National Register Listing

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Passenger Depot

a.k.a. Lamar Depot; Colorado Welcome Center; Lamar Chamber of Commerce; 5PW.324

109 E. Beech St., Lamar, CO
Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Transportation

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
  A brief timeline of the history of Santa Fe Railway

  • 1859: The Atchison and Topeka Railroad Company is founded in Kansas, with the goal of connecting the towns of Atchison and Topeka.

  • 1863: The Atchison and Topeka Railroad reaches Santa Fe, New Mexico, completing its initial transcontinental route.

  • 1880: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company is formed through a merger with the Southern Kansas Railway Company.

  • 1883: The Santa Fe Railway completes its second transcontinental line, reaching Los Angeles, California. This expansion enables the railway to connect the Midwest and Southwest to the Pacific Coast.

  • 1893: The California Limited, a luxury passenger train, begins service on the Santa Fe Railway, offering a high standard of travel for affluent passengers.

  • 1901: The Grand Canyon Railway, a subsidiary of the Santa Fe Railway, is established to provide transportation to the Grand Canyon National Park.

  • 1926: The Santa Fe Railway introduces the Super Chief, a luxurious all-Pullman sleeping car train that becomes known as the "Train of the Stars" due to its popularity among Hollywood celebrities.

  • 1934: The Santa Fe Railway launches the Chief, another premier passenger train, offering a more affordable option than the Super Chief but still maintaining a high level of service.

  • 1948: The Santa Fe Railway introduces the El Capitan, a streamliner passenger train that becomes famous for its distinctive "Warbonnet" red and silver paint scheme.

  • 1967: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway changes its official name to the Santa Fe Railway.

  • 1995: The Santa Fe Railway merges with the Burlington Northern Railroad, forming the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (BNSF). This merger creates one of the largest railroad systems in the United States.

  • 1996: The Santa Fe Railway is officially absorbed into the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), marking the end of the Santa Fe Railway as an independent entity.

Today, the Santa Fe Railway's legacy lives on through the continued operation of many of its routes by BNSF, as well as its historical significance in the development of the American West and its iconic role in passenger train travel.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

architecture transportation
Mesa Verde National Park, located in southwest Colorado, is home to some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the world. These ancient structures were built by the Ancestral Puebloans over 700 years ago and provide a glimpse into the lives of these ancient people.
Colorado random facts
Prowers County is located in southeastern Colorado and was established on April 11, 1889. The county was named after John W. Prowers, a pioneer and prominent cattle rancher in the region.

The area that is now Prowers County was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute. European settlers began to arrive in the mid-19th century, drawn by the fertile land and agricultural opportunities.

Agriculture has played a significant role in the history of Prowers County. The first settlers in the area primarily engaged in farming and ranching, raising cattle, sheep, and crops such as wheat and corn. Prowers County became known as a major agricultural center, with an abundance of farmland and a well-established irrigation system.

In addition to agriculture, Prowers County also saw growth and development in other sectors. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century stimulated economic activity and helped connect the county to larger markets. The county seat, Lamar, became an important transportation crossroads.

Today, Prowers County continues to be an agricultural hub, with farming and ranching remaining important industries. The county also boasts a strong sense of community and is home to a diverse population. With its rich history and natural beauty, Prowers County offers a unique glimpse into the past and a promising future.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Prowers County, Colorado.

  • 1860: Prospectors and settlers arrive in the area, drawn by gold discoveries in nearby areas.
  • 1862: Bent County is formed, including present-day Prowers County, as part of the Colorado Territory.
  • 1870: The town of Lamar is established as a trading post and stagecoach stop.
  • 1880: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway reaches Lamar, boosting economic development.
  • 1889: Prowers County is officially established, with Lamar as its county seat.
  • 1900: Agriculture becomes the main industry in the county, with farming and ranching dominating the economy.
  • 1930s: The Dust Bowl and Great Depression severely impact the county's agricultural industry.
  • 1950s: The construction of the John Martin Reservoir provides water resources for irrigation, benefiting local farmers.
  • 1980s: The county experiences an economic downturn due to declining agricultural prices.
  • 2000s: Efforts are made to diversify the economy, focusing on tourism, renewable energy, and healthcare services.