Delve into the captivating history of Granada, Colorado, a town that uniquely existed as two distinct entities along the historic Santa Fe Trail in southeastern Colorado. This fascinating journey explores the evolution of Granada, Colorado, from a bustling frontier outpost to a site of profound historical significance, notably the Amache Internment Camp.
Originally, Granada, Colorado, was a vibrant hub that played a crucial role in westward expansion, serving as a vital stop for traders, Native American tribes, and pioneers. Its story is one of transformation, resilience, and an indelible mark on the landscape of the American West.
The Genesis of Old Granada: A Frontier Epicenter
The first incarnation of Granada, known today as “Old Granada,” was situated south of the Arkansas River, approximately three miles east of the modern-day town. This location, about 12 miles west of the Kansas-Colorado border, lay within the eastern bounds of the “Big Timbers” area. This heavily wooded expanse, stretching some 40 miles along the Arkansas River between present-day Granada and Lamar, Colorado, was characterized by its towering cottonwood trees and served as a crucial resource and gathering point.
Native American Heartland and Early Explorers
The Big Timbers region was a vital territory for numerous Native American tribes, including the Comanche, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, and Apache, who frequented the Arkansas River Valley. These nomadic hunters relied heavily on bison and often wintered in the Big Timbers floodplain near what would become Granada. Descriptions from the era paint a vivid picture of a lively confluence of tribal camps, with drums beating nightly and trading houses bustling with activity as Native Americans exchanged buffalo robes.
The area also saw the passage of renowned explorers. Zebulon Pike documented the dense cottonwood forest along the Arkansas River in 1806. Later, Stephen Long’s expedition in 1820, and John C. Fremont in 1844, 1845, and 1853, along with John Albert (1845) and John Gunnison (1854), all traversed this significant valley.
Trading Posts and the Santa Fe Trail
In the early days of the Santa Fe Trail, the Big Timbers hosted important trading posts. William Bent operated one in 1844, followed by William Tharp in 1846. Other notable fur traders such as Alexander Barclay, Blackfeet John Smith, and Lewis Garrard also worked in the area. Old Granada’s site was a favored campground for travelers along the trail, offering respite and resources.
Cattle Country and Railroad Boom
Between 1864 and 1895, the region transformed into “cattle country,” witnessing the passage of over 10 million Texas Longhorns driven by more than 40,000 cowboys. The Southern Overland Mail and Express Company stage line also operated through the Arkansas River Valley from 1866 until the advent of railroads. Colonel R. I. Dodge of Fort Dodge, Kansas, even reported seeing some 500,000 buffalo in the area in 1871, a testament to the region’s rich wildlife before the large-scale hunting that followed.
The anticipation of the railroad’s arrival spurred development. In 1872, T.B. Nolan opened a general store, and Chick, Brown & Co. began platting a town. In December 1872, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad reached the Colorado border, extending to the town by May 1873. For two pivotal years, Granada served as an end-of-track town, diverting much of the Santa Fe Trail traffic onto the Granada-Fort Union Wagon Road toward New Mexico.
A Bustling, Lawless Frontier Town
Within two weeks of the railroad’s arrival, Old Granada boasted three restaurants and a hotel. A post office, named after Granada Creek, was established in August 1873. The town rapidly grew to approximately 1,500 residents, supporting a public school, two hotels, three grocery stores, a drug store, four saloons, three dance halls, a gambling hall, and several restaurants. Despite its size and importance as the second-largest town in Bent County, Old Granada was never incorporated, lacked a legislative body or formal law enforcement, and had no newspapers or churches—a reflection of its raw frontier character.
This era attracted a colorful cast of Old West characters who passed through or resided in Granada, including Mysterious Dave Mather, Doc Holiday, Clay Allison, and Calamity Jane, who lived there between 1874 and 1876. The railroad’s presence also drew droves of buffalo hunters, leading to the rapid depletion of buffalo from the area by 1880.
Decline and Train Robberies
Granada’s glory days as an end-of-track town ended abruptly in December 1875 when the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad terminus moved west to La Junta, Colorado. The town quickly declined, with many settlers and businessmen relocating. However, it continued to support a post office, railroad station, school, hotel, store, and saloons for another decade.
