The 1920 building (also known as Walsenburg Middle School) served the community for over 80 years as the center of middle and upper-level public school education.  The building is the work of the noted Colorado architectural firm of Isaac Hamilton Rapp and William Mason Rapp.

Designed by Pueblo architect C.A. Henderson, the two-story courthouse was built in 1904.  The adjacent two-story building utilized as the jail dates from the 1890s.

Though originally constructed in 1917 as the Star, the Fox Inter-mountain chain purchased and remodeled the building in 1941 and gave this mainstay of community entertainment a modern Art Deco appearance.

The Veta Pass-Uptop Historic District is important as related to transportation being a railroad stop from 1877-1901, the sawmill Industry from 1916-1945, and as tourist destination from 1945-1964.  

The community of Francisco Plaza, now La Veta, was originally founded in 1862. 

The simple L-shaped stuccoed stone depot dates to 1877.  The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad built it atop the 9,400 foot high La Veta Pass to serve passenger trains bound to and from the San Luis Valley to the west. 

Completed in 1889, the Masonic Hall is one of the earliest extant examples of the stone construction that would become a prominent component of La Veta’s architectural heritage.

Originally built in 1862 by "Colonel" John M. Francisco, the two early historic buildings form a U-shape around an open courtyard.  When constructed, they had 18 to 24 inch thick adobe walls, dirt floors, and a dirt roof supported by vigas. 

The Italian Mountain region was active from 1879 through World War II.  By 1905, the Star was the leading silver and lead mine in the area.  In fact, the mine operated almost continuously from 1890 to 1971, one of the longest runs of any mine in the county. 

Located between Gunnison and Lake City, the 1902 Spencer School complex includes a well, shed, privies, and teacher’s cabin.