Have you ever wondered how certain Colorado towns had their names determined? Me too! Today, we will take a look at 15 Colorado towns and just how/why they were given their names! Note: All information in this article comes from Genealogy Trails.
- Broomfield
Flickr/Beth Skinner Named for the numerous broom corn fields in the area.
- Akron
Wikimedia Commons Greek for “summit,” Akron is the highest point on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad east of Denver.
- Evergreen
Wikimedia Commons Named for the dense forests of evergreens in the area.
- Denver
Wikimedia Commons Our beloved capital was named for General James Denver, the Governor of the Kansas territory when Colorado was first discovered.
- Colorado Springs
Wikimedia Commons Named for the abundant springs in the area.
- Woodland Park
Wikimedia Commons Reportedly named for the abundance of pine and spruce trees.
- Telluride
Flickr/Michael Buck Named for the ore tellurium.
- Victor
Wikimedia Commons Named after the “Victor Mine.”
- Fairplay
Wikimedia Commons The founders of the town wanted a place where “fair play” would outweigh both lawlessness and claim jumping.
- Kiowa
Flickr/Michael Sauers Named for the Kiowa Indians.
- Genoa
Flickr/Ali R Presumed to be named for Genoa, Italy.
- Hygiene
Flickr/John Fischer Named for a sanitarium called Hygiene Home.
- La Junta
Wikimedia Commons Named after the Spanish word for “junction” (as it is the Santa Fe Trail junction that leads to Pueblo).
- Ouray
Wikimedia Commons Named for the Ute Indian Chief Ouray, whose name translates to “ure” or “arrow.”
- Pueblo
Wikimedia Commons Named for Fort Pueblo, a circular adobe structure built in 1842.
Did you know about any of these? Or have you always heard a different story behind the name? Tell us about it in the comments!
Flickr/Beth Skinner
Named for the numerous broom corn fields in the area.
Wikimedia Commons
Greek for “summit,” Akron is the highest point on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad east of Denver.
Wikimedia Commons
Named for the dense forests of evergreens in the area.
Our beloved capital was named for General James Denver, the Governor of the Kansas territory when Colorado was first discovered.
Named for the abundant springs in the area.
Reportedly named for the abundance of pine and spruce trees.
Flickr/Michael Buck
Named for the ore tellurium.
Named after the “Victor Mine.”
The founders of the town wanted a place where “fair play” would outweigh both lawlessness and claim jumping.
Flickr/Michael Sauers
Named for the Kiowa Indians.
Flickr/Ali R
Presumed to be named for Genoa, Italy.
Flickr/John Fischer
Named for a sanitarium called Hygiene Home.
Named after the Spanish word for “junction” (as it is the Santa Fe Trail junction that leads to Pueblo).
Named for the Ute Indian Chief Ouray, whose name translates to “ure” or “arrow.”
Named for Fort Pueblo, a circular adobe structure built in 1842.
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