Explore Beauty and History
From scenic vistas and wildlife watching to museums and unique cultural events, we offer activities and places that authentically represent the rich and diverse history of the area. Experience sites and activities that tell the stories of our county and the San Luis Valley.
With so many beautiful places to experience in Conejos County you could opt to see the highlights in a half a day from the comfort of your own vehicle.
Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic & Historic Byway
Los Caminos Antiguos, the Ancient Roads, traces the footsteps of Native Americans, 16th Century Spanish explorers, settlers and miners, as it travels from Alamosa, through Fort Garland, San Luis and Antonito to the border of New Mexico. Along the way are diverse landscapes of snow-capped mountains, lakes, wetlands, vast ranchland, and the tallest sand dunes on the continent at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Resources
State Wildlife Areas:
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad:
Looking for a meeting of the old and the new? Take the all-day Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad trip on on America’s longest and highest narrow gauge steam railroad. Not only will you get to ride in a living museum, eat a hot homestyle lunch in a hidden valley, and meet people from all over the world, you’ll also see the hidden treasures of the mountains that lie far off the highways and byways.
Spend the entire day riding out on the open car with the wind blowing through your hair and the views warming your heart. Or stay inside the cars and keep your eyes open for families of elk. Watch the views unfold before you and be reminded of all that nature has to offer. Each year people from all over the globe come to ride our piece of living history. The train travels a breathtaking route of 64 miles between Antonito, CO and Chama, NM with a midday stop for lunch in beautiful Osier meadow.
Resources
Conejos County is filled with rich history. There is no better way of experiencing that history than by visiting one of our museums.
Conejos County Agricultural Museum:
One of Colorado’s finest collections of farm equipment. Open weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM year round. Admission is free.
Jack Dempsey Museum:
Jack Dempsey was a world re-known boxer. Coming from a poor mining and timber family, he began fighting in mining camps for money in 1914 under the alias “Kid Blackie”. Often fighting bare-fisted for a dollar a fight, Jack would say he felt very lucky earning two dollars a day. On July 4, 1919, Jack Dempsey took the heavyweight championship title from Jess Willard. Jack became the first fighter to draw a million-dollar gate. He later adopted the name of the “Manassa Mauler”, making Manassa world famous as his birthplace. Dempsey is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern boxing and has gone down in history as one of the toughest men to ever enter the ring.
The house that Jack was born in was moved from its original site to the Jack Dempsey Park at 412 Main St. in Manassa. A fine bronze of the boxer is also located in the park. Open 9-5 from Memorial Day through September. Admission is free.
Sanford History Museum:
In 1995, Mary June Miller, Madge Perko, and Gary Bailey spearheaded the effort to start the Sanford Museum in the building, and the rest is history. All of the artifacts, periodicals, and books in the museum’s collection have been donated by community members.
The building that houses the Sanford Museum is a treasure in and of itself. It was built as the Sanford Town Hall in 1936 as part of the WPA effort to provide jobs during the Great Depression. Over the years it has served as a temporary church, a jail, a band room for the school, fire department, a library, and even a lookout tower where volunteer observers for the US Ground Observer Corps watched the skies for possible enemy aircraft after World War II.
Resources
Our area was settled by the church and much of what you see today would not have been possible without their contributions. Come and experience our history through our sacred places.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church:
Located in Conejos, this is Colorado’s Oldest Parish and first church. Established in 1857, for many years this beautiful mission church had no floor except the earth. It did have a bell, crudely cast from material gathered from the faithful throughout the whole region, including women’s donated jewelry. The church is still in use today and is open to the public. 719-376-5985
The Mission Churches of Conejos County:
St. Augustine’s – Antonito
San Juan Nepomuceno – Ortiz
San Rafael Presbyterian Church- Mogote
San Rafael y San Pedro- San Rafael
Sagrada Familia – Lobatos
San Antonio du Padua – San Antonio
St. Joseph – Capulin
St. Anthony – Los Sauces
St. Therese Child Jesus – Manassa
Resources
Pike’s Stockade:
Located off Colorado Hwy 136, 4 miles east of the town of Sanford. Based on Zebulon Pike’s accomplishments in the realm of exploration, the re-built stockade is a symbol of the expansive nature of the United States during that era. 2006 marks the Bicentennial of Pike’s exploration into early Colorado and his eventual capture by Spanish soldiers from Santa Fe. It is a National Historic Landmark and is open Memorial Day – Early October. 719-379-3512
Resources
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad:
Looking for a meeting of the old and the new? Take the all-day Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad trip on on America’s longest and highest narrow gauge steam railroad. Not only will you get to ride in a living museum, eat a hot homestyle lunch in a hidden valley, and meet people from all over the world, you’ll also see the hidden treasures of the mountains that lie far off the highways and byways.
