Experiences, Museums
If you find yourself in Aguilar, be sure to stop by the Apishapa Valley Heritage Center, open each summer season until early September. The center is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and also by appointment by calling 719-680-1393. Learn the history of the area, enjoy photos of mining and people, [...] Tags: aguilar, apishapa, history, museum
Read more
About, Communities, History
Walsenburg, Huerfano Country’s county seat, sits in the heart of Spanish Peaks Country. With I-25, Highway 160, and Highway 10 meeting in Walsenburg, this quaint, Southern Colorado gem is a popular stop for travelers who delight in its small-town charm and history, natural wonders, and artistic inspiration of the surrounding area. Visitors enjoy Walsenburg’s antique [...] Tags: county seat, Highway of Legends, La Plaza de los Leones, museum, Robert Ford, walsenburg
Read more
Half Day Itineraries, Itineraries
The small towns of La Veta and Cuchara are sure to surprise you. Not only are they enveloped by gorgeous scenery, they also offer historic museums, art galleries, and hikes filled with unique geological features. However, if you have only a few hours, the following activities are a must. Activity #1 - Francisco Fort Museum [...] Tags: cuchara, hiking, la veta, museum, trails
Read more
Half Day Itineraries, Itineraries
In just a few hours, visitors to Walsenburg can get a great sense of its history and unique culture with a visit to the Walsenburg Mining Museum and the Museum of Friends. These two cultural institutions are chock-full of historic and artistic memorabilia sure to enthrall their visitors. Activity #1 - Walsenburg Mining Museum Learn [...] Tags: gallery, history, museum, walsenburg
Read more
Full Day Itineraries, Itineraries
History buffs can dig deep into Spanish Peaks Country's rich history at any one of our history museums and historic sites. The following are some of the region's most popular places to learn about Southern Colorado's heritage. Activity #1 – Heurfano Heritage Center The Huerfano Heritage Center is home to the Huerfano County Historical Society, [...] Tags: heritage, historic district, history, mining, museum
Read more
Art, Music, Theater, Experiences
La Veta may be small and laid-back, but it’s also the art hub of the Spanish Peaks Region. Galleries featuring local, national, and international artists dot La Veta’s quaint Main Street. Art lovers are encouraged to spend time in La Veta and check out the following galleries. #1 - Shalawalla Gallery, Gift Shop, and School [...] Tags: art, galleries, museum
Read more
Experiences, Museums
Walsenburg was called the “City Built on Coal” during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and nowhere else in Spanish Peaks County will give you as much opportunity to learn why than the Walsenburg Mining Museum. Follow the battles between the coal miners and mine operators, examine artifacts associated with the mining industry, and [...] Tags: history, mining, mother jones, museum, walsenburg
Read more
Art, Music, Theater, Experiences, Museums
The Museum of Friends (MoF’s) home is the historic “Roof and Dick” building in the heart of downtown Walsenburg. MoF is a Contemporary Art Museum incorporated in 2007 by artists Brendt Berger and Maria Cocchiarelli. The museum’s name stems from the fact that the initial 500-piece collection of paintings, photographs, and sculptures were gifts from [...] Tags: art, berger, culture, museum, pacific art
Read more
Full Day Itineraries, Itineraries
Spend the whole day exploring Walsenburg. From history and art to a refreshing hike filled with breathtaking scenery, this full-day itinerary has it all… and with minimal driving! Activity #1 - Walsenburg Mining Museum Learn about Walsenburg’s rich mining history at the Walsenburg Mining Museum. Explore artifacts from days gone by and dioramas depicting mining [...] Tags: art, boating, hiking, lake, museum, state park, swimming, theaters, walsenburg
Read more
Experiences, Featured Posts on Homepage, Museums
Colonel John M. Francisco founded a trading post at the foot of the Spanish Peaks in Colorado Territory in 1862, around which the small town of La Veta grew. Legend tells us that upon reaching the verdant Upper Cuchara Valley in present-day Huerfano County, he declared, “This is paradise enough for me,” and settled down. [...] Tags: bob ford, francisco fort, historic buildings, history, museum, projectile points
Read more