Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-07-23
fine VACATION
RESORT NEARBY
Where Tourist Travel Nav
Be Diverted
IN CANYONS OF
PURGATOIRE RIVER
Otero Agricultural Club Asks Rocky
Ford and La Junta to Establish
Summer Resort

Tho it is r little late in the season
for an effective publicity campaign
the movement inaugurated by the
Otero Agricultural Club to establish
a summer vacation resort in the can
yons of the Purgatoirc river, about 80
miles south of this city, has gained
the Endorsement of the La Junta In
dustrial Association, and concerted
effort by the two organizations may
yet divert considerable travel that is
now passing thru to the mountains
to this nearby resort that in scenic
wonders is said to compare favorably
with the Garden of the Gods.
The canyons OF the Purgatoire and
their adaptability as a summer resort
is well told in the following commun-
ication from r. II. James to the La
Junta association:
81 see by the papers that the La
Junta Industrial Association has been
reorganizcd with you as secretary.
The board of directors of the Otero
Agricultural Club has the matter of
publicity for the Purgatoirc Canons
as scenic and vacation resorts.
thought that this was a proposition
that VIC could get together on and SO
write you our ideas. / would be
glad to hear what you people think
of the proposition at your earliest
convenience.
In our discussion we found that
our board was unanimously of the
opinion that the scenery of these
canons was much better than most
people supposed, and that if an ex-
pedition by auto was made by the
club taking along good photogra-
pher, material could be secured for
campaign which would divert con-
siderable travel from the mountains.
We thought it would be good policy
to establish 4 convenient camping
ground where there was good water
and make list of the places OF inter
est adjacent and directions for reach
ing them. If possible make arrange
mcnts for some one to cater to the
wants of campers and picniccrs.
These pictures and advantages
could be made public through the To-
cal papers, picture shows, post cards
or any other way handy, the idea be-
ing to get our peoples attention CEN
tered on particular route with
definite name as well as better in
formed as to what really is in the
canon country.
The benefits to be derived would be
in cheaper vacations for people who
have the vacation habit and are used
to indulging it. The opportunity for
parties OF local people to take short
trips at small expense; the entertain
ment OF eastern visitors and tourists
who are generally told if they wish
to see anything they will have to
go to the mountains; for the farmer
it means he can take his family and
drive to an enjoyable camping place
in less than day. This is feature
that should be pushed, as farmers as
a general rule do not give their fam
lilies outings enough. As financial
proposition it will keep money at
home for camping outfitting which is
now spent in the mountains; it will
get eastern money which does not
now stop, and create considerable
livery business for our garages.
believe this worthy your cooperation
from every standpoint.
| would like to hear from you on
this soon as it is getting late in the
season. We would have been busy
on it before but for the wet season
and the fact that the men on our
board are all too busy this season to
spare a day unless there was some
thing that could not be deferred.
| have been there enough to know
that your people make better use of
the excellent road from your town,
comparatively, than do ours. But,
still do not think it is as universally
used as it might be, nor would be, ii
it were more advertised.
Excuse length of this letter and be-
lieve me. for the betterment OF Otero
county. Yours truly,
r. ii. JAMES.
pnart aE n,,artnrc nt.rn