About the El Paso County Wagon Train
THE MISSION OF THE EL PASO COUNTY WAGON TRAIN IS TO SUPPORT AND CELEBRATE THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF THE SETTLERS AND PROMOTE QUALITY HORSEMANSHIP
In 1988, Alf Owens, the El Paso County Fair Manager for many years, Secretary Mary Richardson, and Board Members Junior Hall and Dale Lucore, were looking for ideas to promote the El Paso County Fair.
The Rock Island Railroad train stopped at the Lucore Ranch in Peyton, CO with the county officials and other supporters for a branding of calves in the arena by the railroad track. BBQ was brought in by Jean Gaddy for 4-H member, families and friends.
The next year, 1989, was the first authentic wagon train pulled by work teams of either horses, or mules rolling across the prairie. Rubber wheeled wagons were forbidden. It started out at Latigo Ranch, North of Falcon, CO with 26 wagons and 75 riders. We crossed the 4 Way Ranch known as Bob Lee's, then on to the Dawson Ranch north of Peyton, CO.
It was hard to make 25 miles in one day so we stayed over-night there in wagons and tents under the trees. Teams were tied on picket lines with wranglers to watch over them during the night. That night we had a BBQ with over 200 people, a dance, and several different entertainments. Sunday morning after breakfast and Cowboy Church, we started off toward Calhan, CO to kick off the El Paso County Fair. We arrived at the Rodeo Arena in the afternoon.
The wagon train continued for 10 more years under all kinds of weather conditions, with almost the same route. We always had different entertainment through the years. Channel 11 did filming and KCS radio station interviewed as Indians attacked the wagon train and several other things happening on the trail.
In 1998, the Wagon Master retired and the wagon train discontinued the ride. In 2007, there were several parties interested in starting up the wagon train again. It was hard to find enough vintage wagons so the rules were changed to accept rubber tired wagons. That summer, we started from the fairgrounds to the Paint Mines and back to the fairgrounds, completing 10 miles to kick off the El Paso County Fair.
Since 2008, Don Bailey from Bailey Ranch, one mile north of Simla, CO has provided a starting point on the Eastern Plains. On Saturday we do a half day ride with lunch down on the Big Sandy. Once we return to the Bailey Ranch, the horses can be put in corrals or an outdoor arena until Sunday morning. You are then able to relax and take a tour of the Bailey Saddle Museum that has over 300 collectible saddles, bridles and antique cars.
Sunday morning we start off with breakfast at Bailey Ranch and afterwards you can attend a Cowboy Church service. When the service is completed we start a five mile ride to Big Sandy Ranch for lunch, then return back to Bailey Ranch.
