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COLORADO
CITY, TEXAS
"Mother City of
West Texas"
Mitchell County Seat, Texas Panhandle / West Texas
I-20 and Hwys 208 and 163
63 miles West of Abilene
38 miles East of Big
Spring
Population 4,281 (2000) 4,749 (1990)
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Second
Street in 1917
Courtesy rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Colorado City is the oldest established town between Weatherford and
El Paso.
The name comes from it's location on the Colorado River.
1880s: The Texas & Pacific Railroad arrives, the town becomes the
county seat and gets a post office - all in 1881. "Pete" Snyder, namesake
of the Scurry County seat does a brisk business in Colorado City.
Throughout the 1880s Colorado City was a prosperous town - but it
lost business to Abilene and San Angelo when the railroad reached
those cities in 1887/88.
1890s: Salt mining was an economic factor
1900s: This decade brought a surge of settlers - increasing the population
and creating a boom.
1910s: Electricity and water come to Colorado City and a setback from
drought is experienced 1916 - 1918
1920s: The twenties were good everywhere and Colorado City was no
exception. City Hall was built and streets paved
1930s: Oil discoveries in Mitchell and neighboring counties help ease
The Great Depression - but for the most part the growth was stagnant
1959: Lake Colorado City and Champion Creek Reservoir were built
Mitchell
County Courthouse |
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T &
P Depot in Colorado City
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/%7Etxpstcrd/ |
Colorado
City Attractions
The Heart of
West Texas Museum: Third Street and Locust St. Closed Mondays
Lake Colorado
City State Park: 915/728-3931
7 miles southwest of town off Highway 163
4582 FM 2836 Colorado City TX 79512
Champion Creek
Reservoir
Texas 208, seven miles south of Colorado City on Champion Creek
Colorado
City Hotels
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
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Coca
Cola sign in Colorado City
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2005 |
Colorado
City Methodist Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007 |
All
Saints Episcopal Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2005 |
Water
towers
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007 |
Baker
Hotel sign
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007 |
The
closed Baker Hotel in Colorado City
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007 |
Colorado
City Tourist Information
Colorado
City Chamber of Commerce: 325-728-3403
157 W. 2nd o P.O. Box 242
Colorado City, Texas 79512
http://coloradocitychamberofcommerce.com/
Colorado
City Texas Forum
Anyone
wishing to share history or photos of Colorado City, please contact
us.
© John Troesser |
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