National Register of Historic Places in Conejos County
Due to its location at the junction of the Rio Grande Railroad line to Chama, Durango and the San Juan Mountains and its branch to Santa Fe, Antonito became an important trade center in the southern San Luis Valley.
Expanding railroad service created the need for construction of the Palace Hotel which provided overnight accommodations for salesmen, wool merchants, and tourists beginning in 1890.
Quoted from the History Colorado website.