Chapter History
The La Junta Chapter was organized on November 24, 1913, by State Regent Mrs. Winfield Tarbell and received charter number 1192. The chapter serves the communities of La Junta, Fowler, Las Animas, and Rocky Ford in Otero and Bent Counties. The Organizing Regent was Harriet West Grant Bragg who served as chapter regent for seven years.
La Junta Chapter organizing members:
- Harriet Richardson Armstrong
- Eunice Fuller Bennett
- Harriet West Grant Bragg
- Bessie Houghton Irvin Garlington
- Elizabeth Houghton Garlington
- Mary Jenkins Hart
- Anna Baker Jarneyson
- Alice Kendall Larsen
- Kathleen May Allen Miller
- Birtie Morrison
- Hattie Brown Ragsdale
- Carrie Allen Rice
- Rosabel Carter Winchell
La Junta is a Spanish word meaning “the junction” or “hub.” The town was named La Junta for several reasons. From the 1830s through the 1850s, the Santa Fe Trail met at Bent’s Fort and branched out to the south, west, and north. The Arkansas River came through the area as well and until 1849 the land south of the river was part of Mexico; Colorado Territory to the north made the town a natural trading junction. In 1881, the Kansas Pacific Railroad from the east met the Santa Fe Railroad from the west to form another hub or junction.
