This is the cover of a western novel, called 'Ride to Raton', written by Marsha Ward. Click here to go to Miss Ward's website...a lovely, talented woman, I am pleased to know her! The original of this painting is available for purchase.
In today's downtown Raton, the Joseph Building was formerly the site of the Gem Saloon and the Raton Realty Company. Dating from the 1890s, it retains the original pressed metal ceiling and painted cupids on the walls. The doors and windows are trimmed with a series of round brick arches.
One block north of the Downtown Raton Historic District lies Ripley Park. Created in the 1900s on land donated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, the park was named after Edward P. Ripley, then president of the company. The park's two acres of grass and trees offer a beautiful view of the mesas and mountains which surround Raton. Located in the park is a stone monument, commemorating the mountain branch of the Santa Fe Trail. In the 1800s settlers, frontiersman and soldiers alike followed this early Indian and Spanish route across the Raton Pass and proceeded south, through Raton.
I drove through the Raton Pass in October as I headed to Denver, and again on the way home. It is beautiful country!
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