About the City of Alamosa

Alamosa Literally Grew Up Overnight

In June 1878, the City of Alamosa went from a tent City, to a rail center for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad.  According to local legend, the rail crews were fed in Garland City in the morning, then the building was placed on a flat car and the crews were fed dinner from the same building in Alamosa that night. Many of the City’s first buildings were brought in whole, on railroad flat cars. Alamosa was incorporated on August 30, 1878. Alamosa, which means “cottonwood” in Spanish, is the hub of the San Luis Valley for retail and services.

A vintage view of a rail yard with boxcars, a railway station, and nearby buildings, including a hotel named "Hotel Lyon."
Alamosa Early Years, Depot Circa 1900
A vintage street scene with people gathered, horses pulling a cart, and some buildings in the background.
Parade in Alamosa’s Early Years
A vintage street scene with old cars, buildings, and a dirt road.
Alamosa Early Years, Downtown
A vintage street scene with a Chevron gas station, cars, and buildings along the road under a partly cloudy sky.
Alamosa Early Years, Chevron Fuel Station
Aerial view of a small town with houses, roads, dense trees, and distant mountains under a clear sky.
Historical Photo of the City of Alamosa
An 1882 illustration of Alamosa, Colorado, showing a bird's-eye view of the town layout with buildings and surrounding landscape.
Alamosa Early Years, 1882
A small town with buildings, train cars, and a lumber yard, set against a backdrop of distant mountains.
Alamosa Early Years, Rail Yard
A deserted street with vintage buildings, a hotel sign, and parked cars.
Alamosa Early Years, State Street, 1960
A vintage street scene with people walking, horse-drawn carriages, and historic brick buildings on both sides. Trees line the street.
Alamosa Early Years, Traffic Light
A vintage view of a rail yard with boxcars, a railway station, and nearby buildings, including a hotel named "Hotel Lyon."
A vintage street scene with people gathered, horses pulling a cart, and some buildings in the background.
A vintage street scene with old cars, buildings, and a dirt road.
A vintage street scene with a Chevron gas station, cars, and buildings along the road under a partly cloudy sky.
Aerial view of a small town with houses, roads, dense trees, and distant mountains under a clear sky.
An 1882 illustration of Alamosa, Colorado, showing a bird's-eye view of the town layout with buildings and surrounding landscape.
A small town with buildings, train cars, and a lumber yard, set against a backdrop of distant mountains.
A deserted street with vintage buildings, a hotel sign, and parked cars.
A vintage street scene with people walking, horse-drawn carriages, and historic brick buildings on both sides. Trees line the street.
While the population of 9,000 may not sound large,
our Community offers much more than you might expect.

With numerous hotels and restaurants, Alamosa is an active community of the San Luis Valley.

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