Spend the entire day riding out on the open car with the wind blowing through your hair and the views warming your heart. Or stay inside the cars and keep your eyes open for families of elk. Watch the views unfold before you and be reminded of all that nature has to offer. Each year people from all over the globe come to ride our piece of living history. The train travels a breathtaking route of 64 miles between Antonito, CO and Chama, NM with a midday stop for lunch in beautiful Osier meadow.
Resources
With so many beautiful places to experience in Conejos County you could opt to see the highlights in a half a day from the comfort of your own vehicle.
Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic & Historic Byway
Los Caminos Antiguos, the Ancient Roads, traces the footsteps of Native Americans, 16th Century Spanish explorers, settlers and miners, as it travels from Alamosa, through Fort Garland, San Luis and Antonito to the border of New Mexico. Along the way are diverse landscapes of snow-capped mountains, lakes, wetlands, vast ranchland, and the tallest sand dunes on the continent at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Resources
State Wildlife Areas:
Conejos County is filled with rich history. There is no better way of experiencing that history than by visiting one of our museums.
Conejos County Agricultural Museum:
One of Colorado’s finest collections of farm equipment. Open weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM year round. Admission is free.
Jack Dempsey Museum:
Jack Dempsey was a world re-known boxer. Coming from a poor mining and timber family, he began fighting in mining camps for money in 1914 under the alias “Kid Blackie”. Often fighting bare-fisted for a dollar a fight, Jack would say he felt very lucky earning two dollars a day. On July 4, 1919, Jack Dempsey took the heavyweight championship title from Jess Willard. Jack became the first fighter to draw a million-dollar gate. He later adopted the name of the “Manassa Mauler”, making Manassa world famous as his birthplace. Dempsey is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern boxing and has gone down in history as one of the toughest men to ever enter the ring.
The house that Jack was born in was moved from its original site to the Jack Dempsey Park at 412 Main St. in Manassa. A fine bronze of the boxer is also located in the park. Open 9-5 from Memorial Day through September. Admission is free.
Sanford History Museum:
In 1995, Mary June Miller, Madge Perko, and Gary Bailey spearheaded the effort to start the Sanford Museum in the building, and the rest is history. All of the artifacts, periodicals, and books in the museum’s collection have been donated by community members.
The building that houses the Sanford Museum is a treasure in and of itself. It was built as the Sanford Town Hall in 1936 as part of the WPA effort to provide jobs during the Great Depression. Over the years it has served as a temporary church, a jail, a band room for the school, fire department, a library, and even a lookout tower where volunteer observers for the US Ground Observer Corps watched the skies for possible enemy aircraft after World War II.
Resources
Our area was settled by the church and much of what you see today would not have been possible without their contributions. Come and experience our history through our sacred places.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church:
Located in Conejos, this is Colorado’s Oldest Parish and first church. Established in 1857, for many years this beautiful mission church had no floor except the earth. It did have a bell, crudely cast from material gathered from the faithful throughout the whole region, including women’s donated jewelry. The church is still in use today and is open to the public. 719-376-5985
The Mission Churches of Conejos County:
St. Augustine’s – Antonito
San Juan Nepomuceno – Ortiz
San Rafael Presbyterian Church- Mogote
San Rafael y San Pedro- San Rafael
Sagrada Familia – Lobatos
San Antonio du Padua – San Antonio
St. Joseph – Capulin
St. Anthony – Los Sauces
St. Therese Child Jesus – Manassa
Resources
Pike’s Stockade:
Located off Colorado Hwy 136, 4 miles east of the town of Sanford. Based on Zebulon Pike’s accomplishments in the realm of exploration, the re-built stockade is a symbol of the expansive nature of the United States during that era. 2006 marks the Bicentennial of Pike’s exploration into early Colorado and his eventual capture by Spanish soldiers from Santa Fe. It is a National Historic Landmark and is open Memorial Day – Early October. 719-379-3512
