2017-12-14 06:02:37
Situated in the state’s northeast corner near the Nebraska border, Julesburg holds history at a crossroads for explorers, farmers, gold-seekers and others looking to find their place out West. The “Gateway to Colorado” has mellowed from its rough-and-tumble upbringing into a quiet agricultural hub of around 1,500 residents. Get your bearings at the Colorado Welcome Center with free coffee, maps and brochures. The staff can tell you about how this town on the Pony Express route was burned to the ground in the 1860s. A few years later, after the town was rebuilt, Union Pacific Railroad laid tracks through Julesburg. The population soared to 4,000 and Julesburg sprouted saloons and dance halls — and some interesting characters. Dive into this gritty era of Julesburg’s past at the Fort Sedgwick Museum, where artifacts tell of days when gamblers, cowboys and railroad workers made this the “Wickedest City in the West.” A stop by the Depot Museum (1) in the former Union Pacific Railroad depot building will also reveal relics from this time period. As you mull over these stories of scandals and triumphs, walk part of the 19-mile-long South Platte River Trail, peppered with Pony Express stops and pioneer landmarks. Bring your binoculars; sightings of warblers, vireos and other birds are highly likely. The region’s two harvest seasons — July for wheat and October for corn and beets — promote excellent hunting conditions as well. Stop by the Julesburg Family Market for a hunting license and directions to key spots, or just enjoy the abundant game found along the river and among the fields. Or choose to join the race fans flocking to the Julesburg Dragstrip. The quarter-mile section of pavement becomes a launch pad for hot rods and dates back to the late 1950s when the Platte Valley Customs Club started the local tradition. STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Julesburg QUICK TIP Many visitors come for excellent tailwater fly-fishing along the South Platte Riverstrong text throughout the year.
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