Trinidad, Colorado Grabs Visitors

Named a 2008 Top Town By True West

Back in 1882, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday made a brief stopover in Trinidad to visit old friend Bat Masterson, who served as the town marshal. They weren’t alone; thousands of folks went through Trinidad on the Santa Fe Trail, or on the road between New Mexico and Denver.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors still come to Trinidad, our #3 town, each year, experiencing a living heritage that reflects the Old West.

The announcement comes in the January/February issue of True West magazine, on newsstands January 15, 2008. The Number 1 Town is St. Joseph, Missouri.

In 2006, more than 400,000 people traveled to Trinidad. They came to see the El Corazon de Trinidad National Historic District, which basically covers downtown. They visited the Baca House, and 1870 adobe structure, and the Bloom Mansion (currently undergoing renovation). They celebrated the Santa Fe Trail Festival and the County Rodeo and Fair, which dates back to 1910.

“Frankly, we were surprised by all that’s going on in Trinidad,” says True West Executive Editor Bob Boze Bell. “But it’s a very pleasant surprise, especially considering all of the local efforts to preserve the town’s history and culture. It’s no wonder that so many folks visit Trinidad each year.”

Several preservation efforts are in the planning stage or already underway. Among them: the McCormick, one of Trinidad’s largest commercial buildings; the Toltec Building, which is being converted to retail and residences; the Barela Building; and the 1882 Jaffa Opera House.

And all of these projects are being undertaken by private interests. That’s real community involvement and dedication. And it’s why Trinidad deserves recognition.

Past top town recipients: Helper, Utah (2007) and Sheridan, Wyoming (2006).

True West editors determine winners for this annual award based on criteria demonstrating how each town has preserved its history through old buildings, museums and other institutions, events and promotion of historic resources.

The feature includes Towns to Watch for their good works in historic preservation and several legendary locales folks should know.

True West magazine is in its 55th year of leading the way in presenting the true stories of Old West adventure, history, culture and preservation. For subscriptions and more information, visit http://www.twmag.comor call 888-687-1881.

Contact: Mark Boardman

765-491-4063 mailto:mboardman@twmag.com