The area also saw its share of drama, including two back-to-back train robberies in 1882. In September, a westbound passenger train was boarded by armed, masked men who stole about $2,000 from the express car and an unknown amount from passengers. Just weeks later in October, another train robbery occurred, with masked men making off with $5,500 from the express car, though they missed a safe containing $10,000.
The Relocation: Birth of New Granada
By 1886, Old Granada found itself surrounded by lands owned by the Chick, Brown, and Company and various ranches. A significant development was Frederick H. Harvey’s purchase of 100,000 acres of Colorado grazing lands for his XY Ranch, which supplied his famous Harvey House restaurants. When local businessmen sought to expand Granada and were refused land by Harvey, they made the extraordinary decision to relocate the entire town three miles to the west. The Bent County Town Company purchased the new site in April 1886, moving many buildings and effectively erasing the physical presence of Old Granada.
The Emergence of New Granada: A Resilient Community
With the relocation, the post office moved to the new site, but the railroad station remained at Old Granada, now renamed Adana by the Santa Fe Railroad. A dispute arose when railroad officials demanded 51% of all unsold lots and lot sales money in the new town to move the station. The town leaders refused, leading the Santa Fe Railroad to establish a station at Lamar, Colorado, instead, impacting Granada’s growth.
Building a New Foundation
Despite these challenges, New Granada began to establish itself. The First National Bank of Granada opened as the area’s first bank, and Mim’s House became its inaugural hotel in 1886. A crucial early step was the establishment of a school, with an existing schoolhouse from Old Granada being moved and expanded, and C.O. Barton serving as the first teacher. The “new” town was incorporated in July 1887, and the Santa Fe Railroad eventually installed a new train station in September.
For a few years, New Granada maintained its frontier character, complete with several saloons and frequent instances of gunplay. In 1889, Prowers County was formed from Bent County, and although Granada vied for the county seat, it was ultimately awarded to Lamar.
Challenges and Development
The town faced significant setbacks, including two major fires in 1893 that destroyed most of the business district, largely comprised of buildings moved from Old Granada. Many affected business owners chose not to rebuild, further hindering the town’s progress. However, Granada persevered. The Colorado Telephone Company constructed a telephone exchange in March 1903, with 50 phones operating by June. The town’s first high school was also built that year. Another fire in the Exchange Saloon again devastated the business district in September 1910.
By 1917, two railroads, the Santa Fe to the south and the Arkansas Valley Railroad to the north, served the Arkansas River Valley. Further infrastructure development came in 1940 when U.S. Highway 50 was paved through the area.
Amache: A Chapter of Internment During WWII
Perhaps the most somber and significant chapter in Granada’s history is its connection to the Amache Internment Camp. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the subsequent entry of the United States into World War II, the U.S. government initiated the relocation of Japanese Americans, particularly those from the West Coast, to inland internment camps. The Amache Camp, one of ten such facilities nationwide, opened on August 27, 1942, southwest of Granada. It was named in honor of Amache Ochinee Prowers, the Cheyenne wife of John W. Prowers, for whom the county was named.
By September 30, 1942, the center was at its peak, housing 7,318 individuals. This 60-acre camp was designed to be self-supporting, featuring its own post office, fire station, police force, schools, churches, a movie theater, and a 150-bed hospital. Residents lived in military-style barracks with basic furnishings and ate communally in cafeterias. An adjacent 10,000-acre farm provided livestock and produce for the camp. Upon arrival, detainees often described the camp’s setting as “barren,” “stark,” and “desolate,” a stark contrast to their previous lives in California. While the physical environment was harsh, some also noted a sense of relief from the direct harassment they had experienced at home.
The detainment order expired in January 1945, and most detainees departed the facility by October. Amache officially closed on January 27, 1946. Its buildings were subsequently auctioned off, and the agricultural lands reverted to private farming and ranching. Today, the Amache National Historic Site serves as a powerful reminder of this difficult period in American history, preserving the stories and experiences of those who were incarcerated there.
Conclusion: The Enduring Spirit of Granada
The story of Granada, Colorado, is a rich tapestry woven with threads of frontier spirit, economic ambition, dramatic events, and profound human experiences. From its origins as a vital trading hub in the Big Timbers to its dual town identity, and ultimately, its role in a challenging period of American history with the Amache Internment Camp, Granada has endured. Today, it stands as a testament to the resilient communities that shaped the American West and serves as a crucial site for understanding the broader narrative of national and local history, continuing to draw visitors interested in its complex and significant past.
