comanche on the plains thrived, utilizing the valley’s rich resources.
The first documented European presence came in 1706 with Spanish soldier and explorer Juan de Ulibarri, who journeyed north, skirted the Spanish Peaks, and claimed the region for Spain, noting French activity on the plains. Subsequent Spanish missions, including Governor Antonio de Valverde’s expedition in 1719 and Pedro de Villasur’s ill-fated journey in 1720, further explored the area, often facing perilous encounters with native tribes like the Pawnee.
Despite stringent Spanish prohibitions against trade with the United States, French Canadian voyageurs Pierre Antoine and Paul Mallet led a party from Illinois through what would become Trinidad in 1739 to Santa Fe. By the early 1800s, American explorers such as Zebulon Pike, Stephen Long, and Jacob Fowler also traversed the region, foreshadowing a shift in regional power.
A Pivotal Point on the Santa Fe Trail
In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain, bringing southern Colorado, south of the Arkansas River, under Mexican control. This pivotal event legalized trade between Mexico and the U.S., paving the way for the legendary Santa Fe Trail. That same year, Missouri entrepreneur William Becknell made the inaugural trip on the trail, establishing a vital commercial link between Missouri and Santa Fe. The trail, about 800 miles long, eventually branched into the Mountain Branch and the Cimarron Cutoff.
A major driver of early trail commerce was the fur trade. In 1832, Charles and William Bent, along with Ceran St. Vrain, established Bent’s Fort in present-day Otero County, approximately 88 miles northeast of Trinidad. This fort quickly became the most important post of the southwestern fur trade. The Santa Fe Trail’s Mountain Branch paralleled and then forded the Purgatoire River in this area before ascending the formidable Raton Pass, making Trinidad a favored campground for countless travelers. Thousands of freight wagons, pulled by oxen, rested here, making repairs and recuperating amidst ample water, shaded grounds, and excellent forage for livestock. The main trail carved a path along what are now Trinidad’s Commercial and West Main Streets.
Hispanic settlement in the Purgatoire River Valley commenced in the 1840s as people migrated northward from New Mexico. However, hostile Ute Indians often displaced these early settlers. During the Mexican-American War in August 1846, Colonel Stephen W. Kearny’s U.S. Army of the West, a massive force of 1,600 soldiers, 1,500 supply wagons, 15,000 oxen, and 4,000 mules, camped along the Purgatoire River before embarking on a difficult crossing of Raton Pass. Their journey was arduous, with many wagons destroyed and supplies abandoned.
The region’s growing importance led Congress to authorize mail transport from Independence, Missouri, to Santa Fe via Bent’s Old Fort and Trinidad in 1847. The first mail arrived in the Trinidad area in 1849. The establishment of Fort Wise (later Fort Lyon) in 1860 and the subsequent shift of the Postal Service mail route to the Mountain Branch solidified Trinidad’s role, bringing a Barlow & Sanderson stage line to the area.
The Birth and Growth of a Frontier Town
By the time the Colorado Gold Rush began, New Mexico traders were regularly transporting freight caravans through Trinidad to supply the fledgling city of Denver. Among these traders was Felipe Baca, a prosperous farmer and rancher from New Mexico. Impressed by the valley’s agricultural potential, Baca moved to the Purgatoire Valley in 1860, claiming a choice piece of bottomland that would eventually form the heart of Trinidad. The following spring, Baca’s workers erected a dwelling and planted crops, leading to a bountiful harvest. He soon brought his wife, Maria Dolores Gonzales Baca, and children for a permanent move.
Concurrently, in March 1861, prospector Albert W. Archibald built a log house on the north side of the river. He, along with Dr. John Whitlock, surveyed a townsite where Main and Commercial Streets were laid out along the historic Santa Fe Trail ruts. When it came time to name the new settlement, Gabriel Gutierrez, owner of the first business (a saloon), proposed “Trinidad,” a name that was readily accepted. Juan Ignacio Alires established the second business, a store offering groceries, fabric, and whiskey.
