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Journey back in time to Greeley, Colorado, USA

Explore Greeley, Colorado, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.

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Greeley, Colorado, USA - Greeley, Colorado, USA - Gunter Hall, State Teachers College Gymnasium

Greeley, Weld, CO

...The fledgling town of 1200 was founded in 1870 by members of a joint stock colonization company called the Union Colony of Colorado, organized by Nathan Meeker, agricultural editor of Horace Greeley’s New York Tribune. Meeker visited Colorado Territory in October, 1869, and his observations on the people and places in the West were published in the Tribune. Meeker was smitten with the Rocky Mountain scenery, the energy and friendliness of its citizens, and the opportunity to inexpensively purchase or homestead fertile tracts of land in a climate renowned for its pure air, moderate temperatures and "perpetual" sunshine. His dream of starting a utopian community based on temperance, religion, education, agriculture, irrigation, cooperation, and family values was rekindled. He penned an appealing article, "A Western Colony" for the Tribune’s December 14, 1869 edition, in which he encouraged literate and temperance individuals with high moral standards and money to join him in a colony venture in Colorado Territory...




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Greeley Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

Greeley, Colorado, USA - Gunter Hall, State Teachers College Gymnasium
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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Gunter Hall, State Teachers College Gymnasium
Greeley, Colorado, USA - Park Scene and Cachelapoudre River Scene
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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Park Scene and Cachelapoudre River Scene
Greeley, Colorado, USA - Greeley Residences, 1906
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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Greeley Residences, 1906
Greeley, Colorado, USA - Ninth Avenue from State Normal Gate, 1907
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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Ninth Avenue from State Normal Gate, 1907
Greeley, Colorado, USA - State Normal School, Greeley, Col., C. and S. and U. P. Ry.
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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State Normal School, Greeley, Col., C. and S. and U. P. Ry.
Greeley, Colorado, USA - First Baptist Church, 1909
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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First Baptist Church, 1909
Greeley, Colorado, USA - Picking Cucumbers near Greeley, Colo. 1909
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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Picking Cucumbers near Greeley, Colo. 1909
Greeley, Colorado, USA - The High School
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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The High School
Greeley, Colorado, USA - Main Street
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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Main Street
Greeley, Colorado, USA - Park Congregational Church
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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Park Congregational Church
Greeley, Colorado, USA - Beet Sugar Factory
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Beet Sugar Factory
Greeley, Colorado, USA - City Hall and Library, 1912
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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City Hall and Library, 1912
Greeley, Colorado, USA - Ninth Ave and Sterling Bdg - Greeley
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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Ninth Ave and Sterling Bdg - Greeley
Greeley, Colorado, USA - The Camfield Hotel
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The Camfield Hotel
Greeley, Colorado, USA - 1920 advertisement

Gentry Bros. Circus
Greeley, Colorado, USA

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1920 advertisement

Gentry Bros. Circus
Greeley, Colorado, USA - The Junior High School
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The Junior High School
Greeley, Colorado, USA - Weld County Court House
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Weld County Court House
Greeley, Colorado, USA - 8th Ave. and Business District
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8th Ave. and Business District
Greeley, Colorado, USA - Colorado State College of Education, 1943
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Colorado State College of Education, 1943

Discover Unique Gift Ideas from or related to Greeley

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COLORADO ANCESTRY - Colorado Craft Beer and 14er Summit– Ceramic Mug Genealogy

Raise your glass—or in this case, your mug—to the Rocky Mountain high life! Our Colorado Craft Beer & 14er Summit Mug is the perfect blend of humor and hometown pride. This ceramic gem proudly declares, "I'm from Colorado! That explains a lot about my love for craft beer and my ability to summit a 14er without getting winded."

Patriotic Memories: Memorial Day Vintage Postcard Coffee Mug

Remembering the Brave, Honoring the Fallen Celebrate the spirit of Memorial Day with this stunning ceramic coffee mug featuring vintage postcards commemorating the holiday. Perfect for honoring the brave men and women who served, this mug is both a functional keepsake and a nostalgic work of art. Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or enjoying an afternoon tea, this dishwasher-safe and microwave-friendly mug is a timeless way to show your patriotism. Ideal as a gift for veterans, history buffs, or anyone who cherishes American traditions, this mug makes Memorial Day even more meaningful.

Discover Greeley: History, News, Travel, and Stories

Add informationAdd History/News/Story
1870 - Union Colony is established by Horace Greeley and Nathan C. Meeker at Greeley, and first irrigation canal surveyed there. The Greeley Tribune established.

www.e-referencedesk.com/ resources/ state-history-timeline/ colorado.html
1876 - Greeley's first industry, the tanning of buffalo hides, turns out 12 robes a day.

www.e-referencedesk.com/ resources/ state-history-timeline/ colorado.html
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.

www.e-referencedesk.com/ resources/ state-history-timeline/ colorado.html
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

historyorb.com
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.

www.e-referencedesk.com/ resources/ state-history-timeline/ colorado.html
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...

Discover YOUR Roots: Greeley Ancestry

Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Greeley, Colorado, USA

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Updated: 9/26/2023 9:24:57 PM