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Garfield, also known as Monarch
Directions: US Hwy 50, about 16 miles west of Salida
The name solemnizes the assassination of U.S. President James A. Garfield (1831-81). Incorporated as Junction City in 1880 where Middle Fork joins the South Arkansas River, Garfield functioned as a trade and entertainment center for mines that supplied gold, silver, copper and marble to build the state capitol in Denver. Trains on the Monarch spur were broken in tow just below Garfield to pass separately through a double switchback to negotiate the steep four and a half percent grade. |
