Editing Antonito, Colorado (section)

==History==
[[File:Antonito Train-Station Flags 2012-10-23.JPG|thumb|left|[[Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad|C&TS]] terminus (2012)]]
Antonito began life as a sheep herding camp known as San Antonio Junction, referring to its proximity to the [[Conejos River|Conejos]] and San Antonio rivers. When the [[Denver & Rio Grande Railroad]] built its line south from Alamosa, the town was renamed Antonito and became an important town on the railroad line. The San Antonio, Colorado, post office moved north to Antonito on January 24, 1881,<ref name=CPO>{{cite book|title=Colorado Post Offices 1859–1989|first1=William H.|last1=Bauer|first2=James L.|last2=Ozment|first3=John H.|last3=Willard|date=1990|publisher=[[Colorado Railroad Museum|Colorado Railroad Historical Foundation]]|location=[[Golden, Colorado]]|isbn=0-918654-42-4}}</ref> and the Town of Antonito was incorporated on December 29, 1889.<ref name=MuniIncCO/> There are currently no major industries located in Antonito, but the historic [[Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad]] has one terminus in Antonito and the other in [[Chama, New Mexico]]. The C&TS also has maintenance facilities<ref>{{cite web|url=http://railfan.com/drgw-coach-receives-restoration-grant/|access-date=November 19, 2018|title=D&RGW Coach Receives Restoration Grant|author=Jeff Terry|date=February 29, 2016}}</ref> and rail yard in the town. The [[Colorado Pacific Rio Grande Railroad]] continues to operate the rail line from Antonito to Alamosa.

In 2015, a Colorado State Highway project rebuilt the stretch of Highway 285 that runs through town. The new highway has helped beautify the downtown area and improve traffic flow.

The city has a number of unique buildings, including a historic [[Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad]] depot, one of only a few lava rock depots still existing in the United States. Currently in a state of disrepair, a grant to restore the building is in the works. Cano's Castle,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11786|title=Cano's Castle: Beer Can Folk Art, Antonito, Colorado|website=RoadsideAmerica.com}}</ref> a folk-art home constructed by a local resident, attracts attention from tourists and local residents alike. Just south of town, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Conejos County have jointly developed an outdoor shooting range with areas for rifle sighting as well as target practice ranges for various types of rifles and handguns.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chieftain.com/news/2595634-120/range-shooting-targets-conejos |title=Public shooting range is a hit &#124; the Pueblo Chieftain |access-date=March 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412200902/http://www.chieftain.com/news/2595634-120/range-shooting-targets-conejos |archive-date=April 12, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> An indoor archery range and nearby hunting and fishing opportunities attract outdoor enthusiasts.

A library, tire repair shop and a new medical clinic have opened in recent years and [[Family Dollar]] recently built a store in Antonito. The South Conejos School District recently constructed a new South Conejos Jr. and Sr. High School in the town.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southconejos.com/|title=South Conejos School District|website=www.southconejos.com}}</ref>

Several scenes from the prologue of [[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]] were filmed in and around Antonito, including scenes depicting the Jones family home. This century-old structure is currently used as a [[bed and breakfast]].<ref>{{|url=http://www.indianajonesbedandbreakfast.com/about_us/}}</ref>

The town is known for its many murals, most of them painted by [[Fred Haberlein]].

Antonito is the location of the oldest church building and congregation in Colorado, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, built in 1857.

Following the legalization of [[cannabis in Colorado]], Antonito took advantage of its location along the [[New Mexico]] border (where cannabis was illegal until 2022) to become a destination for New Mexico residents seeking to legally purchase cannabis. The tax revenue resulted in a $295,000 annual increase to the city budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/12/28/antonito-marijuana-taxes-benefits/|title=Antonito, Colorado booming because of marijuana taxes|date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108095820/https://www.denverpost.com/2018/12/28/antonito-marijuana-taxes-benefits/ |archive-date=November 8, 2020 }}</ref>