Often times visitors to Chaffee County have come primarily to experience the rich history of the town of Salida and the surrounding area. From way back in 1866 when O.E. Harrington filed for the first ditch in the Salida area and the arrival of the ‘iron horse’ of the D&RGW to ‘South Arkansas’ (later called Salida) in 1880, to the great influx of settlers boosting Salida’s population to 1500 by 1882, we now host hundreds of thousands of folks interested , not only in outdoor recreation, but also in being a part of our history, visiting antique shops, art galleries and historic sites. Come be a part of the celebration of our great city, Salida, The Gateway to the Rockies!