History of Greeley, Colorado, USA

1870 - Union Colony is established by Horace Greeley and Nathan C. Meeker at Greeley, and first irrigation canal surveyed there. The Greeley Tribune established.

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1876 - Greeley's first industry, the tanning of buffalo hides, turns out 12 robes a day.

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1884 - A DREADFUL DEATH Ten Roustabouts Connected with the Anglo-American Circus Perish in the Flames.
CRIMINAL CARELESSNESS OF THE MANAGERS.
On the morning of the 29th as the Anglo-American circus train on the way from Fort Collins to Greeley, reached a point about ten miles west of Greeley, a sleeping car containing over sixty men, mostly canvas and stock men, was discovered in flames, the result of a gasoline explosion. The car was much like a common caboose, with a door at each end and one window. One door was blocked by trunks and luggage, and the fire was at the other end thus leaving only the small window as a means of exit. It was the custom of the managers to carry in this car so crowded with human life, two barrels of gasoline which were used in lighting the circus grounds. It is supposed that this caught fire from a torch with which the car was lighted.

The explosion awoke everybody in the train. The engineer, hearing the explosion and seeing the bunk car aflame, whistled for brakes and the train was stopped as soon as possible. The engine being next the bunk car, the... Read MORE...

1888 - Union Colony at Greeley completes 900,000 acre irrigation project.

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1895 - Greeley
Greeley, a post-town of Weld co., Col., on the Cache la Poudre River, and on the Denver Pacific Railroad, 52 miles N. by E. of Denver, and 54 miles S.S.E. of Cheyenne. It is situated in a fertile valley, and has a delightful climate. It has 8 churches, graded schools, 3 banks, and manufactures of flour and lumber. Four newspapers are published here. It has a school-building which cost 5,000, also an irrigating-canal 36 miles long. Pop. 2395.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1897 - Kicked by Horse
Last Wednesday the little four year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Klug while playing near a horse at their home on Box Elder was kicked in the head above the left eye inflicting a terrible gash and fracturing the skull. Mr. Klug and wife drove to Greely with the little fellow as fast as horse flesh could take them and had the wounds dressed. The child is doing as well as can be expected considering how badly he was hurt. -Evans Courier.
The Greeley Tribune
Greeley, Colorado
June 24, 1897

1916
Greeley, a banking city, capital of Weld co., Colo., on the Cache la Poudre River, 52 miles NNE. of Denver, on the Union Pacific and the Colorado and Southern Rs. It is situated in a fertile valley and has a delightful climate. It has a state normal school, flour-, lumber-, beet-sugar, and coaling-industries. Pop. in 1900, 3023. Elevation, 4635 feet.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1921 - May 21 - Oldest radio station west of Mississippi River licensed in Greeley Co

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1924 - Celebration held in Greeley marking completion of concrete pavement between Denver and Greeley - first two major cities in State to be connected by paved highways.

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1937 - SECOND MAN DIES IN REFINERY BLAST. R. HOUSEWEART, 22, SUCCUMBS TO HIS BURNS. BODIES OF BOTH MEN ARE SENT TO KINDERHOOK, ILL., FOR BURIAL; GARD COLEMAN, 25, OTHER VICTIM OF SOUTH GREELEY EXPLOSION.
RAY (DOC) HOUSEWEART, 22, of Eaton and Kinderhook, Ill., died at 1:09 a.m. Saturday, slightly more than 24 hours after he had been burned in the explosion and fire which wrecked the Harry Osborn Oil Refinery on South Eighth Avenue, Greeley early Friday.

HOUSEWEART was the second victim of the flames. GARD COLEMAN, still-tender, had lived slightly more than five hours.

Though some hope was held for HOUSEWEART'S recovery when he was first brought to the Greeley Hospital, this hope faded rapidly during the day Friday and with the coming of darkness death began to close in.
Both bodies were taken to the Sattley Funeral Home and were scheduled to be shipped to Kinderhook, Ill., Saturday evening where relatives will take charge.

HOUSEWEART hs two uncles in Kinderhook, as well as an aunt and a mother living somewhere in Illinois.

Investigating into the explosion continued here Saturday.

Deputy District Attorney William R. Baab announced that from the information he had... Read MORE...

Here are some of the best places to visit and things to do in Greeley:
1. Greeley History Museum:

Start your exploration of Greeley's history at the Greeley History Museum. It's housed in a beautiful historic building and showcases the city's past through exhibits, photographs, and artifacts. You can learn about the city's founding and its agricultural heritage.

2. Centennial Village Museum:

Right next door to the Greeley History Museum is the Centennial Village Museum. This living history museum features over 30 historic structures, including a blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, and pioneer homes. It's a great place to step back in time and experience life in the late 1800s.

3. Poudre River Trail:

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Poudre River Trail offers a scenic and peaceful escape. This 21-mile-long trail runs along the Cache la Poudre River, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching. It's particularly beautiful in the spring and fall.

4. Greeley Ice Haus:

If you're visiting in the winter or just looking to cool... Read MORE...