Have you ever wondered what to do for the holidays? If you live in the Midwest, or Colorado to be more precise, I have a suggestion… Visit the southeast corner of Colorado and all the wonderful tourist sites around Lamar, Colorado.
Lamar, Colorado is the hometown of some famous people. Some of them you might recognize, like Scott Elarton, currently with the Kansas City Royals. Writer Gary Penley put Lamar on the map with his book “Rivers of Wind” and NT Betz penned “The Fleagle Gang: Betrayed by a Fingerprint,” a collaborative account of newspaper reporters about a notorious crime wave that includes robbery in 1928 from the First National Bank that changed the face of Lamar forever. And me, Jan Verhoeff, a merchandiser and writer who spends her time promoting new businesses and tourism businesses in the southeast corner of Colorado.
Lamar, Colorado is a stopover for famous people. Zebulon Pike chose Willow Creek Valley to camp as his men weathered a bitter winter and prepared for their long journey west to the place where he saw Pike’s Peak. Although he never actually climbed the top, he is named after him as a memento. Oprah Winfrey paused long enough to label local cowboys as racist hicks, refer to those of us who live here as renegades living in the “armpit of America,” and endear ourselves to us by implying that we are all armed criminals. A host of country music stars visited the prairie town and left their mark on the town with two wonderful country radio stations.
Lamar, Colorado is home to the Big Timbers Museum. Newly renovated, the Big Timbers Museum houses a large collection of area memorabilia, military display cases including one of 13 revolutionary flags, and such ingenious specialties as a huge ball of yarn, one of the first permanent wave machines (yikes!) and Tributes to American Pioneers.
Lamar, Colorado is a historic community on the Arkansas River. Home to a burglarized Rail Road Depot, Lamar lays claim to more than an average share of historic structures and plenty of stories to tell. This community boasts a welcoming Arts Center, Enchanted Forest (amazing in the dryland prairies), and the best-known baseball and golf courses this side of Texas.
If you’re looking for tourist things to occupy your time, visit our community and join any of the summer celebrations that will take place during your visit. It’s a good time on the prairie tonight, the barn dance will be great!