Pick a highway.. any highway… here on the high plains… as you pass through small towns there are skeletons standing on main street, reminding you of another time, when the bare buildings were bustling business, the quiet streets were full of cars, there wasn’t a parking place to be found, and the sidewalks were brimming with people.
One Lamar, Colorado resident shares a poem of longing for those days and hoping they return.
This Lamar Town
I grew up in this Lamar town
When many stores were easily found
Ben Franklins, Duckwalls and more were around
That’s how it was in this Lamar town.
Corner Pharmacy, JC Penny, were also in town
Saturday nights everyone came on down
To shop, look or just to walk around
That’s how it was in this Lamar town.
The men dressed in overalls and blue work shirts
Women wore their Sunday go to meeting printed skirts
Keystones groceries was easily found
That’s how it was in this Lamar town.
Parking was a big problem all over town
Because everyone came from all around
Circle the block a time or two
Hoping a spot would come into view
That’s how it was in this Lamar town.
The streets were filled with people galore
Trying to get into some big store
So many people walking around
That’s how it was in this Lamar town.
The sidewalks were crowded, hard to walk
Some people would stop, just to talk
No one minded we just went around
That’s how it was in this Lamar town.
Camp Amache was not far away
Some were shopping probably everyday
Yeah, Saturday nights we all let our hair down
That’s how it was in this Lamar town.
Many stores have since gone away
Such a sad thing I must say
Let’s hope Lamar gets a big rebound
That’s how it is in this Lamar town.
The buildings are now in a state of disrepair
Who’s going to fix them, does anyone care?
We need buildings that are nice and sound
That’s how it is in this Lamar town.
We need these building fixed and ready to let
They would rent quickly and that’s a sure bet
When can you start just come on down
That’s how it is in this Lamar town.
Lamar needs more businesses that’s for sure
If not, how can we expect to endure?
Many needs jobs that now cant be found
That’s how it is in this Lamar town.
Lamar needs to wake up and see the plight
Get moving forward toward the light
If everyone would get together and come around
We could fix this old Lamar town.
By Lola Sperra
South 10th Street
Lamar, CO
The poem is courtesy of The Prowers Journal.