Felipe Baca quickly became one of Trinidad’s most prominent pioneer citizens. Besides farming and ranching, he opened a general store and was instrumental in constructing the 400-acre Baca Ditch for irrigation. His civic involvement led him to serve in the Colorado Territorial Legislature in 1870.
In July 1861, Barlow, Sanderson & Company acquired the Denver and Santa Fe Stage Line, subsequently organizing the Southern Overland Mail and Express. This weekly stage line connected Kansas City, Missouri, to Santa Fe via the Mountain Branch, using the ruins of Bent’s Fort as a station and serving both Trinidad and Pueblo. From Trinidad, coaches traveled over Raton Pass to Fort Union, Las Vegas, and Santa Fe. This company became the largest and most important stage operation in Colorado, with a full coach load including a driver, messenger, and ten passengers, each allowed 110 pounds of luggage, for a fare of $200. The presence of seven general merchandise stores within three blocks underscored the critical importance of the Santa Fe Trail trade to the nascent town of Trinidad.
Civil War Echoes and Industrial Transformation
During the early stages of the Civil War, Confederate guerrillas were active in the vicinity of Trinidad. In 1862, the Colorado Volunteers marched past Trinidad, crossing Raton Pass into New Mexico, where they decisively destroyed Confederate aspirations in the Battle of Glorieta Pass. This period also saw further growth for Trinidad, as Felipe Baca’s successful harvest inspired about 12 families from Mora, New Mexico, to arrive in 20 ox-drawn wagons, establishing homesteads and placitas.
A significant turning point came in 1864 with the onset of coal mining in southern Colorado. The earliest mines at Starkville and Engleville, near Trinidad, prompted a call for skilled labor from Europe. This led to a remarkable influx of diverse immigrants, including Hispanic, Greek, Italian, Polish, Irish, Lebanese, Slavic, and Northern European communities, all contributing to the region’s industrial boom and cultural richness. This period of rapid industrialization fundamentally reshaped Trinidad’s demographics and economy.
“Uncle Dick” Wooton and Raton Pass
In 1864, the legendary mountain man, trapper, and trader Richens “Uncle Dick” Wooton arrived, building his home atop Raton Pass. A former trader, Indian fighter, scout for John C. Fremont, and friend to Kit Carson, Wooton embarked on an ambitious project: constructing a toll road over Raton Pass to New Mexico. By 1865, he had leased land from Lucien Maxwell, owner of the vast Maxwell Land Grant, to build the 27-mile road. Employing Ute Indians, he meticulously cut hillsides, blasted rocks, and built bridges, dramatically improving what was previously a treacherous stretch of the Santa Fe Trail.
Wooton established a tollgate in front of his home, charging $1.50 for a wagon and 25 cents for a horse rider, though Indians were always permitted free passage. His home also served as a Barlow and Sanderson stagecoach stop, providing meals and respite for weary travelers. While Wooton’s toll road significantly eased passage, it remained a formidable challenge, with road banks often littered with the broken remnants of wagons that failed to complete the journey, some caravans taking up to seven days to cross.
Education and Community Building
The establishment of a formal educational system marked another step in Trinidad’s development. In July 1865, Albert W. Archibald founded the first school with approximately 13 students, offering instruction in both English and Spanish, reflecting the community’s diverse linguistic heritage. That same year, famed mountain man George Simpson, having settled into family life, moved to Trinidad. He contributed significantly to the town’s civic life, holding various positions, driving stagecoaches over Raton Pass, writing for the local newspaper, serving on the school board, and working as a book dealer. These early efforts laid the groundwork for Trinidad’s enduring community spirit and cultural identity.
Conclusion
The story of Trinidad, Colorado, is a profound journey through time, illustrating the dynamic forces that shaped the American West. From its deep indigenous roots and Spanish colonial past to its pivotal role on the Santa Fe Trail and its booming coal industry, Trinidad has continually evolved while preserving its unique character. The blend of cultures—Native American, Hispanic, European—and the resilience of its pioneers, such as Felipe Baca and “Uncle Dick” Wooton, created a vibrant and enduring community. Today, Trinidad, Colorado, stands as a living museum, inviting visitors to explore the rich layers of history that shaped this extraordinary frontier outpost, a true gem of the American West.
