Lamar, CO (LMR)

Ticket Revenue

FY 2012

$186,924

Station Ridership

FY 2012

1,936

Note: Fiscal year is from
October through September.

The stop in Lamar is a platform situated next to the local Chamber of Commerce building and Colorado Visitors Center; this building is the restored 1907 railroad depot.

Lamar lies in a valley on the eastern plains of Colorado south of the Arkansas River. The city began as small depot and stock yard siding at a location on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (now BNSF Railway) at a location along the Santa Fe Trail called Blackwell. This was in the midst of extensive grazing lands belonging to A.R. Black, a prosperous cattleman of the period.

In 1866, Mr. Black was approached about donating some of his land adjacent to his depot as a town site. Although he was offered profits from the sale of town lots -- to which he would retain ownership -- Black refused. The town developers threatened to remove his depot; and before Black could obtain an injunction from Denver, the Blackwell depot was demolished and the depot moved three miles west. The demolition crew threw aside the Blackwell sign and put up the Lamar sign, thereby establishing the town.

Named for Lucius Quintus Lamar, the Secretary of the Interior under Grover Cleveland, the new city provided a land office and promises of free land. It was one of the last to be so constructed on the main line of the ATSF. The city thrived through the efforts of “town site platters” with much promotion and fanfare.

Today, Lamar is the seat of Prowers County and remains a center for agriculture, both for ranching and farming. The city is also home to the largest wind farm in Colorado.

Amtrak does not provide ticketing or baggage services at this facility. A caretaker opens the Visitors Center to serve passengers at train times.

Lamar is served by two daily trains.