[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 78 (Thursday, June 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           HONORING THE 125 YEAR HISTORY OF LA VETA, COLORADO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
pay special tribute to La Veta, Colorado on its 125th Birthday. For 
over a century, the people of La Veta have contributed a rich heritage 
and cultural diversity to the state of Colorado. I would like Congress 
to wish the citizens of La Veta a very happy 125th birthday.
  In 1862, Col. John M. Francisco, a former settler with the US Army at 
Fort Garland, and Judge Henry Daigle built Fort Francisco on land 
purchased from the Vigil-St. Vrain Land Grant, significantly south west 
of most of the San Luis Valley bound traffic. When Col. John Francisco 
looked down on the future site of La Veta in the mid 1850's he said, 
``This is paradise enough for me.'' The town of La Veta was 
incorporated on October 9, 1876.
  As more settlers moved into this beautiful and fertile valley, the 
Fort increased in importance as shelter from Indians and as the 
commercial center for the area. The first Post Office, named Spanish 
Peaks, opened in the Plaza in 1871. By 1875 the Indian threat was 
almost completely gone. In 1876 the narrow gauge railroad came through 
La Veta several blocks north of the Fort on its way westward through 
the newly surveyed La Veta Pass. In 1877 the permanent rail depot was 
built beside the rails and the business community slowly moved north 
toward it. For many years, this stretch of the line between La Veta and 
Wagon Creek was the highest in the world. The old depot building at the 
summit is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
  The mountains of the Sangre de Cristo Range were long known by the 
Indians of the Southwest. Relics of the Basket Weaver Culture have also 
been found within the county. The Spanish Peaks are a historic landmark 
to travelers--from the early Indians to the vacationer. Besides being 
the railhead, La Veta has also been the center of local agriculture and 
coal mining.
  Mr. Speaker, the citizens of Colorado are proud of La Veta's 125-year 
heritage. It is an area rich in culture, history and heritage. For that 
Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish La Veta happy birthday and wish its 
citizens good luck and prosperity for the next 125 years.

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