San Luis is a statutory town that is the county seat of and the most populous town in Costilla County, Colorado, United States. Formerly known as San Luis de la Culebra, it is the oldest continuously occupied town in Colorado. The population was 598 at the 2020 census. The settlers built a church in the central village of La Plaza Medio. They dedicated it on the Feast of Saint Louis, June 21, 1851, renaming the village San Luis de la Culebra in honor of the saint.

The United States Army established Fort Massachusetts in 1852 and Fort Garland in 1858 to provide protection for the settlers in the valley. The village of San Luis remained part of the Territory of New Mexico until 1861 when the Territory of Colorado was established. San Luis became the seat of Costilla County in 1863, and remains so to this day. Colonel Christopher "Kit" Carson, Commander of Fort Garland, negotiated a treaty with the Ute people in 1867. Colorado became a state in 1876 and the Town of San Luis was incorporated in 1885. Today, San Luis is the oldest continuously inhabited town in the State of Colorado.

A Pueblo Chieftain article dated June 8, 1872, describes the three stores of San Luis as kept by Fred Meyer & Co, Auguste Lacome and Mazers & Rich in addition to a blacksmith, butcher, beer saloon, carpenter and two hotels.

Today, the town is renowned for its Stations of the Cross ascending the 250-foot high local mesa. Visitors can ascend the hill using a half-mile trail and visit each of the stations, or drive to the top and park near a chapel located at the end of the trail. The town celebrates the each July and the San Luis Manito Christmas celebration in December.

Geography

The town of San Luis lies in the San Luis Valley. Colorado State Highway 159 leads north to Fort Garland and U.S. Route 160, and south to the New Mexico border. Highway 142 leads west to Manassa.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.

Demographics

<!--At the 2000 census, there were 739 people, 322 households and 200 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 376 housing units at an average density of . The racial make-up of the town was 60.49% White, 0.27% African American, 2.44% Native American, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 29.50% from other races and 7.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 88.77% of the population.

There were 322 households, of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 37.6% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.94.

23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64 and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median household income was $14,213 and the median family income was $20,875. Males had a median income of $20,156 and females $13,333. The per capita income was $8,887. About 29.9% of families and 34.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.1% of those under age 18 and 21.2% of those age 65 or over.-->

Notable people

  • Huberto Maestas, sculptor
  • Dario Gallegos, founder of R&R Market in 1857

See also

  • Old Spanish National Historic Trail
  • Culebra Range
  • Auguste Lacome

References

  • Town of San Luis official website