Lamar, Colorado Weather Cams
Southeast Colorado Regional Airport (Lamar)
Lamar, Colorado: Rails, Resilience, and the Heart of the High Plains
Lamar, Colorado Weather Cams. In the southeastern corner of Colorado, where the prairie stretches wide beneath an endless sky, the town of Lamar stands as a testament to frontier ingenuity, agricultural endurance, and the transformative power of the railroad. Founded in 1886 under dramatic circumstances, Lamar quickly grew into a vital hub for transportation, commerce, and community life on the High Plains. Its story is one of bold beginnings, environmental challenges, and a deep-rooted connection to the land and people of Prowers County.
A Town Born of a Railroad Hijack
Lamar’s origin story is as colorful as the plains sunsets that grace its horizon. In May 1886, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway sought to establish a new town along its expanding line. The ideal location was Blackwell Station, but the landowner refused to sell. Undeterred, the railroad orchestrated a bold maneuver: while the landowner was lured away by a fake telegram, a crew dismantled the Blackwell depot and moved it three miles west overnight. By morning, the depot had been reassembled, and the new townsite—named Lamar after Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, then U.S. Secretary of the Interior—was born.
This audacious act set the tone for a town that would grow rapidly. Within months, Lamar had a post office, businesses, and a burgeoning population. By December 1886, it was incorporated, and in 1889, it became the seat of newly formed Prowers County.
Rails, Cattle, and Commerce
Lamar’s location along the Santa Fe Railroad made it a natural shipping point for cattle, grain, and goods. The town became a magnet for ranchers and farmers, many of whom were drawn by the promise of fertile land and access to markets. The Arkansas River, flowing just north of town, provided essential water for irrigation and livestock.
By the early 20th century, Lamar had established itself as a regional center for agriculture and trade. Grain elevators, stockyards, and warehouses lined the tracks, and the town’s economy thrived on the movement of goods across the plains. The arrival of U.S. Highways 50, 287, and 385 further cemented Lamar’s role as a crossroads of commerce.
Dust and Determination: The Great Depression Years
The 1930s brought hardship to Lamar and the surrounding region. The Dust Bowl ravaged southeastern Colorado, turning once-productive farmland into a barren, windblown landscape. Crops failed, livestock perished, and families struggled to survive.
Yet Lamar endured. Federal New Deal programs such as the Civil Works Administration and the Works Progress Administration provided jobs and infrastructure improvements. Local projects included road construction, public buildings, and soil conservation efforts. These initiatives not only helped stabilize the economy but also laid the groundwork for future growth.
A Hub of History and Heritage
Lamar’s historical significance extends beyond its founding tale. The town lies along the historic Santa Fe Trail, a 19th-century trade route that connected Missouri to New Mexico. Nearby landmarks such as Bent’s Old Fort and the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site offer sobering and insightful glimpses into the region’s complex past.
During World War II, Lamar was also near the Amache Relocation Center in Granada, one of ten internment camps where Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated. Today, the site is preserved as a National Historic Landmark, and Lamar plays a role in educating visitors about this chapter of American history.
Natural Wonders and Avian Highways
Despite its semi-arid climate, Lamar is rich in natural beauty and biodiversity. The town is a premier birding destination, with over 400 species passing through annually. Its location along the Central Flyway makes it a key stopover for migratory birds, including the snow geese celebrated each February during the High Plains Snow Goose Festival.
Lamar is also Colorado’s only designated Monarch City USA, recognizing its efforts to protect monarch butterfly habitats. The nearby John Martin Reservoir and Two Buttes Reservoir State Wildlife Areas offer opportunities for fishing, camping, and wildlife observation.
Icons and Oddities
Lamar is home to one of Colorado’s most unusual roadside attractions: the Petrified Wood Gas Station. Built in the 1930s from fossilized wood found 30 miles south of town, the structure has been featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not and remains a quirky symbol of local pride.
The restored Santa Fe Railroad depot now houses the Colorado Welcome Center, where visitors can learn about the region’s history, pick up travel tips, and enjoy a free cup of coffee. The depot is a reminder of the town’s enduring connection to the rails that gave it life.
Education, Community, and Culture
Lamar is home to Lamar Community College, a vital institution that serves students from across southeastern Colorado. The college offers programs in agriculture, nursing, renewable energy, and more, helping to sustain the region’s workforce and economy.
The town’s cultural calendar is filled with events that celebrate its heritage and community spirit. From the Wild West BBQ Cook-off to the Lamar Days Rod Run and the Parade of Lights, these gatherings bring residents and visitors together in celebration of small-town life.
Looking Ahead
Today, Lamar remains the largest town in southeastern Colorado, with a population of around 7,700. It continues to serve as a commercial and cultural anchor for the region, balancing its agricultural roots with modern industries such as renewable energy and transportation.
With its rich history, resilient spirit, and deep ties to the land and sky, Lamar is more than a dot on the map—it’s a living chronicle of the American West. From a hijacked depot to a hub of heritage, Lamar’s story is one of bold beginnings, hard-earned survival, and a future still unfolding beneath the wide Colorado sky.
For more information, visit the Lamar, Colorado official website.