Fort Garland, Colorado
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Fort Garland is an unincorporated community in Costilla County, Colorado, United States. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined that community as a census-designated place (CDP). At the United States Census 2020, the population of the Fort Garland CDP was 464.<ref name="Census 2020" /> The Fort Garland post office has the ZIP Code 81133.<ref name=ZIPcode/>
History
Fort Garland was established by the US Army in June 1858 to protect settlers from the Utes in the San Luis Valley, which was then part of the New Mexico Territory. The fort was abandoned in 1883 following the confinement of the tribes to Indian reservation in Utah territory and Colorado. The Fort Garland Museum preserves some of the historic buildings from the fort.<ref>Fort Garland</ref>
Geography
Fort Garland is located at an elevation of Template:Convert in northern Costilla County.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> Fort Garland is at the crossroads of U.S. Route 160 and Colorado State Highway 159, which leads south towards Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The town of Blanca is Template:Convert west on U.S. Route 160. Walsenburg is Template:Convert to the east, across the Sangre de Cristo Range.
The Fort Garland CDP has an area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name=CO_CDP_2020/> Template:Clear
Demographics
The United States Census Bureau initially defined the Template:Nowrap for the Template:Nowrap Template:Historical populations Template:Clear
Economy
Fort Garland is referred to as the "Gateway to the San Luis Valley", as it is the first town one encounters when traveling west having crossed over La Veta Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Range. Fort Garland is home to many artists, painters, crafters and internationally known musicians.
Fort Garland has a business district with two motels, several restaurants, the Old Fort Market grocery store, the Fort Garland Museum, two gas stations, two recreational marijuana shops, a car wash, hair salon, campgrounds, hardware store, liquor store, and multiple shops featuring collectibles and antiquities as well as a Wild West show.
Arts and culture
The Annual Fort Garland Band Jam Music Festival features local and regional musicians, as well as nationally and internationally recognized musical talent. This summer event, usually held in mid-July, includes an open-air market, local food vendors offering up traditional and regional cuisine, a beer garden, and children's activities. The music offered covers numerous styles, from traditional Spanish guitar to R&B to rock and roll.
The Blanca/Fort Garland Community Center is open to residents and the public on daily, monthly or annual fees.
The Entrada Visitor Center offers information on local and regional points of interest, such as the Great Sand Dunes, the Colorado 'Gator farm, UFO Watchtower and other activities located within the San Luis Valley. Template:Clear
Infrastructure
The Fort Garland Water and Sanitation District provides services to residents. It has also provided water to the surrounding community who have cisterns.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
References
External links
- Fort Garland @ Colorado.com
- Fort Garland @ UncoverColorado.com
- Fort Garland @ Sangres.com
- Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center
- Fort Garland @ ColoradoEncyclopedia.org
- Fort Garland @ ArmyHistory.org
- Costilla County website
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