The Elbert Town Committee was formed by a group of interested residents for the purpose of advancing tourism to the town of Elbert. They were also interested in saving the history of this old railroad town. Most of the members of the Elbert Town Committee are members of the long established Elbert Woman's Club, who have restored the Russell Gates Mercantile Building to its 1906 grandeur. Other members of this group are business owners interested in improving the town for the benefit of the residents as well as visitors. All of the members have a deep appreciation for history and this town, and have all been involved in previous renovations, restorations or history projects.
The Elbert Town Committee is a registered 501©3 nonprofit organization.
Telephone: (719) 447-5563
E-mail: [email protected]
Elbert Town Committee
PO Box 302
Elbert, CO 80106
A Short History of Elbert, Colorado
Farming. Railroad. Flood.
Elbert is a quaint prairie town located south of Kiowa on Elbert Rd. The community was settled around 1860, and was located in the valley of Kiowa Creek. At the time it was known as Gomer's Gulch, and was named for Gomer's Sawmill. The town was made up of a post office, stores, gambling halls and saloons. The town was later moved down the creek a short distance and was renamed Elbert.
In the 1880's the Denver and New Orleans Railroad (later to become the Colorado and Southern Railroad) created a new line from Denver to Pueblo with one of the stops being Elbert. The town grew and thrived and at one time boasted three large mercantile stores, including the Russell Gates Mercantile Company, 2 banks, a post office, 2 creameries, 2 hotels and all the other businesses you would expect at that time in a country town.
Memorial Day weekend in 1935 brought disaster to Elbert when, after a month of nonstop rains, 24 inches of additional rain fell in less than 6 hours and Kiowa Creek flooded the town, destroying many businesses and homes and causing enough damage to the railroad tracks that the line was abandoned and the tracks eventually torn up.
Today, many of the historic buildings and homes that survived the flood are still standing. The Presbyterian Church, built in 1889, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Russell Gates Mercantile Building, built in 1906, is a community gathering place and is in the process of continuing restoration. The Sacred Heart Catholic Church has been lovingly restored. The post office now houses Adriana's Place restaurant, and the Elbert Mercantile is the South Forty Saloon & Café. A newer building houses a 4,000 sq. ft. antiques and art gallery (Dancing Wolf Gallery).
Come visit Elbert and enjoy our antique stores & restaurants. Drive thru our quiet town and take a trip back in history to a slower simpler time.
The Elbert Town Committee is a registered 501©3 nonprofit organization.
Telephone: (719) 447-5563
E-mail: [email protected]
Elbert Town Committee
PO Box 302
Elbert, CO 80106
A Short History of Elbert, Colorado
Farming. Railroad. Flood.
Elbert is a quaint prairie town located south of Kiowa on Elbert Rd. The community was settled around 1860, and was located in the valley of Kiowa Creek. At the time it was known as Gomer's Gulch, and was named for Gomer's Sawmill. The town was made up of a post office, stores, gambling halls and saloons. The town was later moved down the creek a short distance and was renamed Elbert.
In the 1880's the Denver and New Orleans Railroad (later to become the Colorado and Southern Railroad) created a new line from Denver to Pueblo with one of the stops being Elbert. The town grew and thrived and at one time boasted three large mercantile stores, including the Russell Gates Mercantile Company, 2 banks, a post office, 2 creameries, 2 hotels and all the other businesses you would expect at that time in a country town.
Memorial Day weekend in 1935 brought disaster to Elbert when, after a month of nonstop rains, 24 inches of additional rain fell in less than 6 hours and Kiowa Creek flooded the town, destroying many businesses and homes and causing enough damage to the railroad tracks that the line was abandoned and the tracks eventually torn up.
Today, many of the historic buildings and homes that survived the flood are still standing. The Presbyterian Church, built in 1889, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Russell Gates Mercantile Building, built in 1906, is a community gathering place and is in the process of continuing restoration. The Sacred Heart Catholic Church has been lovingly restored. The post office now houses Adriana's Place restaurant, and the Elbert Mercantile is the South Forty Saloon & Café. A newer building houses a 4,000 sq. ft. antiques and art gallery (Dancing Wolf Gallery).
Come visit Elbert and enjoy our antique stores & restaurants. Drive thru our quiet town and take a trip back in history to a slower simpler time.